Salida Creativity Lab

Safety Net — Chaffee County Community Foundation Beginning in early 2025, working with the Chaffee County Leadership Roundtable, CCCF convened the Safety Net Leaders Group — a coalition of leaders from organizations and agencies that provide essential, immediate-needs services across Chaffee County. The group works together to ensure our communi...

Visit Chaffee County Community Foundation Safety Net https://www.chaffeecommunity.org/safetynet

🕯️Undas❤️‍🔥

The Returning Souls: A Filipino Undas Tradition of Homecoming

Every year in the Philippines, as the cool winds of November begin to touch the air, a sacred belief awakens among Filipino families — that during Undas (All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day), the spirits of their departed loved ones return home. This is not merely superstition but a deep cultural tradition, a blend of faith, love, and remembrance passed down through generations.

On the eve of November 1 and 2, many Filipino households prepare their tables not just for the living, but also for the souls who once filled their homes with laughter. Plates of rice, pancit, native kakanin, and a cup of hot coffee or tsokolate are placed on the dining table or altar — untouched through the night. It is believed that the spirits visit in silence, partaking in the aroma and essence of the food offered with love.

In some provinces, families still light candles by the window or near doorways to guide wandering souls back to their homes. The flickering flame serves as a beacon — a light of remembrance, faith, and hope. In the stillness of the night, elders often whisper, “Welcome home, we remember you.” It is their way of telling the unseen that they are not forgotten.

Children are taught to behave respectfully during these nights. Making loud noises or mocking ghostly tales is frowned upon, as it is said that doing so disturbs the spirits. The atmosphere in Filipino homes during Undas is a mixture of solemn peace and quiet reverence. It’s a time when the boundary between the living and the dead feels thin — not frightening, but sacred.

Old stories tell of those who have felt the presence of their loved ones — a faint scent of perfume, the creak of a chair, or a breeze passing gently through the curtains. These subtle signs are taken as blessings, reminders that love transcends even death.

What makes this tradition uniquely Filipino is its warmth. Instead of fear, there is affection. Instead of darkness, there is light. For the Filipino, Undas is not just about mourning the dead — it’s about welcoming them home, even for just one night. It’s a reunion of hearts, seen and unseen.

As dawn breaks and the candles burn out, the food is not thrown away but shared with the family, symbolizing that both the living and the dead are part of one continuous circle. In every spoonful and every prayer, the memory of those who came before is kept alive.

In essence, The Returning Souls is a reflection of the Filipino soul — resilient, loving, and deeply rooted in faith. It is a story that reminds us that death is not an end, but a quiet homecoming.

📜 Disclaimer:
This narrative is created for educational and cultural purposes only. It aims to preserve and explain the traditional Filipino belief surrounding Undas — specifically, the practice of preparing food for visiting souls — as part of the country’s intangible cultural heritage. It does not intend to promote or validate supernatural claims, but to honor the Filipino spirit of remembrance, family, and respect for the departed.

It's almost time! Money Mark and DJ Jester the Filipino Fist in Salida during FILIPINO MODERN ! Saturday, Oct 18. 8pm. Salida SteamPlant Event Center

Tix $15 on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/filipino-modern-concert-money-mark-dj-jester-the-filipino-fist-tickets-1722745731859

🎹 Money Mark and DJ Jester the Filipino Fist ✊🏽 are coming to Salida, Colorado! Join us in the mountains Saturday, October 18 for FILIPINO MODERN.

🗓️Saturday, October 18
⌚ Doors 8pm
📍 Salida SteamPlant Ballroom
230 W Sackett Ave, Salida CO
🎟️ Tix $15 on Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/filipino-modern-concert-money-mark-dj-jester-the-filipino-fist-tickets-1722745731859

🎹 Money Mark
Mark Ramos Nish*ta, is a composer, musician, inventor and American music producer credited with several top tens and number ones on the Billboard charts in several categories. MM is the unofficial ‘Fourth Beastie Boy’ and has written/performed and recorded with David Byrne, Karen O, Jack White, Atarashii Gakko!, Miley Cyrus, Conan Gray, Yoko Ono, Beck, MF Doom, De La Soul and too many more to name.

✊🏽 DJ Jester the Filipino Fist
Longtime performer for SXSW, nominated for Best DJ in the Austin Chronicle's Austin Music Awards. DJ for GRAND BUFFET. Toured with MGMT, of Montreal, Kid Koala, and Third Eye Blind. Opened for William Shatner at SXSW and Dolly Parton herself chose DJ Jester's version of the "Jolene Challenge" for the Netflix commercial to promo her film.

🗡️🤺We'll be doing a Sword Fighting Workshop at Salida Fantasy Faire! Learn sword basics for the stage with professional fight director Ms. Tina. A brief intro and demo to sword fighting for the stage. Best for ages 9/10+ to adult. Bring your pretend swords only such as a wooden dowel at least 3/4" thick or a wooden or foam sword. Some dowels will be available to borrow. Arrive a little early to warm up your body, find a spot, and enjoy the music. Saturday, October 11, 11:00am-11:30am at Salida Fantasy Faire. Alpine Park during Salida Farmers Market.

It's time to plan your excursion to Fantasy Faire! The faire will be during the Farmers Market, so even if you're just shopping for veggies remember to wear your elf ears and wizard hat!

The Filipino food dish pancit by Eddie Sandoval and The Asian Palate will be available at the free daytime event Saturday October 18 from 11am-1pm during FILIPINO MODERN at the Salida SteamPlant Event Center. Then later at the evening event, hear Eddie as he talks about his creative work in the community as chef, restaurant owner, and concert manager for the Surf Hotel. The daytime event is free, no ticket required. For tickets to the evening events, see https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/filipino-modern-events-4662183

Please join us as Brynn Ronning Sandoval presents the Filipino children's book The Little Chairs, written by Jazmin Parcon Sandoval with illustrations by Brynn at the FILIPINO MODERN free daytime Saturday, October 18 between 11:00am and 1:00pm at the Salida SteamPlant Event Center featuring cultural activities, crafts, stories, and dance for all ages. The Filipino dish pancit by Eddie Sandoval and The Asian Palate will also be available.