All Souls Day

What are some of the holidays and traditions you have [in the Philippines] that we don't know about?

The only thing I know of is All Souls Day. It is the day after Halloween. Sometimes they have a parade. Most people just take the day off. Many go to mass. The Catholic church has so many holidays for different saints. This one is for all those saints without a specific day of their own. Christmas is a big thing here.. not Santa Claus, but the whole season. They are now singing Christmas songs in the stores and in Sacrament [meeting].

Life sure is different here. People are usually kind and happy. They may not have much worldly things, but they are happy.  The sad part I have found is the lack of education for so many and the lackof good jobs.
We are going to help one young man with enough tuition to graduate from high school. He is 16. He is smart. His brother is 18. He went to Manila to work because the father can't. His health is really bad. The older brother will support the family for now. The mother is dead. The older sister is working in Manila. Their house is a bamboo hut sitting on the edge of a mosquito filled swamp.  The others in the "house" I think are cousins.  I really admire this family. They make opportunity out of necessity.
We are well. [Sister Stamps] is tired tonight. We went to san carlos to find an ATM and do some shopping. Tomorrow we will be at the church.  It is not boring here.
Please take care of the family.