As Filipinos observe All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the familiar traditions of lighting candles, offering flowers and visiting cemeteries are increasingly finding a place alongside digital expressions of remembrance.

Social media platforms, particularly Facebook, have become spaces where some Filipinos share memories of deceased relatives, offer condolences and take part in online prayer gatherings, extending the observance of Undas beyond cemeteries and family homes.

A 2025 study published in The Filipino Family Physician examined how 10 bereaved Filipino adults used Facebook to cope with the loss of loved ones.

Participants described changing their profile pictures to images of candles, joining online prayer gatherings known as “padasal” and attending virtual wakes, or “lamay,” through video calls.

The study found that messages of sympathy from friends and other users helped ease the emotional burden of bereavement. Interactions with people who had experienced similar losses also helped participants feel less isolated in their grief.

Although the research involved only a small group and cannot represent the experiences of all grieving Filipinos, it highlights how social media has become another avenue for expressing sympathy and maintaining connections during periods of mourning.

Technology has also provided practical ways to observe Undas, particularly for families seeking to locate the graves of relatives.

The Manila city government has encouraged the public to use its online grave-finding service for the Manila North and South Cemeteries, allowing visitors to search for burial locations before making their trips.

Digital religious services also gained attention during cemetery closures in 2021. Online options included the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Undas Online platform, which allowed users to light virtual candles, and parish Masses streamed through Facebook Live, according to GMA News reports at the time.

The growing use of digital platforms for mourning reflects the country’s extensive social media activity. Active Android users in the Philippines spent an average of about one hour and 31 minutes daily on Facebook, according to DataReportal’s Digital 2026 report.

But online expressions of grief have limitations.

Participants in the 2025 study emphasized that virtual interactions could not replace physical gestures of comfort, particularly the embrace of family members and friends during a wake.

The study’s authors recommended establishing guidelines for digital mourning and creating online spaces that take Filipino cultural practices into account.

The shift toward online remembrance also raises questions about how people use social media to express grief, particularly the distinction between sharing memories for personal comfort and turning loss into a public display.

For many families, digital platforms offer an additional way to remember those who have died, especially when distance or other circumstances make physical visits difficult.

Still, the traditional observance of Undas remains rooted in gathering with relatives, visiting graves and offering prayers for the departed.

Virtual candles and online prayers may extend these practices, but they do not necessarily replace the personal connections and shared experiences that have long defined the Filipino tradition of remembering loved ones.

The debate over children’s access to social media is gaining ground in the Philippines, with lawmakers divided over whether users should be barred from the platforms until they turn 13 or 18.

The Senate and House of Representatives have approved separate measures seeking to restrict minors’ access to social media, reflecting growing concerns about online safety, cyberbullying, exploitation and exposure to harmful content.

The Senate approved Senate Bill 2424, or the SMART KIDS Act, by a vote of 16-1, with Senator Risa Hontiveros casting the lone dissenting vote.

The measure would prohibit individuals below 18 from accessing age-restricted social media platforms and require users to verify their ages through government-issued identification.

It would exempt services such as email, private messaging, educational platforms, news services and gaming applications, The Filipino Times reported.

The House adopted a less restrictive approach, approving House Bill 11566, or the SAFE KIDS Act, by a vote of 287-3 on Oct. 12.

The proposed measure would prohibit children below 13 from accessing social media, while allowing those aged 13 to under 18 to use the platforms under restrictions.

The two chambers must reconcile their differing age limits through a bicameral conference committee before the proposed legislation can be submitted to the president for approval.

Neither measure has become law.

Safety concerns versus access to technology

Supporters of the restrictions argue that younger users face risks from cyberbullying, online grooming, sexual exploitation and exposure to inappropriate material.

Online fraud is another concern. A Global Anti-Scam Alliance survey cited in the report found that one in five parents said their child had been victimized by a scam.

The proposed restrictions are intended to strengthen safeguards for minors as their use of digital platforms becomes more widespread.

But critics have questioned whether a broad prohibition would adequately address the risks while preserving the benefits children and families derive from online communication.

Hontiveros warned that restricting access could affect young people’s opportunities to earn income online and limit communication among families, particularly those with members working overseas.

She also raised concerns about the potential impact on the ability of users to report abuse, the Daily Tribune reported.

Experts question blanket restrictions

Mental health specialists and child welfare advocates have also called for a more targeted approach to regulating social media use among minors.

Dr. Anthony Grecia of the Philippine Mental Health Association said there was no clear scientific evidence establishing that social media directly causes violent behavior among young people.

Ace Diloy of the Stairway Foundation, meanwhile, advocated addressing potentially harmful platform features rather than relying solely on age-based restrictions.

These include infinite scrolling and algorithm-driven recommendations, which can influence the type and volume of content users encounter, The Manila Times reported.

The differing positions highlight a broader challenge for policymakers: protecting children from online harm without unnecessarily restricting access to information, communication and other digital opportunities.

The role of parents and schools

While lawmakers work toward a common version of the proposed legislation, families and schools remain important in helping children navigate online spaces.

Parents, teachers and older siblings can take an active role by discussing the content children encounter, understanding the applications they use and recognizing how online interactions affect their well-being.

Setting limits on screen time, including keeping meals free from electronic devices, can also encourage healthier digital habits.

Regular conversations about online experiences may help children identify inappropriate behavior, recognize potential scams and seek assistance when they encounter harmful content.

Ultimately, legislation can establish minimum safeguards, but protecting children online also requires continued guidance and involvement from families, educators and the wider community.

The Manila city government is urging residents to use its online grave locator services to find burial sites at the Manila North and South cemeteries ahead of the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1 and 2.

The digital services, known as Puntod Finder, allow users to search for deceased relatives by name and identify their burial locations, potentially reducing the time spent navigating the cemeteries during the annual influx of visitors.

The online locator for Manila North Cemetery is available at https://manilanorthcemetery.ph, while the Manila South Cemetery service can be accessed at https://manilasouthcemetery.com.

The tools may help families who have not visited burial sites for several years or no longer remember the exact locations of their relatives’ graves.

Visitors are advised to check search results before travelling and ensure they are using the website corresponding to the correct cemetery.

Manila South Cemetery will be open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, according to the information provided.

The city government also advised visitors to check cemetery announcements for operating schedules, entry requirements, vehicle restrictions and deadlines for cleaning or painting tombs.

Cemetery visits during Undas often involve large crowds and extended walking distances. Families are encouraged to allow additional travel time, bring drinking water and wear comfortable footwear.

The online locator is intended to help visitors organize their trips, particularly those accompanying senior citizens, children and relatives who may have difficulty walking across large cemetery grounds.

Undas is an annual Filipino tradition in which families visit the graves of departed relatives to offer prayers, flowers and candles and spend time remembering loved ones.