Quick answer: Undas, also known as All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day, falls on 1 November and is one of the most important dates in the Filipino calendar. For the large Filipino community in the UAE, it’s a time to honour relatives back home by sending funds for grave upkeep, candles, food and family gatherings, even when travel isn’t possible. Because 1 November is a public holiday in the Philippines, it’s worth planning transfers a day or two in advance to avoid delays.
For millions of Filipinos, the first days of November are set aside for remembrance. Cemeteries fill with families cleaning headstones, lighting candles and sharing meals beside the graves of loved ones. It’s a tradition that blends grief with celebration, and one that carries deep meaning regardless of where in the world a Filipino family happens to be.
The UAE is home to one of the largest overseas Filipino worker (OFW) populations anywhere in the world. For many of these workers, returning to the Philippines for Undas simply isn’t possible. Flights, leave allowances and work schedules don’t always align with the holiday, so instead of travelling home, many choose to send money to family members who can carry out the traditions on their behalf.
This guide looks at what Undas means, how it’s observed, and what Filipinos in the UAE should know about supporting their families financially during this period.
What is Undas and why is it significant to Filipino families?
Undas is the Filipino term for the combined observance of All Saints’ Day (1 November) and All Souls’ Day (2 November). While the Catholic Church marks these as two distinct feast days, in Philippine culture they tend to blend into a single, extended period of remembrance.
Families visit cemeteries to clean and repaint headstones, lay flowers, and light candles for departed relatives. Many stay well into the evening, turning the cemetery into a gathering place filled with food, music and quiet conversation. For Filipino communities, Undas isn’t a solemn, private affair. It’s a shared, communal act of remembrance.
How do OFWs in the UAE typically observe Undas from abroad?
Distance doesn’t stop most OFWs from taking part in Undas. Instead, their involvement usually shifts from physical presence to financial support. Common contributions include:
- Grave maintenance costs – paying for cleaning, repainting or repairs ahead of the holiday
- Candles and flowers – covering the cost of items placed at the gravesite
- Food for gatherings – funding the meals shared by family members during cemetery visits
- Travel expenses for relatives – helping family members travel from other provinces to join the observance
Because so many workers contribute in this way, the days leading up to 1 November consistently rank among the busiest remittance periods in the Philippine calendar.
Why does Undas create one of the year’s biggest sending peaks?
Undas falls into a predictable pattern each year, and that predictability shapes how families budget and plan around it. Unlike unexpected expenses, Undas-related costs, like grave upkeep, candles and food, are anticipated well in advance, which means many OFWs schedule their support to arrive in the days just before 1 November.
This creates a concentrated period of financial activity as families prepare simultaneously for the same event nationwide. For workers in the UAE supporting relatives back home, this is often one of the most reliable and anticipated moments to provide extra support beyond a regular monthly contribution.
Are banks open in the Philippines and the UAE during Undas?
This is one of the most practical questions for anyone planning to send money around this time, and the answer differs depending on which country you’re looking at.
In the Philippines, 1 November is a regular public holiday, and 2 November is often declared a special non-working day. Philippine banks are generally closed on 1 November, which can affect when funds become available or when transfers are processed.
In the UAE, neither date is a public holiday, so UAE banks operate as normal. This means the delay, if there is one, typically occurs on the receiving end in the Philippines rather than the sending end in the UAE.
What should Filipinos in the UAE consider when sending money before Undas?
Given the holiday closures in the Philippines, a little planning goes a long way. Consider the following:
- Send a day or two early. Since Philippine banks close on 1 November, initiating a transfer earlier in the week helps ensure funds are available when family members need them for cemetery visits or gatherings.
- Check processing times. Processing speeds can vary depending on the receiving bank or payout method, and holiday closures may extend these slightly.
- Communicate with family. Letting relatives know when to expect funds helps them plan grave cleaning, candle purchases and gatherings without last-minute stress.
- Factor in the weekend. If 1 November falls near a weekend, combined closures could extend the delay further, so it’s worth checking the 2026 calendar specifically.
None of this requires complicated preparation. It simply means being aware that a Philippine public holiday can briefly affect banking hours, even though everything continues as normal in the UAE.
Honouring family, wherever you are
Undas is ultimately about connection, whether that connection is expressed by kneeling beside a grave or by making sure a family back home has what they need to do so. For Filipinos in the UAE, distance doesn’t diminish the tradition. It simply changes the way it’s carried out.
As 2026 approaches, taking a few extra days to plan ahead of the 1 November holiday can make the difference between a smooth, well-supported Undas and a stressful, last-minute scramble. Families remembering loved ones deserve that peace of mind.
FAQ
What is Undas?
Undas is the Filipino term for the combined observance of All Saints’ Day (1 November) and All Souls’ Day (2 November), when families visit cemeteries to clean graves, light candles and gather to remember departed loved ones.
Why do OFWs in the UAE send money for Undas?
Many overseas Filipino workers in the UAE cannot travel home for the holiday, so they send money instead to cover grave maintenance, candles, flowers, food and travel costs for relatives attending cemetery gatherings.
Are Philippine banks closed on 1 November?
Yes. 1 November is a public holiday in the Philippines, and 2 November is often observed as a special non-working day, both of which can affect banking hours and transfer processing times.
Are UAE banks closed for Undas?
No. Undas isn’t a public holiday in the UAE, so UAE banks continue to operate as normal on both 1 and 2 November.
When should I send money ahead of Undas 2026?
Sending funds a day or two before 1 November is generally recommended, since Philippine bank closures on the holiday itself can delay when funds become accessible to family members.
