Recuerda y celebra el Dia de los Muertos Event to honor and commemorate the departed

BY ANASTASIYA OREL Reporter

Bright red and yellow marigold flowers, candles, photos of the departed, food, drinks and sugar skulls are popular ofrendas used to remember and celebrate deceased loved ones on Dia De Los Muertos.

Pierce College’s Associated Students Organization (ASO) hosted a Dia De Los Muertos event for students, faculty and staff to celebrate the annual Mexican holiday.

Acting Vice President of Student Services Juan Carlos Astorga said this event is important and demonstrates vulnerability in those who connect with the LACCD and Pierce community and leadership.

“Last night as I was giving my son a kiss on the forehead it made me think about how many of my ancestors have passed on that love through the forehead, my father and his parents, elders before him and others,” Astorga said. “That’s the beauty, the significance of what we share, how we acknowledge, and how we spend time with each other and share space to honor those who have passed.”

Astorga said this day allows him to remember and welcome the memories and emotions of those in his family who had passed.

“My grandmother had also passed and she used to always have these double entendres, so her humor was passed down to me,” Astorga said. “All of a sudden, I find myself speaking moments and words and emotions, and it automatically reminds me that my voice is my grandmother’s and the messages are from her.”

Astorga said that acknowledging and welcoming those who have passed on shows the beauty of Dia De Los Muertos. This day allows the community to establish a connection of reminiscing the stories, the laughter, and the love that is shared.

LACCD Chancellor

Fransisco Rodriguez said this event has enabled him to further connect with the Pierce community and family.

“I’ve used the word ‘soul vaccination’ in a variety of opportunities and this is another one,” Rodriguez said. “This is where we get nourished. This is where we get informed. This is where we get grounded with our community and continue the line of work.”

Rodriguez said the holiday is a historical celebration and demonstrates the early roots of the Aztecs in Central Mexico.

“The Aztecs had their own goddess of the dead. and they said she watches over the bones of the dead and swallows the stars during the day,” Rodriguez said. “The Aztec temples remain a key symbol in the traditions that have continued for more than six centuries in this annual celebration.”

Fransisco said that the indigenous tradition of the Americas recognized that life and death is a duality and that it is not something to be feared. Dia De Los Muertos implements the blending of history, culture, and religion with major symbols and motifs.

Chicano Studies professor Angelita Rovero introduced World Renown Artist and Community Activist Levi Ponce and 2014 Grammy Award Winner La Marisoul & Friends to illustrate representation of Dia De Los Muertos with artwork and music.

Rovero said this event has further enabled her students to feel more welcome, involved, and recognized with their hardships and memories. She ended the zoom meeting with a brief slideshow of pictures her students took of their Dia

De Los Muertos altars.

“I’m grateful that students have an outlet in a class like this and to write about their pain. It’s a form of healing,” Rovero said. “It really was their heart and souls in their family members, and you could tell there was a lot of care and detail for people they maybe didn’t even know. They were able to celebrate life and give beautiful stories about their family members.”