In San Carlos City, Pangasinan, a unique tradition of singing prayers for the dead, known as "Kanturís," is still alive, albeit fading slowly with time.

Instead of the usual prayers, Teresita Muñoz offers songs as her way of praying for the deceased.

The tradition, passed down from her ancestors, is now a rare practice during Undas.

Only a few practitioners remain, with Muñoz estimating that around 20 people, mostly older, still offer the service.

“Kami lang po natitira, siguro nasa 20 na po kami dito. May mga young na gusto din mag-aral. Pag may kamag-anak ka gustong mag-aral, tuturuan mo para tuloy-tuloy yung tradisyon,” she said.

They charge between P100 to P200 for the service.

Despite the declining number of practitioners, families still seek out the Kanturís in the belief that these prayers help bring their loved ones closer to God.

“Mangilan-ngilan pero dito sa San Carlos tuwing Undas, inalala namin yung kamatayan ng aming magulang, maghahanda ka, tapos padadasal mo,” Marilyn Germino, a resident, said.

Even the Catholic Church supports this practice, noting that songs can also be a form of prayer.

“Kadalasan, yung dinadasal nila ay basic prayers ng ating pananampalataya. Binabanggit sa panalangin na sana yung mahal na yumao ay nasa piling ng Diyos,” Rev. Fr. Jerald Jimenez of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, said.