Filipinos visit departed loved ones on All Saints’ Day

ON All Saints’ Day, November 1, more Filipinos trooped to the Manila North Cemetery and the Manila South Cemetery with flowers and candles to pay respect to their departed family members.

According to the Manila Police District (MPD), crowd estimates at the Manila North Cemetery reached 705,000 as of Friday noon. Meanwhile, the Manila South Cemetery has tallied more than 26,000 visitors, as of 12 noon.

The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) shared closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showing long queues at the entrance of the cemeteries.

The MDRRMO put up a first aid station at the Manila North Cemetery and the Manila South Cemetery, with a medical response team going around these areas to aid visitors who need quick medical care.

The Manila City Social Welfare also set up a help desk at the Manila North Cemetery’s entrance, where parents will have to register their kids and get their name tags for easy identification, if lost.

The Manila local government unit (LGU) recorded a total of 110,030 visitors at the Manila North Cemetery, while the Manila South Cemetery received 21,697 total visitors, as of 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 31.

Both cemeteries are open from October 30 to November 3, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Manila LGU has advised visitors that no vehicles will be allowed entry into the cemeteries on the said dates. Burials and cremations are also temporarily suspended.

Weather update

State weather bureau PAGASA downgraded Leon to a severe tropical storm as it exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

However, cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms may still be experienced in Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan due to the trough of severe tropical storm Kong-Rey (formerly Leon).

Meanwhile, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms are expected in Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

Marcos Jr.’s ‘Undas’ message

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. joined Filipinos in commemorating All Saint’s Day and All Souls’ Day, hoping that it would rekindle them to be “better persons, better Filipinos, and better stewards.”

The Chief Executive said these occasions would allow individuals to strengthen their bonds “for the betterment of our spiritual life, not only with the divine but also with one another.”

He encouraged them to offer their heartfelt prayers and express gratitude to their departed loved ones for impacting their lives.

“May this remind us of the values that shall endure through us as a nation: faith, resilience, and hope,” Marcos said.

He continued, “Reflecting on our journey in this world, let us strive to live with love and compassion for others, ever seeking the common good, just as the saints and our loved ones did in their time.”