By Minka Tiangco and Jhon Casinas
A holiday dedicated to the dead sounds like a gloomy event, but the opposite can be seen at the La Loma Catholic Cemetery in Caloocan City.
(Minka Tiangco/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Thousands of people braved the sweltering heat to visit their dearly departed at the cemetery, bringing everyone along, from the oldest member of their family to their family pets.
Cemetery-goers had picnics on blankets laid on the grass or on benches around the cemetery.
Food and drink stalls lined the sidewalks leading to the cemetery entrance.
Meanwhile, visitors could also take selfies inside the famed pink coffin of the St. Peter Life Plan Chapels inside the cemetery.
Flower and candle stalls also stood around the cemetery, where cemetery-goers could buy flowers at P25 to P50 per bundle and candles at P20 to P35 per piece.
Meanwhile, cemetery-goers peacefully observed All Saints’ Day at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.
The quite and solemn cemetery on a regular day along A. Bonifacio Avenue became alive and vibrant on November 1 due to various species of flowers in different sizes and colors brought by the visitors inside the park.
Equipped with tents that can accommodate eight to 15 persons, visitors only shrugged off the heat of the sun and joyfully shared a meal with their families.
Some even welcomed halloween inside the cemetery where the spent the night on mats, folding beds and camping tents right beside their departed loved ones.