Millions of Filipinos go to cemetery to remember their dead
In the country, it is traditional to spend the night between 1 and 2 November in prayer near the tombs of their deceased dear ones. From Manila alone, 500,000 people are expected to pay a visit to the cemetery.
Manila (AsiaNews) Millions of Filipino Catholics visited cemeteries across the country yesterday and today to remember those who have died and to pray at their graves. Many, as per local tradition, spent the night in prayer between 1 and 2 November near the graves of their loved ones.
An estimated 30,000 people are at the Manila North Cemetery and the figure is expected to double within the day, while there are 50,000 people in the Manila South Cemetery. According to a local television channel, around 500,000 people from the capital will visit the cemetery in all.
Laudemer Angeles, who spent the night by the tomb of his grandfather, said: "This time is very important for us. We only do this once a year and it's a time when all members of the family can gather for a reunion."
It is a national tradition to bring families together to remember the dead and to spend two days remembering relatives who have died.
Some people were alarmed by the high levels of security put in place for fear of attacks but the police chief, Oscar Calderon, told AsiaNews the days had passed "without incident".
He said he was "satisfied" with the conduct of his men and described these two days as a "dry-run for Christmas" when possible Muslim attacks are feared.
Muslim cemeteries were also crowded. Here, however, numbers of visitors reached their peak for the feast of Eid'l Fitr, which closes the holy month of Ramadan and is partly dedicated to remembering those who have died.
.png)
02/11/2005
