All Saints Day In The Phils

[outwest77]

Found the below article on one of the news online sites, Fascinating
how the halloween as we call it, is treated in the RP, but as we all know, the phils is like nothing else on earth.

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Fernando bans vendors, liquor, cards, radios from cemeteries

By Ben Gines Jr.
Tuesday, 10/29/2002

Vending and other commercial activities along the sidewalks inside cemeteries will be strictly prohibited for the convenience of people who are expected to troop there on All Saints' Day.

"I have instructed the policemen and traffic enforcers to make sure that sidewalks and walkways are cleared of any obstruction," Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando yesterday said.

"We will also ban all types of liquor, game card, radio and the only thing we will allow are public address systems that will be installed by the police in securing the place," Fernando added.

Government law enforcement agencies were tasked to enforce the liquor ban and keep tight watch on smuggling of deadly weapons inside the cemeteries.

Only authorized public address systems to be manned by volunteers and policemen will be allowed to assist people trooping to the cemeteries.

At least 1,700 policemen from the National Capital Regional Police Office, augmented by 20 K-9 dogs, will be deployed to beef up MMDA traffic enforcers and members of the Traffic Enforcement Group under Senior Supt. Luisito Maralit.

Maralit said he ordered all the five district traffic directors to man their posts, conduct patrols and be wary of packages being left behind by people.

He added all packages left unattended will be subjected to scrutiny by bomb squad. He urged the people not to leave anything behind.

Strict security measures were also adopted inside bus terminals by the authorities.

In Muntinlupa City, Task Force Oplan Kaluluwa has been put in place to ensure peace and order in the city during the holidays.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said the task force is headed by city administrator Henry Reyes together with city police chief Col. Erasto Sanchez and Community Affairs Office head Silverio Taloma.

There are seven major cemeteries in the city where three are located at Soldier's Hills; one in Buli; the Everest Cemetery in Susana Heights; the New Bilibid Prisons Cemetery, and the Aguilar Cemetery in Putatan.

The task force is composed of personnel of the Traffic Environment and Discipline Office, Rescue, Environment Sanitation Council, Public Order and Safety Office, City Health Office and the city police.

It will operate from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 and it will put up centers at each of the above-mentioned cemeteries in the city to be able to attend immediately to the needs of the people.

Reyes said the City Health Office will administer first aid measures to would-be patients and those needing further medical attention will be taken to hospitals by the rescue group.

[Dave H]

... in response to All Saints Day In The Phils, posted by outwest77 on Oct 28, 2002

[This message has been edited by Dave H]

Hey Outwest,

Several years ago, I was in the Philippines during All Saints and All Souls Days. It was certainly unlike anything I had ever experienced before. We rented a jeepney to take some of my wife's (fiancée at the time) family from the barangay to the cemetery. Needless to say, we didn't all fit so some climbed up on the roof and others clung to the back. I attempted to climb to the roof with several of the other "bad boys," but my wife insisted that I ride inside with the old men, women, children, and gays. My male ego was bruised, but after several kilometers racing through the winding mountain roads, I was happy that she was so protective of me. I still protested mildly, reminding her that I had clung to fire trucks that flew through the streets with sirens blarring and lights flashing for many years. She smiled at me and said that she was determined to send me home to my sons safely and in one piece. I didn't push the issue too much...out of  fear that she might throw me up on the roof herself for the return trip. When we reached the cemetery, the carnival-like atmosphere caught me off guard. Everyone was in a festive mood. Vendors sold the expected flowers and candles. Much to my surprise, Dunkin Donuts, toys, San Miguel, Tanduay Rhum, roasted pig, and just about anything you could imagine, was also being sold. A disco blasted loud music as teens danced away the time. At the gravesides, the mood was more somber as families trimmed the grass and plants and cleaned up the area. Men and boys came by and offered to help for a small fee. Gravestones and tombs were whitewashed with bright fresh paint. Candles were lit and prayers were said. Afterward, the mood picked up as people socialized, joked around and ate. In the air I could smell the scent of pigs roasting beside the graves. I had seen the cemetery days earlier and had wondered why some of the tombs were so elaborate. With aircon, benches, kitchens and TVs, I suspected that some of the dead had much beter facilities than many of their living relatives. I now realized it was for the comfort of the living, as they celebrated for hours (some overnight) and remembered their loved ones during these holidays. It was nice to see the famlies together and had never seen this many people in a cemetery in America. It wasn't even a funeral. That evening I turned on the TV news and heard about the violence that occurred at some cemeteries throughout the Philippines. Many people were injured and several were killed. The police searched people before they entered certain cemeteries and confiscated weapons. One scene showed a table full of knives, clubs, and even guns. Most fights were probably the result of an over consumption of alcohol. I suppose that some of the fights were long standing feuds, perhaps a few were seeking revenge for the death of a loved one. No problems with the NPA or Abu Saayaf that I can recall. All Saints and All Souls Days in the Philippines is certainly an experience that I will never forget.

Dave H.

[joemc]

... in response to All Saints &  All Souls Days PI Styl..., posted by Dave H on Oct 29, 2002

Hey Dave,
    My first trip to the P.I. was in the month of
    October. What I can remenber instead of hand-outs
    of candy. I handed out coins.
                                    joemcbo