At Talisay City cemetery

November 2nd, 2005

For the past years, me and my family as well as my cousins do this 1st of November ritual visiting the cemetery at night. As always, the atmosphere here is always festive: from the proliferation of vendors selling everything from foodstuffs to knicknacks to services like prayers, mobile prepaid e-load and others, people from all walks of life, orientation, and strata in society converge in this yearly event to honor the dead. Loudspeakers blaring, people laughing, strumming guitars, feasting on food prepared or bought, and prayers and rosaries.

For those who don’t visit during the night, they can always do that the next day.

Tradition dictates that every 1st of November at night, (a) candle/s is lighted at the main entrance/doorway/walkway of houses to welcome the spirits of one’s ancestors. Here in my city, its a common sight as one travels from the house to the cemetery. But not all observe this one.

Inasal (or lechon or roast pig) is proudly displayed. Food vendors line the narrow path to the cemetery’s entrance selling different viands, bibingka (rice cake), barbecued pork/chicken squid/fish/chicken balls and softdrinks.

The covered walkway near the main entrance of the cemetery.

A flower and candle vendor waiting for customers.

Grave apartments as people stream by.

The grave plots at the main section of the cemetery. The bamboo poles are used to hold the electric wires for the bulbs.

For those weary of going from plot to plot or conserve on candles for all dead relatives or those dead that are not in the cemetery, one can always go to the large cross and light a candle there for all spirits