Rough Groove

need for cash

From a Metrobank ad in Mabuhay, an in flight magazine of Philippine Airlines:

“The farther you are, the more exciting things you’ll discover, the more you’ll need cash.”

The great move - point of no return

1820H and the plane started its cruise through the runway and eventually ascending to the dark skies. Slowly, the lights of Mactan International Airport started to get smaller and smaller as the evening skyline of Cebu came into veiw. Higher and higher, as the plane climbed to thousands of feet above, the city lights got dimmer and dimmer until it just faded away. Total, utter darkness outside the window.

We’re already at the point of no return.

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Palina

Traditional beliefs dictate that if ever one enters a cemetery, upon going out, he should do the palina, a short ritual done by passing over smoke. This is to keep the spirits from following you to the house. These boys are an enterprising lot. For the effort of preparing the pampalina, they are asking for a peso, voluntarily.

Photos taken at Calamba cemetery.

Vendors at the cemetery

And who can count out the ever present vendors?

Adlaw sa mga Patay (All souls day)

Was at Calamba (day) cemetery for photo ops. Already, people were streaming in, just like in most cemeteries in the country, to honor the dead. Its still chaotic, with some people still cleaning their kins’ grave, some cutting grass, some doing electrical wirings to light when night came while others were already lighting candles and chanting prayers.

1900H together with my younger brother and cousins, we went to the Talisay cemetery where our departed kin are buried. Entering, you are greeted with the beautiful sight of hundreds and hundreds of candles lighted atop graves. People chatting, laughing, eating, playing cards, praying, singing.

Calamba cemetery

Talisay cemetery