Quezon City cemeteries see thousands of visitors on Undas

MANILA — Around 60,000 visitors paid their respects to their departed loved ones on All Saints’ Day at Bagbag Public Cemetery, one of the largest cemeteries in Quezon City. 

Nearby Holy Cross Memorial Park also recorded more than 30,000 people.

Among them was Elsie Osias, who chose to light candles at a nearby cemetery because she could not afford the fare to travel home to Negros Occidental, where her parents and siblings are laid to rest.

“Para sa mga mahal ko sa buhay na nasa malayo, kasi mahal ang pamasahe di ko na siya napuntahan sila mga magulang ko, kapatid. So dito na lang, kahit papaano, mapaabot namin yung sa pagmamahal sa kanila at sa simpleng pagsindi ng kandila, bulaklak,” she said.

The Bagbag Public Cemetery also displayed a memorial marker for the 200 victims of the 2000 Payatas landslide tragedy, where visitors lit candles in remembrance of those who lost their lives.

The cemetery administration expects around 350,000 visitors over the long weekend. More than 150 force multipliers were also deployed to help ensure the safety of cemeterygoers.

“Hindi katulad dati. Ngayon medyo okay kasi yung mga tao hindi masyadong siksik,” Elsie said, noting the more organized flow of visitors this year.

The Quezon City Police District said the observance of All Saints’ Day across cemeteries in the city remained generally peaceful.

“Generally peaceful as of this time and manageable naman po yung sitwasyon ng undas dito sa buong Quezon City. Naging maayos po ang paggunita ng ating mga kababayan sa kanilang mga yumaong mahal sa buhay,” QCPD PIO Chief PMAJ. Jennifer Gannaban said.