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Source: abs-cbnnews.com

-- Millions of Filipino Christians went to cemeteries nationwide on Sunday to visit their departed loved ones in observance of All Saints’ Day especially after good weather conditions prevailed.

Despite the heat, a steady stream of people went to the Manila North Cemetery to visit their departed loved ones Sunday.

An estimated 2 million people were expected to visit the cemetery during All Saints’ Day.

Despite the lines however, Manila officials and the National Capital Region Police Office reported that a generally orderly and peaceful observance of All Saints’ Day was held.

Aside from seizing knives, scissors and forks, police stationed at the cemetery's entry points have confiscated belts with big metal buckles which were considered as weapons. All metal implements were generally disallowed inside the cemetery's premises

Some pickpockets were also arrested.

Most of the cases reported in first aid stations involved nausea, heat stroke, dehydration, and exhaustion.

Despite repeated appeals, garbage is also starting to pile up in the inner roads and streets in the country's largest public cemetery. The cemetery's management has reiterated its appeal for cleanliness.

Meantime as people continue to make their way into the cemetery, more and more people on the other hand are starting to make their way home which more or less ease congestion inside the cemetery.

For those planning to still go to the cemetery Sunday night, they were advised to bring umbrellas and sweaters as weather reports have it that the cold wind from Siberia have already entered the Philippine atmosphere.

South Cemetery

Meanwhile tens of thousands also flocked South Cemetery in Makati City Sunday.

As of 7 a.m. 3,000 were already recorded by police to have entered the cemetery and in an hour the numbered had doubled, according to Superintendent Ricardo Layug Jr. police’s task group commander for securing South Cemetery.

He said many were not able to visit their departed loved ones Saturday due to Typhoon “Santi” that is why many trooped to the cemetery Sunday.

By 3 p.m., Layug said that about 77,000 of the 95,000 expected to visit the cemetery have arrived.

120 policemen were deployed to the cemetery to maintain peace and order during the annual observance of All Saints’ Day. The cops were augmented by 167 volunteers.

Most of them were assigned to frisk people for possible deadly weapons while many were assisting in traffic and vehicle parking.

Layug said the policemen and volunteers were also keeping watch on the prohibited alcoholic beverages that may have been brought in as well as loud sound systems.

Layug said the observance of the All Saints’ Day was generally peaceful.

Manila Memorial Park

Due to the good weather Sunday more people than authorities expected also flocked to Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City, one of the larger private cemeteries in Metro Manila.

For some families, All Saints’ Day was also a time for family reunions. Some of them also brought their pets to the cemetery.

Some tourists who were in the country also joined in the annual observance.

“It's amazing to see many people here,” said Heidi Young, an American tourist who came with her family and joined friends in their visit to the cemetery.

Personalities, stars

Many celebrities and personalities are buried in the large memorial park.

Among them is popular actor Rico Yan whose funeral was watched by millions 8 years ago.

But many visitors flocked to the burial site of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino who was just buried last August 5 beside her husband former Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.

Among those who visited the Aquinos’ mausoleum was Mary Ann Homalon.

"Noong ilibing siya, nakita kong dumaan ang kabaong niya at talagang tulo ang luha ko. hanggang ngayon naiiyak pa rin ako," said Homalon.

The late former president’s daughters and son Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino visited earlier.

"Nakakalungkot kasi dati siya ang nagpapalano ng Undas trip namin. Ngayon wala na siya," said Pinky Aquino-Abellada, one of Cory’s daughters.

"Dati meron pa kaming time to spend alone with Daddy. Pero ngayon nandito na rin si Mommy, mas maraming tao," said Cory’s son Noynoy who saw the hundreds who continued to bring and offer flowers to his late mother and father.

Davao and Benguet

In Davao City, thousands also flocked to Davao Memorial Park in Davao City. Many even set up tents with folding beds and food and snacks to last for the day.

Some even offered food to their departed loved ones.

Police meanwhile were seen patrolling to maintain the peaceful and orderly observance of All Saints’ Day in the memorial park.

In Benguet province, residents of La Trinidad town could not offer flowers to their departed. They were still digging through the cemetery which was hit by a landslide due to Typhoon “Pepeng”.

Crashed flight remembered

Meanwhile, eleven years after Cebu Pacific Flight 387 crashed in Mount Sumagaya in Clavieria Misamis Oriental, families of the victims visited the shrine dedicated to the ill-fated plane's passengers and crew at Oro Gardens in Cagayan de Oro City.

One hundred and four names are engraved on the shrine.

Myrna Flores came all the way from Iligan City to light candles in memory of her son who was among the casualties. Only Mark Anthony's wallet was returned to his family, his body was never found.

“At first, it was hard to recover from the loss since my husband had died 8 months before my son's accident,” said Myrna Flores.

This year, 5 families left behind by those who perished in the tragedy of Flight 387 were given free trips to Cagayan de Oro by the local carrier to pay their respect to their loved ones on All Saint's Day.