Some flooded areas in Manila South Cemetery days before Undas

Some people who took advantage of the last weekend before All Saints’ Day to visit their departed loved ones, were met with flooded tombs in the Manila North and South Cemeteries.

In Mark Salazar’s 24 Oras Weekend report on Sunday, both vehicle and foot traffic to the Manila North Cemetery increased as families came to spruce up their loved ones' tombs.

“Mahirap intayin mo pa piyesta ng patay hindi ka na makapasok dito,” a visitor said.

(It will be difficult to enter the cemetery if you visit on All Souls’ Day.)

A lot of people are also buying flowers for their departed loved ones.

“Nagpapasalamat nga po kami, umaraw kahit papano kikita kami,” flower vendor Josie said.

(We’re thankful for the fair weather because we’re earning.)

In the Manila South Cemetery, some people hurriedly painted and cleaned tombs while the weather was fair.

However, some tombs were still submerged in flood and had a pile of garbage.

The family of Argene Aguilar was disappointed when they saw a rotting roof placed over their relative’s grave.

“Tinanggal lang kanina tapos nagasgas ang lapida ni father. Ano ba naman yun e kung hindi kami nagpunta rito,” Argene said.

(They just removed the roof, and then father’s tombstone was scratched. What if we hadn't visited?)

“We are waiting for them na lilinisin nila e nagagalit nga si misis dahil ang ipanglilinis ay tubig baha, kukunin dun sa mga lupa dyan,” Argene’s husband said.

(We were waiting for them to clean it. My wife was mad because the water they were going to use to clean the tomb was from the flood.)

Oplan Undas 2024 was activated on Sunday. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News