Over 1M Filipinos flock to Manila North Cemetery on All Saints’ Day

More than a million people visited their departed loved ones at the Manila North Cemetery during All Saints’ Day on Friday, November 1. 

Data from the Manila Public Information Office showed that 1,100,000 flocked to the cemetery this year. 

This surpassed the 958,000 visitors who went to the said cemetery on the same day last year, according to Ralph Obina’s report in Super Radyo dzBB. 

Further, the data showed that only 5,030 visited on October 30 until it ballooned to 105,000 on October 31. 

Overall, there were a total of 1,210,030 visitors since Wednesday. 

In Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras,” the Manila Police District beefed up its security as larger crowds trooped earlier in the day compared to the visitors on Thursday. 

The cops reminded visitors via megaphones to hold closely on to their children to avoid being lost in the big crowd. 

Aside from the cops, rescue personnel also worked relentlessly amid health emergency situations in the cemetery. 

“Basta parang nahilo ako (I suddenly felt dizzy),” said Virginia Forneya, an elderly visitor, as she sought first aid from the responders. 

Forneya said that the heat and crowd could have contributed to her dizziness. 

Although it’s a special day to pay respects to those who departed, a festive mood can still be seen in the cemetery. 

There were mascots, loud music, and other gimmicks from the vendors outside the cemetery in a bid to boost their sales. 

Meanwhile, a family inside the cemetery offered free food to all the visitors just like during town fiestas. 

“Parang magaan lang ho sa kalooban ko ang magbigay,” said Ligaya Maglapit. 

(I just feel like sharing my blessings with others.) 

The MPD made rounds inside the cemetery at 5 p.m. to remind the visitors that the park will be closed at 7 p.m.—Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News