BEFORE LEAVING.
Visitors burn twigs and weeds at Pardo Cemetery in Cebu City in the ritual called palina, where they expose themselves to smoke to prevent bad spirits and misfortune from accompanying them after their visit to the dead. All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day stories on
With the long weekend, a Cebu City official reminded the public to secure their homes from burglars and fire before heading to the beach or province now that the observance of All Saints’ and Souls’ Days is over.
Except for two cemetery visitors who required minor medical attention, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office chief Nagiel Bañacia said the observance of All Souls’ Day on Friday, Nov. 2 went peacefully.
“One adult sustained minor injuries while cleaning a tomb in the Calamba Cemetery. Another person felt dizzy because of the heat in the Veterans Cemetery in Barangay Labangon,” he said.
Although peaceful, Bañacia reminded the public to plan out their trips and security measures at home before heading out.
“Check the condition of your vehicles. Ensure safety and security from fire and burglars, especially,” he added.
Meanwhile, City Transportation Office Operations Chief Francisco Ouano said that while moderate vehicular congestion was observed in some areas, there were no reported road incidents and traffic was still manageable as of 1 p.m. Friday.
Areas where moderate to heavy traffic was observed were in roads surrounding the public cemeteries in Calamba and Carreta, and in private cemeteries such as Queen City Memorial Park and Cebu Memorial Park.
Authorities also considered All Saints’ Day a peaceful affair in Cebu despite three deaths reported in Cebu City, Carcar City and in San Francisco town in Camotes Island (story on page 5).