Almost a month ago, already groups of people started flocking the cemeteries to prepare their loved ones’ final resting places for the annual mass and ceremony.
Most people only visit the tomb of their loved ones during special occasions, but for some, they often visit as time would permit.
Richard Mendiola, who just arrived from Hawaii , visited the grave of his father at the Catholic cemetery in Chalan Kanoa last Wednesday.
“We should have been here a week ago but bad weather is affecting our visit,” he said.
Although he is always away from home, his father’s tomb is not left unkempt. His cousin, Jose Manahane and other family members are always there to maintain the place.
There are also those who have committed themselves to visit as often as possible to offer prayers and flowers.
Like Minda Indalecio, who became a widow since 1994, visits her husband’s tomb every month. She’s doing this for the past 15 years to maintain her affection and promise that “even death will not break off their love.”
“I will never change. I will keep visiting him,” she said.
But unlike the previous years, Indalecio said the flowers that she offers are not as expensive and not as much. Her motive of presenting the gifts has not changed though.
“Because of economic crisis we now give more priority to our basic needs in the house,” she said.
However, for Mendiola, whether it would be hard times or good times, they always present, if not the most dazzling and expensive flowers, but at least the best in quality to reflect on how they express their love.
Peggy S. Nicolas was accompanied by her father Nicholas Takami as she visited her uncle’s tomb.
Last Wednesday they finished cleaning the burial place but other family members had started trimming the grass and painting the tomb since last week.
She has other relatives buried in the same cemetery but “my uncle is the closest in the family.”
All Soul’s Day, she said, is a very significant for them to remember their loved ones who passed away and remind them that “everything in this world is temporary and nothing would last.”
