‘Undas’ 2019: Lighter traffic, thin crowd at major Paranaque cemetery

MANILA, Philippines – Lighter vehicular traffic and a sparse crowd in and around the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City greeted visitors on All Saints’ Day, in stark contrast to previous years.

Patrick Gregory De Guzman travelled with his mother from Sta. Rosa, Laguna to visit his father’s grave.

Patrick Gregory De Guzman visits the grave of  his father at the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque. He said there is a noticeable drop in the number of cemetery visitors as of Friday morning. (Neil Arwin Mercado/INQUIRER.net)

De Guzman said there is a noticeable decline in the number of visitors, as recalled that in the previous years, the cemetery is already packed as early as 7 a.m.

“Mukhang maunti ngayong umaga,” De Guzman told INQUIRER.net.

Setting up tents is also a common activity at Manila Memorial Park, with some visitors spending the night at the sprawling cemetery.

Vendors outside Manila Memorial Park likewise rued the thin crowd as sales took a 25 percent-drop.

Flower arrangements sold outside the cemetery range from P100 to P700.

Crowd volume at Manila Memorial Park is expected to increase at noon and in the afternoon.

But as of 8:00 a.m., vehicular traffic along Dr. A. Santos Avenue  / Sucat Road remains relatively light.

Some of the notable personalities laid at Manila Memorial Park are former president Corazon Aquino, former senator Benigno Aquino Jr., and actors Rico Yan and AJ Perez. /gsg