MANILA, Philippines — As All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day draw near, Filipino families and communities across the country have come together to clean tombs and cemeteries in preparation for the 2024 Undas celebration.
This year, the annual tradition carries a unique weight, as many families work through the lingering impacts of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) in the country.
Amid the storm’s devastation, which brought heavy rains, floods, and widespread damage to homes and infrastructure, many Filipinos still went on with the yearly ritual of tending to the graves of their deceased loved ones.
In Paluan, Occidental Mindoro, residents and volunteers cleared the paths of fallen branches, repaired tombstones, and cleaned up grave sites in the area as part of their annual Oplan Linis Puntod.
Photo courtesy of Roche De Lara Bautista / Facebook
“Tatlong pangunahing himlayan ng ating mga namayapang kamag-anak sa bayan ng Paluan, Kanlurang Mindoro, handa na para sa darating na Undas 2024,” Paluan Sangguniang Bayan member Roche De Lara Bautista wrote in a Facebook post on Monday.
(Three main resting places for our departed loved ones in the town of Paluan, Occidental Mindoro are ready for the upcoming Undas 2024.)
Meanwhile, community members of Borongan City in Eastern Samar also began their own Oplan Linis Puntod on Sunday.
In a photo posted on Sunday by Tarusan Area II Community Chapter on Facebook, residents and volunteers are seen cleaning cemeteries left devastated by the recent storm.
Photo courtesy of Tarusan Area II Community Chapter / Facebook
At least 11 municipalities in Eastern Samar, including Borongan City, were placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday, October 23, due to Kristine’s impact, affecting over 6,700 families.
READ: Eastern Samar not spared by Kristine
Amid the rainy conditions, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Quezon, Palawan also initiated a cleanup effort in local cemeteries.
Photo courtesy of Esperanza Caabay / Facebook
According to Esperanza Caabay of Quezon MENRO, they also cleaned and repainted graves that have not been visited by their loved ones for years.
The MENRO further reminded residents to keep cemeteries clean and orderly as a form of respect to the departed.
“Panatilihin po nating malinis, maayos at may paggalang ang lugar na ito para sa isang payapa at sagradong himlayan ng ating mga yumaong mahal sa buhay,” Quezon MENRO Esperanza Caabay said in a Facebook post on Tuesday, October 22.
(Let us keep this place clean, orderly, and respectful for a peaceful and sacred resting place for our departed loved ones.)
READ: LGUs issue public reminder and guidelines for Undas 2024