Famous stars still draw crowds even in death

“Let’s go to FPJ’s tomb. There might be actors there,” a boy was overheard telling his companion Thursday, referring to the resting place of action star Fernando Poe Jr., one of the more prominent people buried at the Manila North Cemetery.

Unfortunately for them, however, there were no stars there although this did not stop them and many others from gawking at FPJ’s tomb. Some fans even had their picture taken with the Poe mausoleum as the background.

Vendors and bystanders said the late actor’s daughters, actress Lovi Poe and Grace Poe-Llamanzares, who is running for senator next year, were spotted earlier in the day along with comedian John Lapus.

Another senatorial candidate, Jun Magsaysay, was seen visiting the tomb of his father, former President Ramon Magsaysay. Well-wishers or the simply curious shook his hand and had their photos taken with him.

“We have come here for the past 55 years since I was 19. But our commemoration is a private family affair,” Magsaysay told the Inquirer.

At the Heritage Park in Taguig City, people flashed big smiles as they posed next to comedy king Rodolfo “Dolphy” Quizon’s tomb.

Annie Bacus, who was visiting her father’s grave, which was nearby, took the opportunity to have her picture taken with the tomb of the icon “she grew up with.”

“My father was a big fan of Dolphy,” Bacus said. “My father’s Chinese and it’s rare for Chinese people to understand Filipino humor.”

Bacus recounted that when she was younger, she used to watch movies of Dolphy with her father.

“Darna is my favorite. That was really funny,” she added.

Bacus said she felt sad when she heard of Dolphy’s death. “I felt like I lost a father,” she added.

All Saints’ Day, however, isn’t just for the famous. In the middle of the Barangka Municipal Cemetery in Marikina City, four chocolate-flavored cupcakes with candy sprinkles on a plate were placed on top of an otherwise inconspicuous apartment-style tomb that sat on top of a hill.

The treats were beside a pot of flowers that bore the name of Noelle Allison Quimado, who was born on and died on May 2, 2007. Her final resting place is one of several niches reserved for still-born babies situated in that portion of the public graveyard.

Ronald Resare Jr. only lived for one day in June 2001 but he was remembered by his parents and siblings. His younger sister, now 10 years old, cheerfully called out, “Hi Kuya,” as she placed some flowers on his grave.

“He is still part of the family. We visit him every year. We will never forget him,” his father told the Inquirer.—With Rima Jessamine M. Granali