MANILA, Philippines - The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has upgraded its Undas website allowing Filipinos to make a virtual visit of a cemetery.
CBCP Media Office director Monsignor Pedro Quitorio III yesterday said they have revived their Undas online and added a feature that would give its viewers the feeling that they are in a cemetery during today’s observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day tomorrow.
“This is primarily intended for Filipinos abroad – OFWs and seafarers – who will find it hard to celebrate Undas,” Quitorio said.
By clicking on www.undasonline.com, the visitors of the website could request for prayers and Masses for their dead.
Last year, Undas Online has received request for prayers for not less than 20,000 dead Filipino Catholics.
Traffic in Manila rerouted
Meanwhile, the Manila Police District (MPD) has rerouted traffic in major roads leading to cemeteries in the city.
Police also set up Public Assistance Hub (PAH) at entry points of the North and South cemeteries, La Loma and the Chinese cemeteries.
MPD spokesperson Chief Inspector Erwin Margarejo said 1,166 policemen and volunteers will oversee traffic and peace and order in the cemeteries.
Margarejo said that sound systems, gambling cards and bladed weapons would be confiscated.
Mayor Alfredo Lim ordered the local police and barangay officials to guard against criminals, particularly “Akyat Bahay” gang members, who may take advantage of the long weekend.
Prices of flowers soar
Meanwhile, prices of flowers sold at Dangwa started to increase yesterday.
Stargazers, which were sold at P150 per stem, increased to P300 while casablancas and carnations are sold at P300 and P500, respectively.
Price of malaysian mums range from P300 to P350 while orchids are sold at P300 to P350 per boquet from P200. Tulips are sold at P350 to P400 each from P200.
Traffic along Dimasalang was heavy as people flocked to Dangwa to buy flowers for their dead.
Aling Rosing, who has a stall at the corner of Dimasalang and Laong Laan streets, said business had been brisk for the past three days.
– Evelyn Macairan, Rey Galupo, Sandy Araneta