Happy days in early November

Today is November 1, the feast of all saints. November 2 is officially the day for souls but Filipinos have started to remember and prepare for their visits and/or prayers for their beloved departed days or even weeks ahead.

Prior to today, all over the country, visitors to cemeteries have been observed to clean-up and prepare the area and tombs of their beloved departed. Masses and prayers have also started to be offered in various churches.

Vendors of flowers and candles have also started to prepare for this annual commemoration of the saints and the departed. Some stores even have extended display areas for flowers and flower baskets beyond their regular areas to accommodate more buyers, especially during the first 2 days of November. The prices, of course, have also been hiked to take advantage of the flower-candle rush.

Transport companies also are now informing customers that all seats for trips have been taken. Those who have prepared ahead of the rush hours had earlier planned, scheduled, and, bought their trip tickets. Sadly, as was shown on TV, others have planned to take earlier trips but have been prevented from doing so due to mechanical failures of buses and boats. Or many have already boarded some vehicles but were disallowed from taking trips because the authorities found the transport vehicles not travel worthy and safe.

There is no one who will protest any strict inspection and implementation of safety precautions and rules for transportation. However, one wonders why the strict inspection and monitoring are done ONLY days BEFORE the travel rush hours!!!

Cannot the inspection be done more regularly, more frequently and not to be timed during the rush season?

Tricycles and motor vehicles, perhaps even the trisikad, the so-called transport of the masses, are not spared and are being subjected to more frequent, almost daily inspection and prohibition from taking passengers if found travel unworthy and unsafe or with incomplete documents.  

What a welcome practice to have the safety inspections done regularly and frequently, but please please, can the authorities time these safety precautions way ahead of time or if these have to be done on the rush days, to devise a system where public service is not hampered and people are not prevented from taking their trips to be with their beloved departed during the first two days of November?

Waste management systems will also have to be strictly implemented and monitored in all public and private cemeteries. Please, please remember to take care of your own waste wherever you go, wherever you are, not only for these November visits, but for all days of the year!!

It is a practice of visiting relatives to spend hours, if not whole days, to be with their beloved departed. Reunions and parties, with food and drinks, are part of the visitation rituals early November. Who said that November 1 and 2 are only for the beloved saints and departed?   

Since this year’s first two days of November fall on a Thursday and Friday, respectively,  the long weekend will find more people taking trips, having reunions, enjoying the company not only of the beloved dead but of their beloved others who are still graced by the Lord with vibrant lives and good health.

The regular roads, however, will be empty of vehicles and people for some hours during this long weekend. That will be a happy respite for those who wish to feel that they own the road, at least even just for a day or two in a year!

Happy moments, happy break for Filipinos as they remember the saints and their departed loves ones and as they join up with all other family members, relatives, and friends once every year, every first two days of November!

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