All Saints’ and Souls’ days 2021

Without fail, all cultures and societies honor their dead. The dates and practices may vary but always, the dearly departed are in the hearts and memories of those left behind.

The Japanese observe Obon, a Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one's ancestors. In August. Filipinos remember their dead during the early days of November.

Although November 1 is a church holiday celebrating the saints, Filipinos have long practiced commemorating their dead as early as November 1 until the next day, November 2, the Feast of All Souls.

Had there been no pandemic, Filipinos would have already earlier flocked to cemeteries/memorial parks, and especially within November 1 and 2.

Not only do families visit their departed loved ones in these places. These annual visits have also become happy family reunions that would last from early morning till late at night or may even extend to the next day.

During these early two days of November, the silence of the resting places of the dead during most part of the year is broken by the loud, boisterous noise of the huge crowds of visitors.

There are regular announcements that come from loud speakers, perhaps from the staff of the cemeteries/memorial parks or from traffic or peace and order officers.

Voices of various vendors are also part of the cacophony.

Oh, there are also the blaring sounds of music and singing as well as the cries or gleeful laughter of children. And yes, barking dogs are also part of the annual celebration of the dead in this country.

Add to this uncoordinated orchestra of noises and sounds, the various smells coming from fragrant flowers offered to the dead as well as from barbecue, hotdogs, other food items prepared by visiting family members, relatives, friends and the hundreds of peddlers out to make a killing during these two precious days of November. Oh, and there are the various scents from lighted candles, possibly incense as well, and more.

Certainly, these two days of November are annual social spectacles worth experiencing.

Despite the horrendous traffic leading to the cemeteries and parks, crowds still flock and bear the long hours inside their vehicles just to be able to spend precious moments with their loved ones, living and dead, during these early days of November.

With the pandemic still now in our midst, however, people may not be allowed to visit their dearly departed come November 1 and 2.

Many LGUs have announced that cemeteries will be closed to the public.

Can government officials successfully implement their pandemic protocol barring the crowd from visiting their dead especially these two early days of November?

Abangan.

Like an unfolding drama, let us see what will happen from now until early November.

Especially during this campaign period, do you think government officials are ready and willing to bear the brunt of disgruntled millions who do not understand why they are not allowed to visit their dearly departed this time?

If government allowed visitors to see the dolomite beach in Manila, people are asking why the public are not allowed to visit their dead who are more important than this anomalous expensive dolomite government project?

If the authorities are worried about the spread of the virus/variants because of the huge number of visitors, cannot an orderly, effective system of crowd control be carefully, thoroughly and effectively planned and implemented?

Cannot entry and exit, as well as the number/schedule/order of visitors to cemeteries and parks be carefully monitored and managed?

Cannot health protocol enforcers also be organized to ensure public protection at the cemeteries and parks?

However, can the public also responsibly discipline themselves, follow health protocols, and obey crowd management rules?