MANILA, Philippines--The country observed All Saints' Day today with less violence and in not so noisy manner compared with previous celebrations.
But as always, Filipinos observed the occasion with such gusto and festive mood, bringing food enough to feed a village.
At the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City, people trooped as early as 6 a.m. to pay respect and pray for their departed loved ones.
The memorial park has been a resting place of some of the known personalities and celebrities--from the late Supreme Court Associate Justice Cecilia Munoz-Palma, showbiz columnist Oskee Salazar, matinee idol Rogelio dela Rosa, actress Nida Blanca, teen sensation Julie Vega, and master rapper Francis Magalona, movie director Joey Gosiengfiao, actors Jay Ilagan and Johnny Delgado, and writer/columnist Betty Go-Belmonte, one of the founders of the Philippine STAR.