All Souls Day

Yesterday was All Souls Day, a public holiday and one that Filipinos spend honoring the dead. I got up early and took myself to South Cemetery, one of the biggest in Manila. At 7am in the morning the place was buzzing. I had been expecting a solemn occasion but it felt more like a carnival. As I arrived whole families were waking and emerging from the tents where they had camped overnight. Many then set about tending graves; scrubbing and painting the tombs, lighting candles and arranging flowers. Vendors weaved their way among the graves selling selling snacks and drinks, people sat eating the picnics under umbrellas and children ran around playing games. Very interesting although a little spooky!