IF WE strictly follow Roman Catholic teaching and tradition, today is the right day to visit the cemetery to pray for and offer flowers to our departed loved ones. Today is All Souls’ Day, which is for ordinary souls. Yesterday was All Saints’ Day, or a feast for the dead who became saints.

It has been a common practice for people to visit their departed ones on Nov. 1. Maybe it’s because it is a universal holiday. The date is marked red in the calendar.

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While today’s declaration as a non-special holiday depends on our political leadership, there were occasions when Nov. 2 was not a holiday. Still, people in the provinces go to the cemetery today.

For those who fail to visit the graves of their loved ones because they are not able to go home or for those whose loved ones have been missing and declared dead, just light a candle at the big cross inside the cemetery nearest you because that area is for general patronage.

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Don’t criticize the things you don’t like because maybe someday you might be into it. Look what happened to First Lady Margot Osmeña. In several interviews in the past, Margot said she would never enter politics. Some loyalists of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) have been prodding her to succeed her husband Tommy so there will be continuity in the platform of government at City Hall.

Margot dismissed their pleas, saying she doesn’t like politics because it is a world of intrigues. She said she would rather stay behind the scenes like what she is doing now, taking care of street children, than be in the political limelight.

There’s no doubting her chances of winning the mayoralty race.

And before Tomas showed interest, Margot was also groomed to run for Congress in the south district. She also refused the offer.

So how come, out of the blue, her name popped up in the completed councilorial slate of the BOPK in the south district, with former councilor Ronald Cuenco? Tomas announced the list of candidates last Saturday during a meeting with barangay officials from the south. What made Margot change her mind?

Why did she opt to run for councilor instead of running for mayor or congresswoman? If she wins as city councilor, she will just be one of 16 councilors, while if she runs for mayor or Congress and wins, she will be on her own. But political analysts said Margot is there to neutralize Mike Rama with Joy Young as a support group.

So if plans don’t miscarry, there will be several Osmeñas running for various positions in the city in next year’s elections. Margot for councilor, Councilor Richie Osmeña for re-election, Tomas for congressman in the south district and former senator Sonny Osmeña and Georgia, Tomas’ younger sister, for mayor.

Don’t discount the possible entry of former councilor Rogelio “Jingjing” Osmeña, who I heard will make a comeback in the City Council, and Rico Osmeña, a former print reporter, who also signified his intention to run for Congress in Cebu City’s north district. Rico has already transferred his residence and voter registration from Lapu-Lapu City to Talamban. He is the husband of the late Joyce Osmeña, who challenged Gwen Garcia in the gubernatorial race last 2007 election. Even though Rico is a neophyte, he can still get votes from Osmeña loyalists.

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Sun.Star columnists are prohibited from using our limited space for personal greetings. But there is always an exemption to the rule. I won’t let this day pass without greeting our beloved editor-in-chief, Atty. Pachico “Cheking” Seares, who is celebrating his birthday today. Happy birhday, ‘Torney.

Hinaot nga daghan pang grasya nga mo-abot sa imong kinabuhi. God speed.

(bgnalzaro@gmanetwork.com)