Masantol town folks wade through flooded cemeteries

PAMPANGA. A panoramic view of the cemetery in Masantol, Pampanga on Thursday, Nov. 1. Residents visit their loved ones and light candles while rainwater brought by Typhoon Rosita flood the cemetery. (Princess Clea Arcellaz)
PAMPANGA. A panoramic view of the cemetery in Masantol, Pampanga on Thursday, Nov. 1. Residents visit their loved ones and light candles while rainwater brought by Typhoon Rosita flood the cemetery. (Princess Clea Arcellaz)

MASANTOL -- Flooded public and private cemeteries here failed to dampen the spirit of Masantol folks in remembering their departed loved ones on All Saints’ Day.

Family members, both young and old, were seen continuing the tradition of visiting cemeteries to pay respect to their departed relatives with almost knee-deep floodwaters.

Rains from Typhoon Rosita inundated most of the low-lying areas in the town including cemeteries, according to Mayor Danilo Guintu.

Pumping out of water is not an option since the flooded cemeteries were left from the road upgrading projects implemented by the national and local government, Guintu said.

Guintu said the local government and barangay put up temporary bridges and sandbags to provide access to flooded tombs.

“Remembering our departed loved ones on All Saints’ Day has been a tradition for every Filipino. And I am glad to see that most Masantoleños still practice it despite flooding on our cemeteries,” he said.

Guintu urged families who are planning to visit the flooded cemeteries during the rest of the holidays to say their prayers and light their candles on their respective homes instead of braving the floodwaters.

The mayor cited the importance of the tradition but he also stressed that the health and safety of the people must be prioritized.

He said that stagnant floodwaters bring different kinds of diseases and infections.

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