Thaindian News

By Meena Kar
Nov 1, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Halloweens has come to an end, but the festive spirit has not. The believers of Halloween are now set to celebrate “All Saints Day” on November 1. This would again be followed by “All Souls’ Day” on November 2. The Easter countries are already half way down the celebration and the western countries have just started it. In the East, it was Philippines, for whom the day has special significance.

In Manila, Philippines, about ten thousand people visited cemeteries to pay homage to their loved ones who have left for their heavenly abode. The Manila North Cemetery made their security system more stringent as that many people flocked towards this graveyard. The Manila South Cemetery, also witnessed equal number of visitors, who paid an ode to their loved ones with flowers and candles. Special arrangements for a separate lane was made for the senior citizens. The arrangement were well equipped with help line desks, ambulances and firetrucks. Every one who made an entry to the cemetery, were checked by the police officials. The police authorities did a good job by arresting about 50 who violated the laws, by bringing alcohol inside the cemetery. Many were arrested for getting sharp objects and knives. The authorities quietly enforced check points with bomb-sniffing dogs at cemeteries.

The people of Philippines took full advantage of the three day long holiday, dedicated to this festival. Most of them went back to their own home towns and provinces to get in touch with their loved ones and visit the cemeteries in their home towns. There has been a report of bus bombing in the southern Philippines, where nine people were killed. The security system was further tightened after this mishap. This took place in the Muslim populated region of the country.