00:00On the other news, it's not the rain from above to worry about, it's the slimy, slippery
00:06and cakey mud on the ground which adds up to the aggravation.
00:11Nonetheless, the surviving loved ones of the deceased will endure whatever it is in their
00:16way just to get aware their departed lay on this most solemn day for some reminiscing
00:23and prayer as PTV's Denise Osorio tells us live in a graveyard in Polo, Valenzuela.
00:32Princess, rain started pouring here in a cemetery known for its perennial flooding in the megacity.
00:40The rain has stopped now but the area has gotten even more difficult to navigate and
00:45the mud even thicker.
00:47Regardless of the weather and the rather tight and sticky situation, Filipino families continued
00:52to flock over here to Polo Cemetery in Valenzuela City.
00:58To get through the mud and the flooding, most of the makeshift bridges are made of wooden
01:02planks and sandbags.
01:04One of the cemetery's caretakers, Baby, stressed there has never been a year the cemetery was
01:10not flooded to the point the flood waters have been a peril.
01:15It's difficult for the elderly to walk here because the floodwaters are slippery.
01:23So I don't let them walk here, I let them go inside.
01:29Such situations are not seen as obstacles as visiting one's loved ones is more important
01:35during the days of the dead.
01:37The two days of the year dedicated to celebrating, remembering and praying for the lives loved
01:42and lost ahead of ours.
01:44Just like the Santiago family, November 1st of every year is seen as an opportunity to
01:49celebrate and an excuse for a reunion.
01:53We start to prepare like in October 1st.
01:56We try to do the repainting, check all the damages and put all the gardening all together
02:05because we know that our families, my friends, my mom and dad are coming to visit them.
02:12Ms. Gina added this is one way of giving thanks to their relatives and ancestors who've left
02:18them with wisdom and values.
02:20But flooding in this area cannot be avoided.
02:22So they have no choice but to adjust, items and memorabilia elevated and the mausoleum
02:28renovated and elevated as well.
02:31Such is the reason Typhoon Karina when the floods were waist deep.
02:35Damage is a damage so we live with it.
02:38So we can't do anything about the flood and I hope that the other families of our neighbors
02:45are at home, that they have a home and I know they did something about their loved ones.
02:53Princess, the first two days of November is treated with solemnity, but it is clear that
02:57in the Filipino tradition, it is a celebratory time for most Filipinos as we gather together
03:06and have a reunion.
03:07It is also that time when we celebrate the lives of our dearly departed loved ones because
03:13of our familiar culture.
03:15Denise Osorio from PTV Manila for Balitang Pambansa.
03:20Many thanks, Denise Osorio!
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