Manila South Cemetery expects up to 1M visitors for Undas peak

The Manila South Cemetery is expecting up to one million visitors during the peak of Undas, from October 31 to November 1, 2026, its administration said Friday.

“Peak po natin, nasa October 31 hanggang [November 1] is 600,000 to 1 million po na dadalaw sa kanilang mahal sa buhay,” Manila South Cemetery Officer-in-Charge John Mark Mendez said in a "24 Oras" report by Tina Panganiban-Perez.

(During our peak days, from October 31 to November 1, we expect 600,000 to one million people to visit their departed loved ones.)

Despite a brief downpour, 8,408 people visited the cemetery on Friday, two days before All Saints' Day.

Among them was the family of Arlyn Gonzales, who visited the cemetery before returning to work abroad.

“Kasi sakto uuwi ako tas uuwi rin yung mother ko. So sabi namin, bisitahin na namin kasi lolo't lola ko po yung patay, so parents nila. Kasi ngayon na lang po kami ulit nagsama-sama na bumisita rito,” Gonzales said.

(My mother and I happened to be home at the same time, so we decided to visit my grandparents, who were her parents. It was only now that we had the chance to come together again to visit their graves.)

The Manila South Cemetery closed at 6 p.m. on Friday. From October 31 to November 2, however, it will be open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The cemetery administration reminded visitors that overnight stays, sharp or pointed objects, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, noise-making equipment such as speakers and guitars, flammable substances, and pets are prohibited inside the premises.

Mendez also urged visitors to prepare for the heat.

“Magbaon po tayo ng tubig at payong at kung meron tayong mga portable electric fan is magdala na po tayo pangontra init. At sa mga bibisita na matitigas ang ulo, ‘wag ninyo na po subukan dito sa Manila South [Cemetery],” he said.

(Visitors should bring water and umbrellas, as well as portable electric fans to help them cope with the heat. Those who might be tempted to violate cemetery rules should not even try it at Manila South Cemetery.)

Wheelchairs are available at the entrance to assist visitors, while roving personnel inside the cemetery are providing free rides.

An estimated one million people are buried at the Manila South Cemetery, including former President Elpidio Quirino and former Manila Mayor Leon Guinto Sr.

Visitors looking for the graves of their loved ones can also use the cemetery's online “Puntod Finder."

“Visit lang sila sa www.manilasouthcemetery.net na kung saan ay mapapakita nung website ang buong mapa at maituturo nang mas mabilis sa pamilya yung mga hinahanap nila na hindi nila mahanap. Naka-indicate lang po doon na maglagay lang sila ng pangalan nong mahal nila sa buhay at lalabas na po,” Mendez said.

(Visitors can go to www.manilasouthcemetery.net, where they can view the cemetery's full map and more easily locate the graves they are looking for. They only need to enter the name of their departed loved one, and the location will appear.)

Aside from the grave locator, the website also features an emergency button that visitors can use to request assistance while inside the cemetery.

“Tutunog po yon dito sa loob ng aming opisina. Tatawagan namin sila para makapagbigay kami ng medical attention at medical assistance and police assistance sa loob ng Manila South Cemetery,” Mendez added.

(The alert will sound inside our office. We will then contact the person who activated it so we can provide medical or police assistance inside the Manila South Cemetery.)

Help desks staffed by various government agencies have also been set up inside the cemetery, including the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Manila Health Department. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/VBL, GMA News