Manila South Cemetery logs over 545,000 visitors on Nov. 1

More than 545,000 people visited the Manila South Cemetery on November 1 as Filipinos flocked to cemeteries nationwide to remember their departed loved ones during Undas 2026.

Manila South Cemetery Director Rafael Mendez said fewer visitors are expected on Monday, November 2. As of around 9 a.m., 1,574 people had entered the cemetery.

“Mas kakaunti po siguro ngayong araw. Expected po natin, mga nasa 50,000 to 100,000 po,” Mendez told Super Radyo dzBB in an interview.

(It will probably be fewer today. We expect around 50,000 to 100,000.)

Despite the expected decline in visitors, security and emergency personnel remain on alert, according to Mendez.

Police officers continue to monitor the area, while medical personnel and ambulances remain equipped and on standby, he said.

Wheelchair assistance is also available for visitors, although the cemetery experienced a shortage of wheelchairs on Sunday.

The cemetery continues to prohibit visitors from bringing bicycles and motorcycles inside to prevent accidents and injuries, Mendez said.

Meanwhile, free Wi-Fi and the cemetery's Puntod Finder service remain available to help visitors locate the graves of their departed loved ones.

Visiting hours on Monday have been extended until 9 p.m. The cemetery will resume its regular operating hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3.

Mendez said no major untoward incidents had been reported as of Monday morning.

The medical team had attended to minor cases, mostly involving visitors who experienced elevated blood pressure amid the hot weather, he added. — MCG, GMA News

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