Tuesday, October 30, 2007
MANILA NORTH CEMETERY
I very much appreciate my articles and photos appearing on fellow bloggers' sites, popular broadsheets, and local broadcast news segments, but I would appreciate even more a request for permission first.
Thank you!
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posted by Señor Enrique at 8:09 PM
28 Comments:
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said... I’m really impressed with your articles here in your blog and I’m trying to be someone like you with my own blog too. I may not as good as you are but I’m really trying. Please find time to visit my blog. I hope we will be friends. Congratulation for winning the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards - PHOTOBLOG OF THE YEAR. Thank you and more power!
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Android Eyes said... May our dearly departed ever rest in peace!... As soon as I saw the title of this post, I quickly scrolled to find what I've hoped yo find and I did, there he was, the Poe' family grave site, to the right of that maybe 2 or 3 "nichos" is my dad's grave site. I was very young when he passed, as I kid, my mother loathed the idea of goin thru masses of people n crowd to pay respect to the dead. So , what we would do is wake up really, really early in the morning, wake up even earlier than the angels, I always looked forward to this day because I know that it'll be a good day, especially when you see the Poe' and the Roces' so very early in the morning, that was a treat, they were always so very pleasant, they'd always say hello to my mother and us kids, n tells her what pleasure it is to see her and us again, she in turn would smile and say the same. As the hours went on, i'd find myself wonderin about the vicinity of my dad's grave site, admiring n enjoying the grave markers, the styles of architectures, etc. I've almost forgotten how enjoyable that day was for me. I thank you Sr. E!
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said...
For me, the simple but "elegant" tombs like those of FPJ, Presidents Manuel Roxas and Ramon Magsaysay look more stately and dignified than the grandiose mausoleums which are erected merely for pompous display of wealth by the families of the rich departed.
Never enjoyed going to cemeteries on All Souls Day. I'd rather visit on ordinary days, though I feel the creeps every time. :)-
Unknown said...
I have never been to the North Cemetery although I have a grandfather who is buried there after the Japs beheaded him in Fort Santiago.
Whose mausoleum is the one draped in red, white and blue, after the Arellano tomb? I am curious why it has the flag draped around it.-
Photo Cache said...
outstanding series. great photos. makes me wanna come home and experience this again.
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carlotta1924 said...
i like checking out the lapidas in the cemeteries, if only for the dates of their birth and death. the older, the more ornate/garish, the better.weird ba? hehehe
good thing we're not going to the cemetery this holiday, too many people. we might go next week =)-
Señor Enrique said...
We usually go on the Sunday before or after, Carla, to avoid the crowds.
Incidentally, have you joined Ivan's Chinese Cemetery walking tour? I did last year and it was great!
For those interested:
Mounds, Magnates and Mausoleums
A Chinese Cemetery Walk
When: November 17, 2007 ; Saturday at 2:00 PM ( 2.5 hours)
Rate: P500.00/head
Meet at the red temple (Chong Hock Tong) inside the Cemetery grounds (Map available upon request)
Details at www.oldmanilawalks.com-
Señor Enrique said...
Many thanks, Photo Cache!
Perhaps, next year? There's really nothing quite like All Soul's Day celebration in the Philippines. Divinely festive ... hehehe!-
Señor Enrique said...
My father and siblings are buried in Novaliches, and although designed like a park, it can still get outrageously crowded with gridlocks on all roadways to and from it.
That mouseleum, Bugsy, is the Mouselo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion. For more information, you may want to visit this site:
http://www.pinoyphotography.org/forum/index.php?topic=16715.0-
Señor Enrique said...
You should check out the mouseleums in the Chinese Cemetery, Rhoda, the ostentatious display of wealth is staggering ... hehehe. But to some people, it has become a tradition. Very picturesque, though :)
I had my father's tomb redone with a dark blue marble and retained it simplistic design. But while walking around the North Cemetery yesterday, I was astounded yet amused by some of the pastel colors and even some vivid ones painted on some of the tombs (as you will notice from some of the pics I had posted). I guess, these new colors somewhat reflect the festive atmosphere of what this supposedly solemn holiday has become.-
Señor Enrique said...
Wish I had known, Romy; however, next time I go, I will make it a point to take a photo of your dad's grave site.
Susan Roces was reportedly seen visiting FPJ's tomb early in the morning last monday. I think even if she should have arrived while I was there taking some photos, I probably would not take any of her picture out of courtesy.-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Joel!
I had just browsed your site (and will return later). It's definitely interesting!
Tondo, Manila is one area I haven't really explored although the grade school I attended was located near its border at Tayuman and Ipil Streets. Perhaps, through your blog posts, I would get to know more about this significant part of Manila.
Thanks, Joel!
Cheers!
Eric-
ScroochChronicles said...
FPJ's tomb is the largest among Pinoy showbiz' departed. Next is Dolphy who has a 2-storey mausoleum. Just saw this on TV the other day.
Like Rhodora, I favor the simpler mausoleums. None of the grandiose buildings for me. You should see this one edifice near the entrance of Manila Memorial. It is huge!! Parang Parthenon complete with gurgling fountains. I think it belongs to the owner of Green Cross Alcohol.-
gmirage said...
Is dolphy dead already? =D Wheeew....proof that I havent been reading pinoy news hehe...and obituaries at that!
I have never liked cemeteries...I dont know why...great shots though Senor!-
said...
May the departed rest in peace always.
Love the photos Eric. Nice documentation.
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Señor Enrique said...
Thank you very much, Kyels.
I share your prayer.-
Señor Enrique said...
No, Dolphy is still very much alive, G. Mirage. It's just common for some folks to prepare their grave sites before actually passing away.
Neither do I like cemeteries, especially at night, but some friends of mine who used to do a lot of hiking back in college days, claimed, the cemetery is the most peaceful site to pitch a tent and spend the night.-
Señor Enrique said...
I guess, it's because I've spent more of my life in the States than here in Manila, Scrooch, that I tend to favor cremation and having my ashes thrown to the wind upon my death. If anything, I'd rather the memory of me remain than a gravesite, which still requires upkeep costs ... hehehe.
Nonetheless, despite the ostentatious intention, I can't help but still admire the designs of some of the large mausoleums, especially those in Chinese Cemetery.-
said...
due to overcrowding of tomb, the that pyramid you took is our common landmark to spot my grandpa and grandma's grave. quite odd but a good idea at the same time!
im still familiarized with the other landmarks except to the one with the coat of arms. tfs. :)-
Señor Enrique said...
That day I took these photos was also the first time for me to roam around this cemetery, Jeff, as an adult. I've been here a few times when I was a kid to attend relatives' funerals.
I can understand why people have to designate certain landmarks; it's tough to get around, especially on crowded occasions.-
Ebb Tide said...
Thanks for the cementery tours . Looking at your graveyard photos of famous people from my computer is better than fighting the crowd. I found cementery tours very educational and interesting. One of my best cementery tour was the one in New Orleans, Louisiana(U.S.A.) Their tombs and graveyards are like the Philippines with different architectural designs and sizes, depending on your financial status. But what is interesting, the graveyards are build above ground because New Orleans always have floods and hurricanes.
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-= dave =- said...
I think MLQ3 had an entry about the graves of past presidents. You'll find it by googling "tony perez spirit quest."
Speaking of mausoleums, my grandparents' final resting place in a Naga cemetery seems out of place. They only have a lapida to mark their spot, while others in the lot had mausoleums. One in our immediate vicinity actually could be considered a house because of its furniture and appliances (I think they have aircon). They even have a rooftop perch. At least they tried to be functional that their ancestor's resting place could also accommodate the living.-
Señor Enrique said...
From the first time you mentioned Tony Perez on my other entry, Dave, I discovered Manolo's article and read it. Very interesting!
The mausoleum of the founder of China Bank at Chinese Cemetery has three floors plus a separte two-bedroom cottage for visitors who may wish to spend the night over. Amazing!
There are plenty more immense structures as you had described in this cemetery, which in most cases, are bigger and more luxurious than the average dwellings of the local folks of Manila.-
Señor Enrique said...
I have never been to New Orleans, Ebb Tide, but have always been fascinated by some film clips and videos of their jazzy funerals.
Nonetheless, many TV shows used to feature their cemetery and some uncommon supernatural practices conducted by some of the city's inhabitants.
Has the city completely recovered from Katrina?-
mlq3 said...
your photo, senor enrique, if i'm not mistaken, of the roxas tomb was taken pretty much from where our family plot is located in the north cemetery.
and to the reader who mentioned my article, here it is:
http://www.quezon.ph/?p=691
you'll find many of the tombs photographed by senor enrique discussed in it.-
Señor Enrique said...
Many thanks for sharing with us the URL, Manolo. I've originally discovered it when I googled Tony Perez' name. I should have re-read your article prior to my going to Noth Cemetery. But what I'll do next year is base my photos from the tombs you've mentioned and cross-link the post with yours.
I thought about your grandfather's but realized he was moved to the Memorial Circle, but will look for your family's next time as well.
Thanks again!
Eric-
said...
Very nice photos :)
Too bad when we visited North Cemetery this afternoon we were harassed and stopped from taking any pictures...-
Señor Enrique said...
I wonder why they stopped you from taking photos, Jordan?
Perhaps, next time do it during the holiday itself. This way, everyone would be too busy to pay you any attention as you take pictures. That's what I did.
Thanks!
