Cemetery Experience?
By K31
@keihimekawa (2009)
Philippines
November 1, 2011 9:43pm CST
It doesn't have to be scary though 
Just last October 31st, I went with my parents and aunts to the Chinese Cemetery to pay respect for our dearly departed. We were greeted with quite a lot of traffic re-routing plans and traffic that day. It's ok though. We're expecting it.
When we arrived at the area near the cemetery gate, we were told by quite a number of people who live near there that they don't allow cars inside the cemetery which is something new since we ALWAYS take our car in. That's why we always go on the 31st. Another thing, my real mom and aunt had difficulties in walking due to rheumatism and polio. I also called the cemetery admin staff before we went to the cemetery and they said they do allow cars in. My dad's not in a good mood and people who kept saying that the cemetery was filled to the brim and they don't allow cars in aren't helping at all. Since we know the truth, we ignored the people and kept driving in (who wouldn't? 4-5 card ahead of us are allowed to go in). Some even told us that parking spaces inside the cemetery costs PhP400 and those outside are PhP100.
When we reached the actual gate, we were stopped by a group of PNP, saying that we can't go in. I explained to them that I have 2 people with walking disability and they were like "Let us see!" and they kept insisting that we need to pay these people Php100 for parking space, etc. That agitated my dad. He shouted at the police and people around our car that how come we're the only ones who are not allowed to go in the cemetery while the cars ahead of us are allowed to do so. The PNP eventually allowed us to go through and guess what?
The Chinese Cemetery isn't even crowded with people. There are quite a lot of space that there are kids running around and people biking. There are cars inside and there's no parking fee inside the cemetery.
Just last October 31st, I went with my parents and aunts to the Chinese Cemetery to pay respect for our dearly departed. We were greeted with quite a lot of traffic re-routing plans and traffic that day. It's ok though. We're expecting it.
When we arrived at the area near the cemetery gate, we were told by quite a number of people who live near there that they don't allow cars inside the cemetery which is something new since we ALWAYS take our car in. That's why we always go on the 31st. Another thing, my real mom and aunt had difficulties in walking due to rheumatism and polio. I also called the cemetery admin staff before we went to the cemetery and they said they do allow cars in. My dad's not in a good mood and people who kept saying that the cemetery was filled to the brim and they don't allow cars in aren't helping at all. Since we know the truth, we ignored the people and kept driving in (who wouldn't? 4-5 card ahead of us are allowed to go in). Some even told us that parking spaces inside the cemetery costs PhP400 and those outside are PhP100.
When we reached the actual gate, we were stopped by a group of PNP, saying that we can't go in. I explained to them that I have 2 people with walking disability and they were like "Let us see!" and they kept insisting that we need to pay these people Php100 for parking space, etc. That agitated my dad. He shouted at the police and people around our car that how come we're the only ones who are not allowed to go in the cemetery while the cars ahead of us are allowed to do so. The PNP eventually allowed us to go through and guess what?
The Chinese Cemetery isn't even crowded with people. There are quite a lot of space that there are kids running around and people biking. There are cars inside and there's no parking fee inside the cemetery.2 people like this
9 responses
@annavi23 (6522)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
Wow, nice making money huh? what country are you from? I bet from the Philippines cause most of the people abuses others by doing that kind of making money. I wonder why they have to do that. They just bring problems to others and themselves as well. What cemetery are you visiting? I bet you are in the cemetery where most people are rich so some abuses who visits there. May I ask did you really say the PNP or police also demands on letting you pay for them? What kind of officers is that?
@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
Yup I'm from Philippines and during that time, we're visiting Chinese Cemetery.
There are around 6-10 officers there but only 2 approached our car (the rest are waiting along the gate area or something). Alongside those 2 officers are 2 more people whom I think live near the gates (I think they are using the front of their houses as parking spaces). One person, after letting the cars in front of us pass (around 2-3 cars), immediately blocked our path using a steel blockage thing. Those 2-3 cars are also interviewed by the same officers. I don't know what to call those things in English... Those things that they place in front of roads that are being repaired/blocked... One officer told us to just pay 100 bucks for parking outside the gates and won't believe that my real mom and aunt had difficulty in walking. I wasn't able to get his name nor can I remember his face. I was more worried about my dad since he'll really agitated and yelled at the police officer.
@annavi23 (6522)
• Philippines
5 Nov 11
It would be nice if you had taken the names of the officers but then you have said no, it would be easier to report what happened. If this things is always happening in the cemetery for souls day.Too bad, there are people who wants to take advantage of the season. Well, I hope they'll respect the souls instead.
@chiyosan (30183)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
Oh. We have not gone to the cemetery because we have no one to visit. except maybe tomorrow when me and my bf might take a trip and go visit his grand mom's.
I think though tomorrow, there would be lesser to no people already because most have already gone the last few days. :D
I saw in the news though how much people are flocking to go to the cemetery and it probably has reached a million for the last 3 days!
@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
It's a good idea to NOT go to the cemetery on the actual All Saints' Day since it might turn out to be hell of an experience. You can't solemnly pray since the surrounding's noisy, there are a lot of people and other cons which I won't mention since it would take me a whole new discussion to post them all 
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
we always go to cemetery on the actual day. and yes it is really noisy and everyone seems to be partying and having a picnic. And since my grandfather's grave is actually with his relatives side - whom we are not actually close with. We are normally the only relative/family who visits him there, the family's religion is those who don't actually go there on All Saints Day.
People who visits the grave beside my grandfather's grave usually sits on my granddad's grave and our place, not even respecting our dear grandfather's grave, thinking that no one will visit him.
I hate those people and last year they are gambling on top of my grandfather's grave. Inconsiderate people! Once we get some space near our town then we might transfer my grandfather's grave.
@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
4 Nov 11
Yup. That's so true. But then, there are people who fell into their trap and paid money just for parking.
@Piloncitos (305)
• Philippines
5 Nov 11
Perhaps they are those kind of people who don't like to argue more.
@shanemae (1025)
• Philippines
7 Nov 11
oh, sorry to hear that kei..
it seemed that a lot of people now are so greedy and "oportunista" in our dialect.
we should be careful with that.
probably they are not really people from PNP!
our PNP now is very used with issues like that which makes us doubt to believe in them. i hope these people would stop using the name of PNP! this is terrible!
with regards to your question, i didn't have any disgusting or scary experience in the cementery.
@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
8 Nov 11
I definitely agree with you. There are still people inside PNP who does their work real well. It's sad that these people are stereotyped as "negative images" in the PNP too since there are "bad blocks" among them 
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
What the heck! They are trying to make money the best way they can
It's just disappointing that the ones doing it are the authorities that should've be looked upon as models of our society.
I thought to give them considerations that they might not want it to be crowded inside the cemetery. But when you said there were quite a lot of parking space insde and no parking is charged inside, then it just answer how corrupt and abusive they are of their power.
It's just disappointing that the ones doing it are the authorities that should've be looked upon as models of our society.
I thought to give them considerations that they might not want it to be crowded inside the cemetery. But when you said there were quite a lot of parking space insde and no parking is charged inside, then it just answer how corrupt and abusive they are of their power.@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
I know! And when I say it's not crowded, I really mean there's a lot of free space for everyone! People can even walk without colliding from each other, children can play freely. I know that they don't allow cars inside Chinese Cemetery on the 1st but not on the 31st or the 2nd.
I have this funny feeling that they are milking extra cash from those who parked outside the cemetery. It's really ridiculous and I can't erase this thought that since they think most Chinese are "rich", they can get something from them. Around 12NN or 1PM, the gate is already cleared of people and police.
It's really frustrating...
@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
Well yes I agree with you, most people has that connotation that if someone is a Chinese or a fair/mestizo looking Filipino then they would think they must be rich. In your case, it is a Chinese cemetery so they were expecting maybe that everyone that comes in and out of that cemetery is running a business and is rich so a hundred or more bucks is just nothing to you whew what kind of system is that!
Thankfully you managed to get in without paying more than that. However, if they insist you can always try to get the attention of the cemetery management.
whew what kind of system is that!
Thankfully you managed to get in without paying more than that. However, if they insist you can always try to get the attention of the cemetery management.@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
Exactly! After my dad had an outburst, the police didn't say anything and simply let my fuming dad go through. We do received some curses and angry stares from non-police people near the area (those who are offering parking spaces)
@ikbtn1 (23)
• United States
3 Nov 11
wow,lol you dont need to blame them,corruption is every where in the world,they are just hungry peasants looking for people to extract money from.but seriously it a serious issue and i think the government should do something about it because if they dont,these so called PNP might illegally propound a law of paying money before going into the cementary which is definitely not good.
@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
3 Nov 11
It's just sad to see that the ones whom people should trust and rely on are actually the ones who harass people.
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
3 Nov 11
Wow that is something but it happens due to traffic at this time of the month. Well we also had traffic experience last Nov 1, my brother in law had to park their car around 5 blocks from the main entrance of the cemetery! The cemetery is fully loaded with cars and we cannot get through so he had no other choice but to park that far..
@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
3 Nov 11
That's one thing I hate with cemeteries especially when you're visiting on November 1. That's why my family opted to visit the cemetery either a day before or a day after All Saints' Day. To add, I'm with someone with polio so walking long distances for her is a difficult task.
@bingskee (5234)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
it is sad to hear something like this. these men in uniform are supposed to be the ones assisting us. that is why it is really becoming difficult to trust them. we can't blame a lot of people losing their trust in the PNP.
sometimes, the question of why these men are becoming crooks instead of being responsible men in uniform bothers me. is it the government that is to blame? or evil is becoming widespread already that even the good are transformed?
@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
That's the sad part of it :( The more that they are in power, the more they harass people :( How can you tell people to trust in the PNP if they are the ones who are actually showing sides which common people can't trust?
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
I just hope you were able to get their names and have them reported.
These are few of their modus to earned money (ugh!)
@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
2 Nov 11
Unfortunately, no. I was more worried with my dad's yelling and agitation towards the police that I wasn't able to get their names nor remember their faces. It's a good thing that Chinese Cemetery had 2 exits. We left the area using the back exit.
