THE “NO overnight stay” policy in cemeteries for the Kalag-kalag generated differing reactions from Davaoeños.
Mario Rubio, 59, a resident of NHA Buhangin who has three deceased family members buried in Davao Memorial Park, said the new guideline was a big change, especially since they have been staying overnight in the cemetery since the death of his brother in 1992.
“Imbes kay kami ato mag-ampo kay hinungod sa patay dili ka concentrate kay pirteng sabaa sa pikas silingan, kay nagpasounds nya nag inom, worst to nga kalag-kalag,” Rubio said.
“I-compare nako karon, maka concentrate karon mag pray kay wala nagyud saba, labi na karon nga bawal ang overnight, moadtog menteryo mag pray dili kay diha na noon mag disco, mag-inom, mas okay karon nga panahon,” he added.
Pocholo Bustamante, 41, a resident of Bago Aplaya whose three deceased family members are also buried in Davao Memorial, said it is better not to stay overnight as remembering the dead does not necessarily require loud music and overstaying.
“Mas han-ay sya kay walay samok o gubot, unlike sauna nga matabunan na sa mga tent [sa mga naga overnight] nya matagbaw kag pangita sa lubnganan,” Bustamante.
He added that they have not stayed overnight ever since to avoid crowds and loud music.
Meanwhile, Daisydario Dagaang, a resident of Marval Street, said the prohibition on staying overnight was a huge disadvantage as their visiting family members came from other regions in Mindanao.
Dagaang said they were forced to stop their longtime tradition of taking advantage of the holiday to have a mini-reunion. Since 2006, clan members have been staying overnight at Orchard Memorial Park to remember 13 departed loved ones.
“Kanindot unta kung mabalik ang kaniadto, nga diin ang atong pagselebrar, wala unta curfew panahon sa kagabhion,” Dagaang said.
“Kami lang, isip respeto sa ordinansa, wa man tay mahimo pero hanyo lang basin sa sunod, matagaan og extension, basta gwapo lang ang tyempo og panahon,” he added.
Staying overnight in cemeteries was prohibited from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3, according to the city’s Oplan Kaluluwa guidelines.
The visiting public was only allowed from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. with 9 p.m. as the cut-off time of entry.
Police regional director Brig Gen Alden B. Delvo said the guideline was “to prevent the people from intoxicating liquor, that may cause problems afterwards.”
Delvo said that while curfew started at 10 p.m., Davaoeños inside cemeteries were ware given 1-2 hours leeway to pack up their things.
“Daghan man pud silang gipangbitbit, tagaan pud nato sila og oras, dili nato sila hara-harahon. I could probably say by 11 pm, cleared na atong sementeryo,” he added.
