• Marc7 Travels
  • Marc7 Travels Blog Entries
  • Viajerong Pinoy
  • Explore Manila!
  • Contact
  marc7 travels



Tomb Raiding in Pinas (A Halloween Special)

10/31/2020

0 Comments

 
​I always looked forward to this time of the year during my growing up years in Baguio because of two things - the Halloween Special of “Magandang Gabi Bayan” and trick-or-treating around PMA. These two activities made the celebration spooky and fun. We shared stories that scared us sh*t, collected goodies while in costume, and even held Halloween parties. These festivities formed part of my childhood memories.
Picture
Happy Halloween! Let's gather our nerves and explore popular cemeteries in the country.
As I grew older and started traveling around the Philippines, my fascination for Philippine history also had me researching on historical cemeteries. Spanish-period cemeteries, with their own brand of beauty, was interesting to explore. My travel itineraries included dark tourism spots as these destinations have their own narratives to share that is both historically and culturally relevant.
Intramuros was a site where many Filipinos died during the liberation of Manila.
Siquijor is another dark tourism destination popular for witchcraft and sorcery.
Paco Park was once a cemetery and was turned into an urban park.
As we celebrate this spooky season differently this year, let me share with you seven Philippine cemeteries that made a mark during my travels around the Philippines. These spots had their own history, sometimes creepy experiences, to share and enjoy with you.
 
San Joaquin Spanish Cemetery, San Joaquin, Iloilo
 
The San Joaquin Spanish Cemetery jumpstarted my interest in dark tourism. While researching for interesting destinations near Miag-ao, I stumbled upon a blog that featured the Spanish-period cemetery. The elegant beauty of its simborio and the thought of it being intact for centuries caught my attention that I had to visit the place.
Picture
The Spanish-period cemetery of San Joaquin piqued my interest with dark tourism destinations.
The San Joaquin Spanish Cemetery was built in 1892 and is one of the well-preserved Spanish-period cemeteries in the country. Its octagonal camposanto, with its classical, is its centerpiece. The staircase leading to the camposanto was constructed by the female residents of San Joaquin as an obligation to the Spanish monarchs.
The serene atmosphere of the San Joaquin Spanish Cemetery.
The main attraction is its beautiful camposanto.
The cemetery is located along the highway so it is easy to find.
Here is a creepy and funny anecdote during my first visit. As I was exploring the camposanto, I got creeped out by an eerie sound that came behind it. It gave me goosebumps that I prepared to leave. I was surprised when a caretaker came out from the side. Apparently, he also heard my movements that creeped him out, as well. We both got scared sh*t by the movements that we were both making.

Read about my Iloilo trip here: Of Souls and Saints
 
Hanging Coffins of Sagada, Mountain Province
 
The Hanging Coffins of Sagada is one of its tourism draws that seeing it up close is not creepy. These coffins resting on the walls of limestone formations speak of the rich century-old culture of the country’s northern highlands. It gives its guests a glimpse of their valued traditions that goes beyond just being an attraction.
Picture
The Hanging Coffins of Sagada is a representation of a century-old tradition.
Picture
The public cemetery of Sagada burns brightly on November 1.
Picture
The Lumiang Burial Cave is another sacred burial site in Sagada.
The small coffins hanging on limestone walls are believed to be the vessels of the departed to the afterlife. The coffins are relatively small in size because the remains are mounted in a fetal position. The hanging caskets that we often see in pictures are the ones that are easily accessible via a short hike down echo valley. Our local guide shares with us that there are other hanging coffins on the other limestone formations of the town.
Only prominent and important people are given the privileged to be buried in this manner.
Some of these limestone formations have hanging coffins on its crevices.
A desecrated coffin by irresponsible tourists.
​There are other burial sites in Sagada. The Lumiang Burial Cave is another local sacred spot where you get to see wooden coffins stacked on top of each other. Some were even desecrated by irresponsible tourists. The local cemetery of Sagada is also an attraction every November 1st as the hillside lights up in flames as bonfires are lit up instead on candles to remember their departed love ones.

Read about my Sagada trip here: #GOT81MountainProvince: Sagada In Its True Form
 

The American Cemetery, Taguig City
 
The American Cemetery is a sprawling memorial to World War 2 heroes. The 62-hectare cemetery is the final resting place of 17, 206 Filipino and American freedom fighters and is the largest memorial, in terms of numbers, for US personnels killed during WW2. It is maintained by the American Battle Monument Commission.
Picture
The American Cemetery is a memorial for WW2 heroes.
Picture
It is the final resting place of 17, 206 freedom fighters.
​At the center of the cemetery is a memorial where one can get a brief on the actions taken to liberate the Philippines through its mosaic maps. The names of those who are buried in the cemetery are also engraved on the marble walls of the memorial. A small chapel is at the center where one can offer a short prayer for those interred here.
Picture
One of the mosaic maps that outlined the actions done in the Pacific.
The Memorial Chapel of the American Cemetery.
The tranquil ambiance of the memorial make it a great place to calm the mind.
The marble walls of the hallway where the names of the dead are engraved.
​The cemetery was designed where the marble headstones are arranged in a circle. Trees and shrubs are part of the design giving it a tranquil vibe. It is a good place to head off to to get your mind cleared because it doesn’t feel like you are in a cemetery, at all.

Read about our Taguig exploration here: Explore Manila! (Taguig)
 

San Agustin Church, Intramuros, Manila
 
Most of the old churches in the Philippines also served as the final resting place of the community’s prominent personalities and San Agustin Church is one of them. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the oldest stone church in the Philippines and was the only one, among the 7 churches in Intramuros, that survived the liberation of Manila.
Picture
The San Agustin Church is the oldest church in the country.
The hallowed halls of the San Agustin Museum.
The columbarium of San Agustin are the final resting place of prominent personalities.
Juan Luna's remains are interred in San Agustin Church.
​The San Agustin Church has a columbarium in one of its chambers. One may think that these are the final resting place of the Augustinian priests but it is not. Prominent people are interred here that includes the remains of Juan Luna and Juan de Salcedo.
 
Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery, Nagcarlan, Laguna
 
Another interesting cemetery to visit is the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery. Built in 1845, the cemetery is a historical landmark for its historical and cultural significance. It is also the only known Spanish-period underground cemetery in the Philippines.
Picture
The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery is the only Spanish underground cemetery in the country.
Picture
The cemetery is recognized for its historical value.
Picture
The camposanto of the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery.
​A small kapilya is the main centerpiece of the cemetery. This is where the final rights are given by the priests before the remains are laid to rest. It has a small altar with the image of the dead Christ as its main figure. From here, a flight of stairs will lead you to the “basement” of the kapilya.
The basement houses tombs of locals of Nagcarlan.
The underground cemetery was a meeting place of revolutionaries.
Locals claim that one of the tomb is a tunnel connected to the Nagcarlan Church.
​Being in the middle of the underground cemetery felt odd. The tombstones and the enclosed space was a bit uncomfortable. The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery also served as a secret meeting place of revolutionaries. Local narratives also claim that one of the burial vault is a secret tunnel that leads to the Nagcarlan Church.

Read about our Nagcarlan adventure here: Going Underground in Nagcarlan
 
Janiu-ay Cemetery, Janiu-ay, Iloilo
 
Janiu-ay is an old Iloilo town established in 1769. It is home to 2 Spanish-period heritage structures and one of which is its Spanish-period cemetery dubbed as the country’s “most artistic cemetery”.
Picture
The Janiu-ay Cemetery is popular for its three grand staircases leading to its gates.
The Janiu-ay Cemetery is a public cemetery that boasts of 3 grand staircases that lead up to its arched entrances. It took 9 years for the locals to complete its construction. The main staircase has 23 steps while the other 2 have 22 and 21 steps that lead up to its entrance.
The cemetery is dubbed as the country's most artistic cemetery.
The main gate of the cemetery with its octagonal simborio.
The elegant interior of its simborio.
​At the heart of the Janiu-ay Cemetery is the octagonal camposanto where the last rites for the dead are given. Its small altar is highlighted by the image of Mother Mary and Jesus.

Read about our Iloilo trip here: #JournalsOfTheTravelingDaDa: Beyond the City of Iloilo
 
Hamtic Cemetery, Hamtic, Antique
 
From Iloilo, we hop on a bus to head off to the oldest town of Antique to visit the Hamtic Cemetery Church. The cemetery sits along the highway, in the middle of rice fields, so getting there can be quite tricky. My visit there gave me curious stares from locals because who would be interested to visit their local cemetery.
Picture
The Hamtic Cemetery Church is both eerie and interesting.
The Hamtic Cemetery Church was designed in baroque-style similar to the San Joaquin Church and Miag-ao Church, minus the intricate-sculptured facade. Tombstones adorn the lower part of the walls of the church. Its interior is plain with an image of the crucified Christ as its centerpiece.
The image of the Risen Christ at the church facade.
The simple interior of the church.
The cemetery is often associated with "aswangs".
​Here’s another personal travel anecdote on Hamtic Church Cemetery. I have read paranormal stories associated to the cemetery during the trip and one of that stories included relatives putting garlic and salt around the tomb of newly buried family members. This was a practice to keep “aswangs” away from the fresh corpse. The story got into me that I slept the same night with powdered tawas beside me. I woke up feeling stupid and funny the next day.

Read about my Antique travel here: #GOT81Antique: Beyond Antique's Kawa and Rolling Hills
​POST TRAVEL NOTES
Philippine history and culture transcend life and death. Our narratives include our beliefs about the afterlife. Our ancestors had practices that helped the dead crossover while the beauty and elegance of cemeteries outlines the celebration of life by our colonizers even after death. These dark tourism destinations have its own narrative to share that speak of our colorful history, culture, and traditions.
Picture
Thinking of exploring the city on bike.
​As we celebrate All Saint’s Day differently this year, I hope we all take the time to celebrate the happy memories of our departed loved ones. I hope that we also celebrate life and learn to live it to the fullest. Let us share creepy stories inside the comforts of our homes and make plans to explore dark tourism destinations in the Philippines to get that unique hair-raising experience.
 
Happy Halloween!!!

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Home
    @viajerongpinoy
    #EXPLORemanila

    Marc del Rosario

    I believe in education, entrepreneurship, and caring for the environment.

    Picture

    Archives

    March 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    August 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    April 2012
    January 2012
    October 2011
    March 2011
    January 2011
    July 2010
    January 2010
    August 2009

    RSS Feed