UNDAS 2026: Manila North Cemetery says Oct. 27 is last day for cleaning tombs

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The Manila North Cemetery issued its schedule for the All Saints' Day (Undas) season this year, with dates set for cleanup of tombs and burials. It also issued reminders for the public visiting the cemetery during those days.

The last day for cleaning, repairing, and repainting of tombs is Tuesday, October 27.

For burials, Wednesday, October 28 is the last day to hold them.

Starting Thursday, October 29, and until Monday, November 2, the Manila North Cemetery will be open to the public from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

No vehicles will be allowed inside the cemetery from October 29 to November 2.

Not allowed inside

Meanwhile, the Manila North Cemetery management advised the public not to bring the following items when visiting as these will not be allowed inside the cemetery grounds:

• firearm
• sharp objects
• alcoholic drinks
• pets
• guitars
• loud sound system
• flammable items such as alcohol and thinner
• gambling paraphernalia

Manila North Cemetery Director Daniel C. Tan appealed to the public to follow their guidelines to ensure peace and order during Undas.

More than 1 million visitors went to the Manila North Cemetery on November 1 last year.

Flushing operation

As part of preparations for Undas 2026, the Department of Environment and Public Services (DEPS) conducted flushing operations inside the cemetery on Sunday, October 11.

The activity is aimed at ensuring cleanliness inside the cemetery.

Undas has been a common term to refer to All Saints’ Day in the Philippines.

Philippine studies professor Schedar Jocson said Undas came from Filipinos’ habit of making words shorter in the past.

“Yung mga Pilipino noon, dahil hindi nakapag-aral ng wikang Kastila, pinaiikli nalang 'yung mga pahayag. Undas means Dia Delos Todos Santos o ang ibig sabihin ay Day of All Saints,” Jocson said.

[Because Filipinos weren’t able to learn foreign language before, they just shorten phrases. Undas means Dia Delos Todos Santos or Day of All Saints.]

Malacañang earlier declared November 1, Sunday (All Saints Day) and November 2, Monday (All Souls Day) as special non-working days to allow the public to have time to visit the tombs of their departed loved ones. —KG, GMA News