Severe heat conditions prompted weather authorities to issue extreme caution warnings across Manila on Sunday as tens of thousands of cemetery visitors faced rising temperatures to observe All Saints’ Day.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recorded a heat index ranging between 36 and 38 degrees Celsius in Manila by noon.
The elevated readings led the weather bureau to advise the public to exercise extreme caution when remaining outdoors for extended periods.
According to health guidelines associated with these temperature thresholds, individuals exposed to such heat levels face heightened risks of heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Symptoms include dizziness, physical fatigue, headaches, vomiting, and light-headedness.
Health officials warn that unmitigated exposure to high heat can escalate to heat stroke, a life-threatening medical emergency marked by confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
Despite the harsh weather conditions, heavy foot traffic continued across the capital’s major burial grounds throughout the day.
At Manila South Cemetery, visitor turnouts reached 52,350 as of 11 a.m. on Sunday, with municipal officials projecting total arrivals to reach 100,000 by the end of the operating hours at 9 p.m.
Concurrently, Manila North Cemetery logged an estimated 124,800 visitors as of 9 a.m., operating on an expanded schedule from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To avoid the peak midday sun and heavy crowds, several visitors adjusted their arrival times to seek shade and cooler early morning temperatures.
Zyrelle Tolentino, who arrived early with her family to visit the graves of her mother and sister at Manila North Cemetery, noted that timing their arrival made a significant difference.
“Maaga po kami kasi ayaw po namin sumabay sa dagsa ng mga tao. So ngayon, dumiretso na kami nang mas maaga para mas matagal pa yung stay namin dito. Sakto kasi, mas malilim,” Tolentino said.
(We came early because we wanted to avoid the crowds. We decided to arrive much earlier this time so we could spend more time here. It’s also shadier.)
Visitors across both locations relied on personal protective measures to withstand the sun, gathering under trees, using umbrellas and towels, and relying on hand fans while navigating the grounds.