The Red Light District

Every year, my family (the ones in Manila anyway) head over to my grandparents’ hometown of Kawit, Cavite to visit the family crypt at Wakas Cemetery.

Diaz family plot—this is my grandmother’s side of the family.

This is where Tita Gina rests now.

The Villanuevas.

Here’s me wearing my usual Undas-resistant look. I don’t know why but I’ve always resisted Undas—maybe it’s because it reminds me more than ever that certain members of my family are lost to us now.

This year, though, was  a little different. I had my camera with me, and instead of rotting in boredom at the usual spots in Wakas Cemetery, I went out with my shutterhappy cousin and took photos of, well, other crypts. Hehe.

Walkway leading to my grandfather’s brother’s mausoleum. Woman walking is my grandmother.

Remember the Air Philippines plane that crashed in Samal Island, Davao? This is where one of the stewardesses is buried.

A closer look inside and you’ll see the Air Philippines logo. I remember that plane crash—a number of the people there were acquaintances of my family. It was terrible.

Most of the mausoleums already look like houses. Some even had TV sets in them.

One of the more outstanding crypts that caught our attention. An Aguinaldo is buried here. I don’t know if he/she’s related to Emilio Aguinaldo, but the latter is from Kawit so they probably are. I wanted to drop by his ancestral home—we pass by it every time and the last I’ve been there was when I was too young to care so I’d love to drop by again some time.

Finally, Wakas at sunset.

Francis and I loved the sun that day. It was a great day to take photos.