Mounds, Magnets and Mausoleums!

The Chinese Cemetery Walking Tour was great. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and learned a bit about Philippine History. First of all, the cemetery was created in the 1500's when the "Spaniards" came and took control. In their effort to build infrastructure in the Philippines, they had a heavy influx of Chinese laborers. In addition, they brought Catholicism to the Philippines. As people passed away they were buried in the cemetery...if they were Catholic. Those non-Catholics (which were a lot of the Chinese as Buddhism is popular in China), in addition to the poor, were not allowed in the regular cemetery. Therefore the creation of the Chinese Cemetery (though more than just the Chinese are buried here). The mixture of religions is fascinating. The main "parlor" where they would have services includes this case of icons.

Notice that there are just as many Buddhas as there are crosses or Virgin Mary statues. I have never seen these two religions represented together in this way. Who ever said we can't all get along?

The cemetery is full of tons of mausoleums (individual or family ones, not the huge ones we have the states). This photo is from the door of a VERY nice one. There is food and gift offerings in the front, with the casket casing in the rear. This particular mausoleum has a restroom (nicer than mine here). The reason for this is that on All Saints Day (Nov. 1) families gather for the day in the mausoleums to pay respect to the dead. Now if you are there all day, you need a toilet. And with a toilet, a sink (at least you hope there is a sink). So the creature comforts are for the living creatures, not the dead ones! From the outside, these look like little houses. Some have open walls to the outside air, but have four outer posts with a ceiling and others have 4 full walls.

Where others are WAY over the top and are the size a normal 2 bedroom apartment. Those big ones are in the area pictured below, which I think could be a street in San Diego...Those are not houses you see lining the streets, they are mausoleums.

Anyhow, I learned much more, but thought I would share with you all a few tidbits. Although it sadden me to be away from Jones for 6 hours, I did it and I am glad I took the tour.