Em Esber Blog 2

While ancestor veneration is an ancient part of Filipino culture, the modern observance is believed to have been imported from Mexico when the island (as part of the Spanish East Indies) were governed from Mexico City as part of the Vice royalty of New Spain. During the holiday (observed on the 1st day of November),

Filipinos customarily visit family tombs and other graves, which they repair and clean. Entire families spend a night or two at the loved ones' tombs, passing time with card games, eating, drinking, singing and dancing. Prayers such as the rosary are often said for the deceased, who are normally offered candles, flowers, food, and even liquor. Some Catholic Chinese-Filipino families additionally offer joss sticks to the dead, and observe customs otherwise associated with the Hungry Ghost Festival.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead

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For Catholics, the proper day to visit their deceased loved ones in the cemeteries is actually on November 2nd, which is All Souls' Day. This is the appropriate day for mourning the dead. There should be no parties or merry making on this day.

But most Filipinos visit the cemeteries on November 1st, All Saints' Day. However, this is supposed to be one of the happiest feast days of the Church because it celebrates the Feast of All Saints.

http://www.philstar.com/opinion/opinion/2013/10/31/1251413/undas-filipino-culture

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Traffic jam at Jose Rizal Street in the early morning of Undas (All Saint's Day) - 1st Nov. 2016

Corner of Jose Rizal Street and J. Bernardo Street

Corner of Jose Rizal Street and M.G. Santos Street

Continuation of Jose Rizal Street.

Passing E. Rodriguez Sreet (Cale Street) in going to Cemetery

Entering the "Eskinita" small street going to the Old Catholic Cemetery and the new private cemetery the Holy Immaculate Concepcion Memorial Park. 1st Nov. 2016