In Sagada, a flaming remembrance for the dead
SAGADA -- A hilltop cemetery here glowed as locals lit fires to remember their dead, keeping the "Panag-apoy" tradition alive, despite rains from Typhoon Rosita (Yutu) days before.
Unlike candles, pine wood or "saeng" can withstand the winds and chilly temperatures in this highland town that is also a tourist destination.
The fires illuminate the smoke from the flames, serving as a backdrop for selfies and souvenir photos. It's an extraordinary sight for tourists, said Leonard Batnag, a guide of 18 years.
Visitors, however, should remember to observe the solemnity of the "Panag-apoy."
