Respect Sagada’s tradition for the dead, tourists told

MANILA, Philippines — The municipal tourism office of Sagada in Mountain Province has reminded both residents and visitors to observe “panag-apoy” with humility and respect, and allow the town’s clans to remember their departed using “long-standing practices.”

Tourists usually flock to Sagada cemeteries on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 to witness families gather around the tombs to light fatwood, called “saeng” or “saleng,” in remembrance of their deceased relatives.

“The community’s appeal highlights the importance of respecting indigenous cultural and spiritual traditions, particularly when tourism promotion risks turning a solemn act of remembrance into a commercial spectacle,” the local government said in a statement on Tuesday.

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The appeal came following public outrage at tour operators and agents who promote the community’s panag-apoy as a festival or commercial tourist attraction, instead of respecting it as “a solemn way of honoring the departed loved ones.”

Remembrance, reverence

Panag-apoy, a Kankanaey term meaning “to light a fire,” is a long-standing cultural and spiritual tradition observed during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. The ritual begins with an afternoon necrological Mass and the blessing of graves by a priest.

Families then gather around the Church of St. Mary the Virgin inside the cemetery, to light pieces of pinewood at the graves of their kin, the tourism office said.

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“For the community, the fires symbolize remembrance, reverence and the continuing bond between the living and the dead,” the tourism office explained.

Earlier on Oct. 22, the Echo Valley and Paytokan tours were suspended due to the scheduled “leben” (burial) that day.

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The Sagada government and the Church of St. Mary the Virgin have issued a joint advisory indicating the celebration of a Holy Mass at 3 p.m. on Nov. 1.

Church gates will be closed once the Mass starts, and attendees are asked to keep their voices low and refrain from taking photographs during the service, they advised.

“Visitors may observe panag-apoy from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. but must remain in the designated area along the road leading to the (cell site) Tower and be accompanied by authorized tourist guides,” Sagada officials said.

Residents are instructed to light their saeng only after the priest arrives and prayers at the cemetery are completed.

Burning plastics and tires is strictly prohibited, the advisory said.

Bringing liquor, playing loud music, jamming and engaging in other disruptive activities will also be banned.

Drone flights are also prohibited throughout the observance, except for authorized monitoring operations subject to applicable regulations and required permissions, they added.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Cordillera has supported Sagada on its reminder to tourists and residents.

“Panag-apoy is a sacred cultural tradition, not a festival or a tourism event. Observed by families in Sagada in remembrance of their departed loved ones, this solemn tradition is deeply rooted in the community’s cultural beliefs and practices,” the DOT said in a social media post on Tuesday.

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“It is a time for remembrance and honoring the dead, and should not be presented, promoted, or packaged as a festival, entertainment, or staged tourist attraction,” it added.