... And my cemetery visit this year continues at Panay Catholic Cemetery in the town of Panay, Capiz. This is another circular cemetery, with diameters of 70 cm and made of coral stones. Entering the arch, you will read this Spanish inscription, common among Spanish-era cemeteries, that reads:
"Remember, man, that you are dust and on Earth you have to return, then as you are I was, and as I am you have to be."
Standing opposite the arch is the ruins of the capilla, covered with makeshift roofing, for the sake, maybe, of the cemetery-goers. Compared to that of Roxas City's old campo santo, Panay's capilla is not overly crowded with niches. A human-size cross hangs on the wall and on the ground, the faithful place the candles that they lit for their dearly departed.
The cemetery lot was donated by Don Maximo Bediones, while the steel gate was constructed out from the generosity of his sister-in-law Doña Concepcion vda. De Bediones.
Standing right outside the capilla is the grandest tomb I've ever seen in the entire Capiz - that of the cemetery's benefactor, Don Maximo Bediones. A colorful personality during his lifetime, Tan Emo, as he is still referred to by locals and descendants to this day, was Panay's last capitan municipal. Regarded for his generosity, he lived until his 112th year and managed to sire his youngest child at the age of 99. (A descendant told me he fathered his youngest child at the age of 110, born Jan. 26, 1930). His tomb, still immaculately maintained by his descendants, could claim the record as the tallest of its kind in Western Visayas, towering over the entire cemetery.
There is no doubt that cemeteries are interesting heritage sites. For heritage buffs like I am, it is worth visiting. Tombs, niches, mausoleums, cemetery walls - they all have stories to tell. Many are surprising, some, like Tan Emo's story, intriguing. by Christian George Acevedo, November 2, 2023
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