In the heart of the Philippine capital lies a sprawling cemetery that serves as an unusual home for many families. Among the tombs and graves of the nation's wealthiest, including presidents and movie stars, these families have carved out a living in a place meant for the dead. Many of them, like De Los Santos, have lived in this cemetery for generations, maintaining and guarding the tombs of the affluent.
The cemetery dwellers engage in various tasks to earn a living. They commonly carve headstones, dig graves, or sweep tombs, making an average of 50 pesos (US$0.85) a month from work on each tomb. Annually, their earnings can reach up to 600 pesos (US$10.18) per tomb. Despite the meager income, these families have managed to thrive here, forming close relationships with the wealthy families whose tombs they maintain.
The origin of these families' residency in the cemetery dates back to when they were first employed as caretakers. Wealthy families hired them to maintain their clan's tombs and keep grave robbers at bay. Over time, this arrangement became a way of life for many, leading to large family sizes such as De Los Santos', who has 10 siblings. At 40 years old, De Los Santos grew up within the cemetery's confines and has raised two children there.
Life in the cemetery is unique and challenging. The dwellers face threats not from supernatural entities but from more tangible dangers. As De Los Santos states:
"You're just fighting the addicts. People who can really do something bad to you when they're on drugs. But ghosts … this is where we grew up. There really aren't any." – De Los Santos
The cemetery is more than just a place of employment; it is a community where bonds are formed over shared experiences and mutual dependence. Despite their unusual surroundings, the dwellers do not believe in ghosts, seeing the cemetery as merely the place they call home.
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