Day of the dead brings candle business to life

CEBU, Philippines - The cemetery — apart from its basic purpose to be a burial ground for the dead – has also become a place for small-scale vendors to start a livelihood.

When many people start to flock to cemeteries in time for the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, it's a celebration and an opportunity for cemetery traders to earn better income.

Candle makers and vendors are one of those who always look forward to the brisk business that happens only during these days when people pay their respects to their departed love ones.

Candle maker Cepin Rama, 50, said the celebration of the two holy days always generate good income for them. Rama lives with her family beside the Calamba cemetery, which is one of the oldest and biggest public graveyards in Cebu City.

It is also where they manufacture candles through the traditional manual process of molding candles.

"Ang minteryo nahimo na gyud namong panginabuhian kay dinhi na gud mi nagnegosyo tibuok tuig di lang adlaw sa mga kalag ug Santos," Rama told The Freeman in an interview inside the cemetery where she owns a small stall selling candles and flowers.

There are no less than 15 stalls in the local graveyard that sells plain candles (sold at P1 to P5), flower arrangements (sold at P10 to P15) and liturgical items such as rosaries and small prayer books.

"Dinhi na pud mi nidako ug nangwarta adlaw-adlaw," she added, saying the cemetery has served a symbolic place in their endeavor to survive in a community where inequality dominantly prevails.

The Rama family is just one of several families living within the vicinity of the public cemetery who make candles all year round and sell these to visiting people in the graveyard. The family has been in the business for more than 20 years.

Demand  surge

Days before November 1 and 2 are considered to be the busiest times for many candle producers because they normally double the production of their goods to meet the expected surge in consumer demand.

Rama and her children showed to The Freeman how the process of making candles is done using only three basic materials: candle wax, wicks and candle molds. Wax is melted in a wok and the liquid substance is then gradually poured into the wicks – as it quickly dries up – until the desired thickness of the candles are achieved.

Rama said that one sack of cheap candle wax can be bought at P3,000 at the public market. One sack can produce around 4,500 to 5,000 small candles.

A small candle only sells at P1 while the "dwarf" candle is sold at P3. One roll of wick, a cord of loosely woven and twisted fibers, could only cost P3.75.

"Makaingon ko nga dako-dako pud ang ginansiya ani nga negosyo pero dili sayon kay kuti kaayo ni’ng trabahoa," she shared. "Nagdugay mi ani nga negosyo kay nakatabang man gyud siya namo bisan di ni sosyal nga panginabuhi."

The Cebuana takes pride of their business adding that what they are producing are things that people use to pay tribute to their love ones who have passed away.

Vendors said the candle business tend to be more lucrative compared to other small enterprises because candles are consumable especially during the holy days.

On ordinary days, they still trade candles in the cemetery to few grave visitors and to some community residents and vendors who intentionally buy the goods from them due to reasonable price. This leaves candle vendors earning a minimum of P200 a day.

Ways  to earn

Aside from candle trading, some noticeable activities among people living near – or even inside  – the cemetery also take place. They take the time when the cemetery turns busy and jam-packed with people as an avenue to earn extra money.

Some individuals in the cemetery gather melted wax and sell these to candle makers at a lower price. They say they do this as a business opportunity.

The days before and on the actual observance of the holy days are also opportunities for some enterprising individuals to earn some money through offering painting and cleaning services at the burial grounds.

Some bring with them a can of paint and brush to offer their services to the visiting families.

They said the paint job could roughly cost around P20 to P50, depending on the agreement.

Food stands are also expecting brisk sales considering the increase in number of cemetery goers ahead of the observance of the two holy days. Many are also expected to display candles and flowers in retail locations near cemeteries, public spaces and public markets.  (FREEMAN)