A mass in Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in Sagada, Mountain Province for the traditional Panag-Apoy is currently ongoing late this Sunday afternoon, according to a report by RH 41 Romy Gonzales.

The Panag-Apoy is a principal tradition among locals in Sagada, La Montañosa, carried out in memory of their deceased relatives.

The local government has enforced stricter measures against tourists coming in and operating drones to capture the spectacle and other such activities while locals are commemorating All Saints’ Day.

This is to preserve the deep respect upheld by the tradition for the community’s passed loved ones.

Nonetheless, visitors, accompanied by authorized tourist guides, may witness the burning of Saeng or Saleng in limited viewing areas: how pine wood—when cut, produces copious amounts of sap—is prepared and set alight from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The designated viewing spots for visitors are along the road to the area near the Globe Telecom tower.

“Panag-Apoy” is a word from the Kankanaey, the indigenous language spoken by the people of Sagada, which means to light up a fire with pine wood—a sacred, ancient practice.

The Saeng is blessed with holy water by a priest. The sap from the wood chips keep the fire alive for a longer period, and despite winds and rain.

After the mass, families proceed to the graves of their loved ones, where they will light the small fires. They refrain from using candles, which are quickly snuffed out by winds during this season.