Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim said the observance of All Saints and All Souls Day gives people the opportunity to reflect on their mortality. “While we remember our loved ones who have gone ahead, we who are still alive should not waste the opportunity to ponder on our own existence,” he said yesterday. Lim issued the statement as the city prepares to join the observance of the holidays set for the remembrance of the dead. “We have undertaken preparations not only for a peaceful observance but also to make sure that our public cemeteries are clean and safe and the roads leading to them are in good condition,” he added. The mayor pointed out that the living take time out to remember those they hold dear but there are those whom the living would rather forget. “Let us ask ourselves the question on whether those who will remain will also remember us when we are gone or whether we will be like those whom they will rather forget,” he asked. The mayor said that while unpleasant memories do not give people the right to disregard those who have hurt them in their lifetime, this should be an eye-opener to the living to shape up.

On the other hand, Lim said it is useless for those who offer expensive flowers for the departed if they neglected their loved ones while they were still alive. “It is hypocrisy,” he added. Lim said he has nothing against those who continue to hold their departed with love and respect but it should not be an excuse to neglect the living. The mayor rather dared those who show affection to the dead to make sure there are no living kin and friends who are unattended. At the same time, he said it should be noteworthy to recall the lives of those who left pleasant and fond memories. “We should not forget them or disregard the lessons that they taught us just because they are no longer with us,” he added. The mayor said that while there are visible changes around people, they remain basically the same inside them. “The passing of the years and the scientific and technological advances have not led to an improvement in the quality of life and in people's character,” he lamented.

Lim said it is unfortunate that there are people who find satisfaction in destroying reputations and the very lives of other people just because they have disagreements. “Most of the time, people who are very critical of others are those who have not contributed to the improvement of the lives even of people who are near them or who serve them,” he added. The mayor said most important question in life, however, is where a person goes after leaving this world. “We believe in different faiths but we must make sure we are worshipping the right one or else we throw away the rest of eternity,” he added.