BAGUIO CITY, Oct. 27 -- The municipal government of Sagada, Mountain Province, has reminded visitors that "panag-apoy", the tradition of lighting pine fatwood near the graves of departed loved ones, is a solemn cultural and spiritual observance, not a tourism spectacle.

"'Panag-apoy' is a long-standing #Sagada tradition of honoring departed loved ones during All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day through the lighting of 'saeng' (fatwood). It is a solemn cultural and spiritual observance," Mayor Felicito Dula said in a message on Tuesday.

Dula said visitors may respectfully observe the tradition but must follow local guidelines and avoid disrupting families and community members as they remember their dead.

Under the municipality's guideli...