Happy Halloween!

Halloween is once again creeping around the corner. That means another trip for me back home to offer prayers for the loved ones we have lost and for other souls that have laid to rest.

I couldn't help but remark on how much the observance of this occasion has meliorated. Used to be, 1st-2nd of November was a solemn custom. It was this time of the year when people quitely flock to the cemeteries, carrying bundles of candles and tons of flowers that they offer to the departed. It was also this time of the year when cleaning and repainting the graves of the deceased are usually scheduled. It was also during this time when people prepare food, tuba, tabako, and other favorite grubs of their dead family members infront of the altar. Kids are always told not to touch anything before 6:00PM as souls are believed to visit houses and taste the food at this time.

Way back when I was a little bit younger (which is really not that so long ago.. hehe), it was also this time of the year when I and my childhood friends would scramble around one sari-sari store in our neighborhood and battle on choosing the scariest cartoon mask for only Php1.00. I bet you these were the best halloween costumes kids of those days could proudly own (thanks to the ever reliable rubberbands that hold it in place through our ears). Well of course, we can always ambush our mom's make-ups too. One option we had was to thickly cover our faces with Johnson's baby powder and smudge the reddest lipstick we can find over our lips, cheeks; or if you are a little bit artistic, fake blood tears under your eyes. And if you favor the Dracula character, there was always the plastic fangs as well. Our "attacks" usually happen after dinner time. With candles or flashlights in hand, we would knock from one house to another asking for treats. And from where I grew up, treats equate to the undying biko. At the end of the night, we would happily divide the different varieties of biko among ourselves. Sometimes if we get lucky, we were given budbud or a few Lips candies.

Slowly, people have learned to add twists to this celebration. During All Souls' Day, cemeteries have turned to drinking bars, or casinos, or disco hubs. Prayer murmurs have turned to sounding laughters. Halloween parties have turned to "who-comes-in-the-cutest-attire" party (... since when did a pink fairy or sexy bunny provoke terror??). Trick-or-treaters now come in their complete tailored costumes. Treats have also evolved to skeleton-shaped candles, to pumpkin cupcakes, or other shuddery-looking confections. Malls bewitch us yearly with their decorations, much like Christmas.

Oh well. As long as we don't forget its real essence, it doesn't really matter how we spend this holiday. Paying respect to the dead is a favourable position.

Happy Halloween! ;-)