November 2

It’s like three holidays in a row. After Halloween and All Saints Day, Filipinos celebrated All Souls Day. It’s the time of the year, when we go to the cemeteries and pay tribute to our love ones who passed away.

Food and family reunion makes the occasion happy. People would be crowding in the cemeteries bringing picnic baskets, games, and flowers and candles, of course.

We did not come home to visit my Mama’s grave, instead we prayed for her soul and offered mass. She would understand. We maybe miles away from where her body lies peaceful, but in our hearts and thoughts she will always be forever remembered.

November 1 - In the Philippines, especially people living in the cities, usually celebrated All Saints Day in the cemeteries, visiting love ones’ graves.We bring flowers and clean the mausoleums and niches. There would be plenty of food and family reunions among the tombs.

But I think, All Saints Day, or Todos Los Santos,  should be celebrated in honor of all the saints. I don’t remember having to attend a ceremony or festivity of this kind. Maybe at school where we had plays, role-playing, and story telling of the lives of the saints. I don’t even know how many saints there were, and there are now. Who decides that a person is a saint, or not? Maybe I have to Google it to find answers.

Saints were special people. We could learn a lot from their stories and how they lived their lives. They led lives of martyrdom and most of them fought for their faith til their deaths.  They are not just mere believers, but extraordinary people who lived by their exceptional virtues and reconciled their lives to God.

When I was young, me and my younger siblings would have our dinner early, bathe and put on our pajamas. Then  cuddled pillows and wrapped with blankets while watching  a local show, the Magandang Gabi Bayan (of the now VP of  the Philippines, Noli de Castro). Every Halloween the show would feature ghost and scary stories. And they would run horror films and creepy, hair-raising movies and TV specials throughout the week, or even for a month.

There would be costume parties and programs at school.  And I would be usually dressed as an angel with wings and a halo, a witch with a broom stick, or a fairy with a  wand and fairy-wings, too.

It’s only now, with my son, that I’ve experienced Trick-or-Treating. Kids in their costumes carry little bags, or the plastic jack-o-lanterns, to put the sweet treats and  candies. But in most places in the metro, we do it in the  malls, or at the parents’ work. It’s not like in the  States, or in other countries, where children would knock at their door and scream “Trick-or-Treat, then they  would be given goodies.

Last year, 1 year-old Daniel wore a Skeleton costume. He was a chubby Skeleton Boy. Nothing really fancy, I just  bought the costume from a toy store.

But this year, he was a sad Ninja. Another rush purchase  from the store. There were no plans and no festive mood  for Trick-or-Treating. Since Mom passed away last month,  I’ve been so lazy to think and prepare for whatever happy occasion.

And since we got an invitation from Rustan’s for a Wizard  Ball, and I would not want my son to bore his days inside  the house just because im not interested for merriment,  we went to the party. There were snack bars and food  booths, face painting, and gift bags for the kids. Little  boys and girls wore different costumes and masks. There  was a pretty little girl on a peacock costume, a Pirate  boy, an Angel with white feather wings, fairies, and  super heroes, too. The party was opened with a Wizard  talk, story telling, Games, a Magic and a Pet Show.

Halloween is celebrated every 31st of October in the  Philippines and in other countries. And in Europe where  it was originated. The term Halloween is said to be  shortened of All Hallows’ Even, as it is the eve of  “All Hallows’ Day”, which is today known as the All  Saints’ Day.