Halloween, for me, is one of the special days of the year. However, it is not like Christmas, where we celebrate the birth of Christ, or Valentines, where we celebrate the martyr Saint Valentine. Halloween is different. In here, we celebrate the souls of those who passed before us. Scary, isn’t it? Actually, it ain’t so, for in reality it is really a fun celebration.

All Saints day, which falls on November 1, is sometimes confused with Halloween, which falls on the last day of October. The word Halloween was first manifested in the 16th century. It represents a variant of the fuller Scottish term “All-Hallows-Eve”, which is the night before All Hallows Day.

Nowadays, there are many ways Halloween is celebrated around the world. Although not all celebrates it, those who do has different views on its traditions and importance. Some nations have their own unique ways of celebrating Halloween although some follow the American way of celebrating Halloween for it can often be seen in iconic and commercial events.

Usually, Halloween is celebrated by parties in which participants will attend wearing different kinds of costumes. This is more prominent in the U.S, of A. The costume they wear varies, but oftentimes are costumes of ghost, witches, or ghouls. However, there are now diverse kinds of costumes, like costumes of TV series characters, Pirates of the Caribbean Costumes, space-themed costumes, and more. Another prominent way of celebrating Halloween is the Trick-or-Treating of little children. It is where little kids roam the neighborhood, asking each house for treats or candies by saying the words “Trick-or-Treat” to the homeowner. If they do not oblige, the children will perform a “trick” to the homeowner, which is usually a mischievous but harmless prank. Although some people view this tradition as a nuisance, many people enjoy seeing little kids wearing monster costumes or Pirates of the Caribbean Costumes while roaming the streets asking for treats.

Halloween is rarely noticed here in the Philippines, because people are more focused on All Saints day. But lately, especially in the urban areas of the country, some people celebrate Halloween. Because we do not know what it is, we did not experience Trick-or-Treating while I was young. In my elementary days, however, we would plan a Halloween party, although usually on November, instead of the last day October. We would instead wear costumes rather than uniforms when we go to school that day. We would still have classes, but we would only take our exams and quizzes and then the teachers will end the classes early, after which we will have our party. These days, I see little kids wearing costumes (but more often in their casual clothes), asking for treats and candies at each house. But you can see that their costumes are just improvised. For example, a boy will wear a “barong” and put lots of powder in his face making him a zombie or a little girl wearing a gown which will make her pass as a princess. Character costumes like Pirates of the Caribbean Costumes are not too popular here, but at least they have the spirit of Halloween. And like in the other countries, it is still fun to watch!

Halloween is really a fun celebration, although there is a deep meaning behind the celebration. Halloween teaches us lessons about mortality and death. Thus, we should value our lives, for if it is lost, it is lost forever. And lastly, enjoy your lives to the fullest.

Have a happy Halloween!

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