BFMFINS eMAGAZINE: HALLOWEEN 2013

Undas, Araw ng mga Patay, Day of the Dead, All Saints Day, Todos Los Santos, all means the same thing no matter how it is called, is a highly celebrated holiday in the Philippines. The Filipinos visit graveyards and pay respect to their dearly departed by means of praying and offerings at he grave site of their love ones. After the solemnity of Todos Los Santos, comes the festive atmosphere of the thousands of people conglomerating on cemeteries all over the Philippines. The entrepreneurs take advantage of the opportunity by setting up small services to all of the families that visits their deceased love ones. A small fair (peria) with ferris wheel, rat racing (karera ng daga), and other games that is meant to encourage you into spending, naturally. Fish ball push carts and ballot vendors (egg with a duckling inside), would litter the area and they will be open for business for as long as there are prospective customers. This was the scene, the ambiance, the festive feeling that I remembered from growing up in the Philippines and became one of the many, that experienced the celebration of Todos Los Santos.... boy! how I've miss that.

Today, it is the Halloween, though celebrated differently, still has the same direction, meaning, purpose, which is honoring and respecting the love ones who had passed on. I was fortunate to have been invited at the Jacinto residence and joined the family and friends in celebrating Halloween. This are a group of young Filipinos who gets together for a Halloween costume party and celebrating Todos Los Santos, America style. Below are pictures of participants in costumes, which by the way the best attire gets a price. To motivate the participants in dawning a variety of expensive outfit a price money is collected amongst themselves, then divided for the first, second, and third prize winners, not to mention food, food, food.

Though the disparity of the way Halloween / Todos Los Santos is celebrated, it still carries with it the same intentions and respect for our deceased love ones who are still missed, remembered and forever loved. Happy Halloween 2013....... Photos by: Bobet Torres