Happy Halloween

 Halloween here in the Philippines is not like the Halloween in the Western countries. Although it’s a big holiday (comparable to Christmas here), we celebrate it in a different manner. Halloween in the Philippines lasts from the eve of October 31 (or even before this day) to November 2. Due to our strong Catholic background, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 are spent remembering our dead loved ones and these dates will usually find most of us in one place only: the cemetery or the memorial park.

We don’t celebrate it with pumpkins or trick-or-treats (although this Western tradition is sometimes practiced in some families / subdivisions here). We celebrate it through candles, flowers, prayers and a visit to the cemetery.

You might think we have a very boring Halloween here. I mean, cemeteries, graves, prayers, etc. make it look like a serious affair. Not so. Spending Halloween in the cemeteries is a fun event. It’s like a mini-reunion for families and friends alike, a chance to have fellowship with those people that we see only once a year (only on Nov. 1 of each year). Tents, shelters, chairs and tables are set up in front of the grave sites to provide a place where the family and their visitors can stay and talk. Radios, mp3s, CD players, musical instruments, karaoke and the like are present to provide music, singing and entertainment. Board games, playing cards, play stations are also present for the young ones (and the young at heart). Best of all, food and drinks are overflowing during this time, with families bringing in baskets of food and drinks to share with other members of their families and their visitors.

If you run out of food, drinks, candles and even flowers, vendors are all around the cemetery to provide for your needs. It saves the family members the hassle of bringing these things plus it provides extra income for these vendors.

There you have it. Halloween Filipino – style. Different, yes, but equally as interesting as the Halloween celebration in other parts of the world.- words from Hubpages

 And the sad story...I'm not part of the long weekend  and I'm going to miss these..big time! work is in between:(

Oh by the way, my lucky day!

Nicholas Sparks was here at the Podium. A rare opportunity to meet the world’s best selling authors. You know him from “The Notebook,” “A Walk to Remember” and “The Last Song.” The lucky part!

got myself  a signed copy of The best of Me:) yehey!-ooh yes  I'm into sappy love stories:)

 

wishing everyone to enjoy  your long weekend!

remember when you're young, you should live out every weekend. Even if you look like a scarecrow, you just gotta go!..lol

enjoy!

Life is good!