Halloween is far different from what we see in urban cities compared to rural areas. Growing in a farm, November 1 and 2 were dedicated to family gatherings, prayer and food.

FAMILY GATHERINGS AND TRADITION

The first day of November is usually spent at home. Children were playing, and adults busy with the food preparation. It is the time of the year dedicated to remember our departed love ones. I remember as a kid looking for the biggest green papaya. We would carved it with eyes and fangs. When the night comes, we would lit a candle, and put it inside the carved papaya and position it along the graveled road hoping it could scare somebody passing by. At dusk, family members start to arrive for a family prayer led by our Lola but before the prayer, we would make a ‘halad’ or offering. A separate bowl of rice topped with salt wrapped in a banana leaf is served inside a room and nobody is allowed to enter it. Along with the rice comes other food like biko, kalamay-hati, ibos, suman and variety of viands cooked at home. A wine (coconut wine or shoktong) and glass of water are also included, and sometimes beer too! It is believed that our loved ones would come and eat it. Well, if you happen to watch the movie Coco, they also do the ‘halad’.

A prayer in Latin

The night is not complete without a prayer in Latin led by our Lola. She had this booklet and rosary that she uses when she do the prayer that usually lasts for an hour. Actually, it is a mixed of Hiligaynon and Latin. I know how to respond to the prayer when I was a kid. Even the Latin response. Our Lola taught us that but unfortunately, I can no longer recall it. Nobody in the family was able to do the prayer when our Lola passed away.

Food!

This a festival for rice cakes and dishes! The famous in my opinion is the ibos. Wrapped in coconut leaf and cooked for hours! Of course, I would say that my mother cooks the best ibos in town! My least favorite is suman. I don’t know but I wasn’t a fan of suman ever since. Food and family always come together during Halloween.

November 2

The day is usually spent in the cemetery to visit our loved ones. We offer prayers and lit a kindle for their soul to find the path of light and peace. Cemeteries are fully packed! Families bringing food and greeting everyone they haven’t seen for a year or so. It is the place that I least like. It’s a sad place for me.

Nowadays, traditions are considered as the old thing in the past. No more papaya monsters, halad, Latin prayers and with the recent events, no more visitations in cemetery. The old days are better I guess. Life then was simple but full of happiness and love.

Happy Halloween and take care!

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