Pots and Pans
Thursday, November 1, 2012
ONE very exciting and fun-filled events in the month of October would be Halloween, especially for kids, although I have perceived that adults for the last several years are equally excited for this celebration as well.
October is also a month for the “beer” enthusiasts who would go for the October-fest, spending the night eating, enjoying company of friends and relatives for a soiree. Beer and drinks overflowing, people getting drunk, what else?
In the Christian world, we also celebrate the Holy Rosary month which we dedicate to our beloved Mama Mary. For world peace, love and understanding.
Several things are also going on I am sure in the other parts of the world and to each country, celebrations are always a big part of their culture and heritage just like what we have right now, fiestas and semestral breaks for students.
Halloween has been part of the American culture for such a long time that we Pinoys have started to celebrate too in our more creative ways. Most huge department stores would lavishly decorate and turn the quite boring place to a very, shall I say scary and spooky but artistic place for the public to enjoy and take lots of pictures to post on their online social media!
Not only would it be a Halloween theme, but it would also kind of incorporating thanksgiving touch to it. Think of pumpkins and bountiful harvests. Orange-colored theme with falling leaves in varied sizes, bold and breathtaking colors, too.
Pumpkins are carved into “scary” faces and are also being used as a tool for creative competitions nowadays. Putting a light inside, whether candle or electric bulb, gives a frightful but delightful glow in the evening and displayed prominently in the front yard or inside the houses.
Aside from those, “ghost” figures, skeletons, witches, broomsticks, witches hats, boiling pots, skulls, ghouls, scare crows, spiders and “cobwebs” are used to decorate houses and shops. Not to forget, “cemetery” theme plots are also done complete with coffins and tombstones. Some even have eerie music to complete the whole set up! Boo!
It used to be an activity where kids will go for “trick or treating.” This is the best time for kids to have lots of candies (bad for the teeth!) since this has been the “ritual” and “tradition.” Carrying with them a container for them to put their candies when they visit their neighbors, dressed in different costumes.
It used to be just plain “frightening and chilling” costumes which are store-bought, complete from head to toe accessories, plus make up. But now, fantasy costumes are also the in-thing. Be it a superhero, television character, real people (whether dead or alive), cartoon character or even costume of a certain country or tribe. It can also be an “original.” See how amazing our creativity can go!
Since October 31 falls on a Wednesday, most of the activities are done on the weekends. Parties, get-together, competitions, etc. are celebrated either in someone’s house but most often, done in a public venue like a restaurant, hall or hotels where the venue is again transformed magically!
For most of us, I can see a lot of people getting into the cemetery/memorial gardens to spend the night or nights prior to All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. It is the time to be with our loved ones who have gone ahead.
Since Americans don’t really observe November 1 and 2, they spend more on Halloween. Guess we are lucky because we get to celebrate both, one after the other.
Most of the pumpkins are later made into pies, cakes or cookies for thanksgiving. Although I am sure a lot are also being thrown out, which is really a waste. Different sizes, shapes and varieties can be seen and bought in shops and supermarkets in the US.
Depending on the place, most people in the Philippines start decorating for “Christmas” as early as September, so one might see a mixture of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas decors and designs in stores rather than just one theme. A way of “hitting three birds with one stone”?
But since this is time to remember our dear departed, let us all offer a prayer or two for our loved ones and remember the good, great and unforgettable times we have spent with them while they were here and that they gently watch over us!
(Website: www.potsnpans1976.weebly.com, email: potsnpans1976@yahoo.com)
Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper on November 02, 2012.
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