"Undas" is one of the most anticipated three-day celebrations in the Philippines. This normally starts from the last day of October and continues through two consecutive national holidays: All Saints' Day on November 1 and finally, All Souls Day on November 2. Almost all Filipinos commemorate this holiday with devotion since the Philippines is part of a Catholic nation.
Filipinos' Undas traditions are mostly made up of visiting the tombstones of their relatives, singing devotions, lighting up candles, and going to their respective provinces to spend the remaining days of the holiday catching up with their other family members. This is also the time when all the spooky activities come to life as the said holidays coincide with Halloween, which is celebrated on October 31st.
However, this year’s Halloween is obviously going to be distinct from all the other years— specifically because of the global pandemic, compelling us to remain socially distanced, follow quarantine restrictions, or cancel our plans, and losing our Halloween spirit. Although just because this year is slightly different, it doesn't mean Halloween is cancelled. It only requires creativity to make this year a great time with your loved ones.
Can't think of what you can do this Halloween? Here are the ways to make the spooky Halloween spirit alive right at your place:
HALLOWEEN AT HOME — Quarantine may restrict Filipinos from doing their yearly Halloween traditions, but there are many ways to feel its spooky spirit at home. | Photo by Ria Mae Baniqued and Jay Villafuerte.
Whip Up Something!
Did you just recently graduate from the “Quarantine Culinary School”? This is a great time of the year for you to put the skills you’ve learned to the test. Cook up traditional Pinoy Undas dishes like malagkit na biko, binignit, and suman, which are dishes that have a sticky texture which is said to be loved by wandering spirits.
Tell Ghost Stories
You won't truly feel the Halloween spirit without hearing about a scary story that can make you stay up all night. You can set up a circle with your siblings or cousins and have them tell their very own Catholic school ghost stories or “third-eye” experiences while playing with balls of melted candle wax. It’s fun and will make you feel nostalgic.
Bonus: Re-watch some Halloween specials of Magandang Gabi Bayan for the extra “katatakutan” factor.
Catch the Blue Moon
Ever heard of the phrase, “Once in a blue moon”? Well this Halloween, you can actually see one. It’s rare, and the next one we’ll have is in 2037, so better look outside your window and see it for yourself!
Light a Candle and Pray
If it weren’t for the pandemic, most of us would be at the cemeteries, sitting by our family member’s tomb. But just because we can’t physically be at cemeteries this time of the year doesn’t mean we can’t pay out respect to our loved ones who died. Light a candle outside your home to remind your loved ones that you still think of them while sitting down and saying a prayer to help guide them back into the afterlife.
Halloween traditions may be different this year as we are still in the midst of a pandemic, but this season would always be in the calendar, and with a little bit of creativity, we can still have the spine-chilling night we used to have.
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