Celebrated yearly every Oct. 31 is Halloween. We’re only a couple of hours away from a day of scare and trick-or-treating happening this Sunday.
Fun fact, the tradition originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. Meanwhile, Pope Gregory III designated the first day of November time to honor all saints in the 18th century. All Saints Day then incorporated some of the customs of Samhain. The evening before November would come to be known as All Hallows Eve and, later, Halloween. Around the 1920s and 1930s, it had become a secular but community-centered holiday, with parades and town-wide Halloween parties as featured entertainment.
In the Philippines, Halloween is widely observed. Laoag City is known for organizing the biggest Halloween party in the country that resembles how it is held in the West. In Ilocos Norte, it is called “Semana ti Ar-aria” after All Saints’ and Souls’ Day. The festivals’ highlight is “Parada Lloca-Llocana,” wherein Laoag City transforms into a ghost town overrun by thousands of people in the most creative and scariest costumes. This parade is a unique Paoay tradition of remembering the dead.
To escape the doom and gloom of the ongoing pandemic, why not commemorate the event by dressing up as your favorite character? We’ve got some costume ideas that should spice up your Halloween this year.
Kim K at the Met Gala 2021
The personality, model, businesswoman went in an all-black, full-coverage Balenciaga getup featuring a face-obscuring mask, one of the most talked-about outfit during this year’s Met Gala.
Yandy, a company known for sexy costumes that play on meme-worthy pop culture moments, such as Bernie Sanders at Joe Biden’s inauguration, released a version for Halloween for $99.99 (around ₱5,000).
Called the “Mystery Gala Guest,” the product description reads, “Glimmering gowns had their fashion moment, and we’re here for it, but look who paved the way for statement-making avant-garde!”
Dark, dramatic, and ever so obscure, flaunt your couture-kissed curves like an A-list celeb in this exclusive costume that features a semi-sheer black tube dress, a sheer mesh cape, a breathable black facial hood, opaque tights, and long satin gloves.
Laoag City is known for organizing the biggest Halloween party in the country that resembles how it is held in the West.
But if you don’t have the budget or opt to do your own version of the dress, wrapping yourself in a black sheet might just do the trick.
A ghost
Among the classic Halloween costumes alongside vampires, witches, and mummies, is the ghost. This is also one of the easiest and most affordable outfit for the season. Grab a blanket, poke two holes for you to see in, and you’re good to go.
Your “favorite” politician
Politics in the Philippines is often considered a horror story by Filipinos themselves. And since we already in the middle of the campaign period, months before it is supposed to officially start, why not dress up like your favorite politician? You could come dressed as a controversial ex-senator turned presidentiable, a former actor, a boxing champion, a spawn of Martial Law horror, or simply wear pink like diluted blood.
That one kid covered in what seems to be grease pre-pandemic Halloween
To date, it is still a mystery what the child was supposed to be when it went out trick-or-treating with friends some two or three years ago. Some call it “baby oil” while others call it tiyanak. One thing’s for sure, by the looks of the kid’s expression, it was fun being the object of curiosity. Perhaps, this costume is the secret to a happy Halloween.
Squid game
The South Korean show has become a phenomenon all over the world. So much so, that it is currently Netflix’s biggest series launch ever, topping 111 million viewers globally. The Squid Game tracksuits of both players and game keepers were as much a hit and it was only a matter of time before you see everyone wearing it. Halloween presents the perfect opportunity.
In international news, the Squid Game attire has been making noise. On Oct. 21, in South Korea for instance, thousands of union workers wore the fad tracksuit and mask as they took to the streets demanding job security. Around 80,000 members of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions gathered to protest in 13 different cities. Like in the series, these people too were struggling to make a living.
Meanwhile, the costume is being banned at schools in the US, Ireland, and Madrid, as measures against violence by the educational institutions from these countries. One basis for this move is when Castle Park Elementary School in Dublin saw a rise in students mimicking several of the violent scenes from Squid Game.
In the Philippines, however, people are very much free to put the costume on, which is also why you should expect to run into many Squid Game characters at the Halloween parties this weekend, virtual or not.
A health worker
What better way to honor the heroes of today than dressing up like them? Ready your scrubs, lab coats, nurse’s uniforms, and anything hospital related. Oh, and the most-worn item of 2020 and 2021, the face mask.
Trese
The detective that deals with paranormal cases, Alexandra Trese, came to the limelight after Netflix made a successful original anime series. The character from the Filipino komik series written by Budjette Tan and illustrated by Kajo Baldisimo wears a clean, simple over coat, which the comic creator explained was inspired by Dr. Jose Rizal’s look. Don’t forget Trese’s signature hairstyle.