Tricks and Treats
When November 1 comes around the corner, people would often picture ghosts, ghouls and a cemetery packed with people both living and dead. It is a time to dress up and gather a haul of sweets other than Christmas.
But how should All Hallows’ Eve really be commemorated by a Catholic country like the Philippines?
Some Churches don’t exactly promote the idea of tricking and treating every 1st of November because during the 8th century, November 1 was really proclaimed by Pope Gregory III as a day to honor the saints and martyrs of the Catholic Church.
Moreover, the origin of Halloween is from the Celtic celebration of Samhain; during which the dead can materialize as ghosts and once again roam the earth.
The practice of dressing up and leaving out treats also came from the Celts. They believed that imitating the appearance of the spirits will trick them to stay away from the living and offering them treats would appease them.
Halloween has evolved over the years and the Philippines has caught up with the practice of trick-or-treating during the night of October 31.
Still, people flock to the cemeteries during the 1st and 2nd of November; lighting candles, leaving flowers and cleaning the graves of their deceased loved ones. Yes, Halloween has indeed added another tradition to the Catholic country in Asia but it hasn’t changed their views and traditions of the holiday.
The people still keep in mind that it is not the ghouls that should keep the people vigilant but those alive but dangerous people that could cost them their lives if not kept at bay.
