Comments on: Seven Philippine Traditions Pertaining to Halloween

By: Kristie Claar

Kristie Claar — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:24:52 +0000

interesting article

By: SharifaMcFarlane

SharifaMcFarlane — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 02:45:43 +0000

I would like to enjoy some of the traditional cuisine.

By: Joseph

Joseph — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:25:02 +0000

This posting is reminiscent of my childhood in the province. We have very similar customs.

By: kate smedley

kate smedley — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:21:45 +0000

That sounds fascinating – thanks for sharing these traditions with us.

By: Martyn Sherwood

Martyn Sherwood — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 19:38:41 +0000

Thank you for sharing customs of Catholic poeple during Halloween which I already knew about as I have many friends in the Philipines. However, I am Protestant and I do not think western way of celebrating Halloween is idiosyncratic (which means strange or unusual). The practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door to door for treats on holidays goes back to the Middle Ages, and includes Christmas wassailing. Trick-or-treating resembles the late medieval practice of souling, when poor folk would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1), receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day (November 2). It originated in Ireland and Britain, although similar practices for the souls of the dead were found as far south as Italy. Shakespeare mentions the practice in his comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1593), when Speed accuses his master of “puling [whimpering, whining], like a beggar at Hallowmas.” So before you criticise other Christians, just remember that your customs originate from Britain where I live – it’s just that the passage of time has diversified the form of these rituals.

By: eddiego65

eddiego65 — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:46:57 +0000

Wonderful article.

By: Melody Arcamo Lagrimas

Melody Arcamo Lagrimas — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:17:03 +0000

To Rose and Darlene,

Thank you for reading it and for your comments. These are just the gist of what Halloween is all about in my country. Some Christians may still observe a few of these, but merely for the sake of tradition. You couldn’t drop a needle in the largest public cemetery in Manila during these days.

By: Darlene McFarlane

Darlene McFarlane — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:23:30 +0000

This was a very interesting read. Thanks for sharing your traditions with us.

By: Bozsi Rose

Bozsi Rose — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:11:53 +0000

Very interesting. Great article.