Halloween – More Than Just Fun
Aside from the Christmas season I think that
Halloween is one of the most awaited days of a lot of people especially children because
they get to wear different costumes. Of course there is the usual trick or treat, but there is
just something about Halloween that seems special when it comes to kids. However, for us
adults who truly understand, Halloween is not really a time to be jolly and merry just like
the Christmas season. The true meaning of Halloween seems to be almost forgotten
because we are misguided by all the colorful costumes and decorations. This is not
actually a season of smiles, but of prayer and a bit of mourning.
Pray for them
There is a reason why Halloween is celebrated on the day that we usually
celebrate it— either from the night of the 31st of October to the 1st of November, or on
the day of November 1 itself. Traditionally, if we base it on the calendar, it is the day of
the dead. Meaning, we should all remember our deceased loved ones and pray for their
souls to go up in heaven. If I am not mistaken, this mentality of ours started in a festivity
that is celebrated in Mexico wherein they dress-up in hallow costumes or costumes that
look like skeletons to commemorate their dead loved ones. It also makes perfect sense,
because the term “Halloween” is derived from how our loved ones look like by the time
they are dead.
Not actually a time of smiles
As I have mentioned, the day of Halloween is not actually a day to be happy. We
should think about our deceased loved ones and pray that their souls will go up to heaven
so that they could look after us. Here in the Philippines, the concept of Halloween is
rarely observed. Although we do celebrate Halloween parties, it is just for fun but we
really do not get the gist of doing it. We probably got this idea from the west and so we
adopted it, but the most common way of celebrating this season is by going to the
cemetery to visit the bodies of our dead family members.
Something to smile about
But I think that this is just normal for us people. Even though Halloween is
supposed to be a sad day, we still find something to laugh about and to celebrate along
the way. It does not mean that we do not respect the dead anymore, but it is just that we
can still think of ways to cover up our sadness. If Halloween is celebrated by means of a
party in the west, you may find how Filipinos celebrate their dead loved ones as weird. I
personally do not get the idea of this because this is not how our family celebrates our
deceased members, but some stay drunk or sing merrily with their friends while looking
after the coffin of their dead ones. They also get to serve out delicious foods, which may
seem like you attended a birthday party instead of a dead man’s grave. Whatever the
reason for this, let us just say that we people have still something to laugh about
somewhere in the middle during tough times.
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