When I first moved here in the U.S., I was fascinated by how seriously Americans take Halloween. I mean, they don’t just put a real pumpkin on the porch—they transform the entire yard into a horror movie set. I used to drive around neighborhoods just to see the decorations, jaw on the floor, thinking: Wow, some people really live for this. 🎃
And then I discovered something even wilder: people dress up and wear their costumes to the grocery store—or really just anywhere. Yup, you’re pushing your cart, picking up tomatoes, and next to you is a full-grown man in a werewolf suit. Or you’re just cruising the freeway and you look in your side mirror and see a witch in a car—not a broom—trying to pass you. 😅
Meanwhile, back home in the Philippines, Halloween is more like the warm-up act. The real holiday is All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day. If you grew up in the Philippines, you know Undas isn’t just lighting a candle and saying a prayer. Nope—it’s a full-blown family reunion in the cemetery. You clean the tombs, bring food, set up tents, and sometimes even blast music. The streets turn into traffic jams because everyone is heading to the same place, arms full of flowers and candles. It’s a whole-day affair, and for some, they even stay the night. Kids run around, titas (aunts) gossip, lolos (grandfathers) tell ghost stories, and yes—at some point, someone steals your melted candles. 😅 It’s chaotic, but it’s one of the holidays everyone actually looks forward to.
Fast forward to me here in the U.S., trying to blend the two worlds. One time, I even joined the fun and dressed up myself. Here’s proof:
Not bad, right? Pinay makeup skills. Honestly, scarier than the candy aisle prices.
And because I can’t help myself, I had to put a Pinoy spin on Halloween merch too. Meet my ADOBOO tote bag—because what’s scarier than running out of rice? 🍚👻
It’s equal parts nakakatakot (scary) and nakakagutom (makes you hungry). Perfect for trick-or-treat candy, grocery runs, or just confusing your American neighbors when they ask, “What’s adoBOO?” (Answer: “Only the national dish of the Philippines, with a spooky twist.”)
And if we’re being honest, adobo is already kind of scary if you think about it. The longer it sits, the stronger it gets. (Like your Tita’s grudges. 😅) And bulalo? That steaming hot bone marrow soup is basically a potion. Perfect for sweater weather in the U.S. or rainy days in Baguio.
So while Americans are carving pumpkins and buying 10-pound bags of candy, Pinoys are preparing pancit for the cemetery potluck. Both cultures celebrate in their own way, and honestly? I love having both. Here, I get to dress up scary, carry my AdoBOO tote, and admire the over-the-top yard setups. Back home, I’d be sitting in my father’s mausoleum, eating lumpia, laughing with cousins, and keeping watch over our candles before they mysteriously disappear.
And maybe that’s what I love most—whether it’s costumes in Target or family picnics in the cemetery, it’s really about finding joy, food, and laughter in traditions that bring people together.
Someday—maybe soon, maybe now—I want to share the actual recipes. Because what’s the point of talking about adobo without teaching you how to make it? (Except I forgot to take a picture of my last batch, kasi I ate it all before remembering. Blogger fail. 😅)
So this Halloween season, whether you’re team candy corn 🎃 or team cemetery pancit 🍲, there’s room for all of it. Just don’t forget your tote bag… and don’t forget to check who’s lurking around your candles. 😉
✨ Want to bring some Pinoy flavor into spooky season? 🎃🍲 Check out my Halloween totes (adoBOO & BOOlalo) now in my Etsy shop → https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/me/tools/listings/section:55242669?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
No comments:
Post a Comment