Beyond trick or treat: A countdown to Halloween

It’s about that time of year when people start donning their white sheets, witch hats, superhero capes and bunny ears and pretend for one night to be whoever they choose. Yes, folks, Halloween is upon us again. While there are those who still cling to the time-honored tradition of putting on a costume and going door-to-door asking for sweet treats, many are defecting to less tiring Halloween activities. After all, trekking through long streets in stuffy costumes is not ideal with the Manila sun high in the sky.

Here are some alternative Halloween events for those people who still want to wear the costume but not endure the trick-or-treat trek. If you enjoyed this year’s indie hit, Zombadings, you’ll probably enjoy the Zombadings Shokot House, which will open at Eastwood City Walk 2 on October 21 and run all the way through to the 31st. Beware, though, this one-of-a-kind horror house might turn out to be funnier than it is creepy. Artists herald the Day of the Dead starting October 23 at the Dia de los Muertos exhibit to be held at Ronac Art Center’s Secret Fresh Gallery. Inspired by the Mexican holiday, the exhibit will feature customized skulls as designed by each artist. It will run until November 8. Meiday’s annual Halloween party offers a different kind of trick-or-treat. The trick? The notoriously wild indie party is bound to become even wilder as its loyal patrons shed their personas and take on new identities. The treat? As per Meiday tradition: alcohol, great music, and free admission. Brace yourselves for Meiday Mayhem, happening on October 28 at The Keg, Fort Strip, Taguig. For the fitness buffs who would like to know how it feels to run alongside sexy nurses and stormtroopers (and who’d like to try running in something other than a race singlet), there is the Adobo Run After Dark, happening on October 29 at ASEANA City along Macapagal Boulevard. After-race festivities include live music performances, free beer, a light show, and fire dancers. Registration is P750. Rockwell tent puts on a circus costume for Cirque du Rockwell on October 30 starting at 1 PM at the Rockwell Tent. A P550 registration fee buys a goody bag for one child and one adult, allows them to participate in activities such as face painting, and games, and of course, watch the circus show where firedancers, acrobats, cyclists, mimes and stilt-walkers are scheduled to dazzle. Kids can still take part in the trick-or-treat festivities, and catch a bit of culture while at it. The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is presenting Grunhilda vs. the Litterbugs: A Halloween Family Concert on October 30 at the CCP Main Theater. An instrument petting zoo, food fair, and trick-or-treat will start at 2 PM, while the concert is scheduled at 4 PM. Little bookworms and their parents can head over to Mt Cloud Bookshop in Baguio, where an afternoon of stories is scheduled on October 31. From 3 PM, stories of strangeness will be told as members of the Baguio Writers' Group read aloud about the aswang, tikbalang, kapre, and more. Come in your halloween best and you just might bring home a copy of Virgilio Almario's "Ang Tikbalang sa Kabilugan ng Buwan." The fancier set can look forward to Dusit Thani Hotel’s Hallow Halloween this October 30, from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. The event will feature a haunted forest, scary stories, trick-or-treat, and a snack buffet. The registration fee is P800 per person. Aspiring filmmakers can take part in the Halloween rush through the Bangungot Horror Film Festival. It will take place on November 11, but filmmakers can already start working on their short horror films. The deadline for entries is on November 4, and there is no entry fee. - YA, GMA News