Halloween isn’t part of a true blue Filipino cultural tradition. We just “borrowed” it from Americans, who, like many other countries, celebrate it on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. 

All Hallows’ Day, which we know better as All Saints’ Day (on 1 November, followed by All Souls’ Day on 2 November), is an observance dedicated to remembering the dead. Now this is what is closer to the hearts of the Filipino people, a lot of whom really take time out to visit and honor their dead. Even if we have to take a few days off work, a number of us would really embark on that journey back to our home provinces just to reunite with relatives and paint the tombs of our dead family and relatives, light candles and utter prayers for them — in person.  

Modern Filipino families, especially those with very young children, take on the Western Halloween tradition because the fun activities associated with it make “remembering the dead” a little lighter. 

What Filipinos love about Halloween is the “trick or treat” part of it. Parents love to dress up their kids in costumes to look like ghosts, witches, Frankensteins, Jack-o’-lanterns and other spooky characters. More than attending costume parties, these kids enjoy themselves more when they go trick-or-treating in the neighborhood — house to house, receiving treats of candies, small toys and baked goodies and no tricks at all. Trick-or-treats held in hotels and around the residential communities they live in are safer venues for kids to roam around.

The popularity of Halloween has also prompted bakeshops to come up with Halloween-themed goodies and confections for those who want to buy their own treats or gift someone dear with treats they can truly enjoy. 

One of the consistent ones has been Masa Madre Bakehouse, whose creative team led by Chef Kris Edison Tan always comes up with Halloween delights that always turn out to be so darned good. This year’s edition, the Scarecroi Collection, presents a limited-edition lineup of four spooky yet irresistible creations: Jack-on-Lantern, Hazel’s Bloody Delight, Witch’s Brew Mochi and The Trickster.

Jack-o-Lantern is a savory croissant that looks like a mini pumpkin. It is filled with pumpkin purée, bacon and caramelized onions, which is a hauntingly good combination of sweet and smoky.

Hazel’s Body Delight has got raspberry glaze dripping over layers of raspberry purée and hazelnut chocolate ganache for a devilishly decadent treat.

Witch’s Brew Mochi is a returning favorite. It is a matcha croissant tart with chewy mocha.

Meanwhile, The Trickster is a mystery item. Each mischievous piece hides a surprise. The surprise is in the flavor. Among three chocolate flavors — semi-sweet, matcha or white — you never know what you’re going to get until you bite into it.

The Scarecroi Collection is available at Masa Madre’s café in BGC (Cocolight Bldg., 11th Ave., Bonifacio Global City) and at its Quezon City pick-up point as pre-ordered until November 7.

Over at Honeybon, spooky fun has come back this Halloween season with its limited-edition Monster Gingerbread House. Inspired by the classic Christmas gingerbread house but with a Halloween twist, this treat is designed to make Halloween extra memorable, as it gives kids—and kids at heart — to build their own Monster Gingerbread House and decorate it with the icing and candies.