Did you say Halloween Party? With the “Kurakot, Katakot” theme in this year of floods and earthquakes and earth-shaking controversies, DAILY TRIBUNE went into a creative frenzy, wearing the issue that wore us all down this 2025.

Costumes became statements of thought and sentiment, with everyone coming in their wittiest selves.

Hosts Alvin Kasiban came as a Nepo Baby in a high-waisted miniskirt, and Jason Mago was Senator Harry Potter making budgetary magic. The office became populated with contractors, building nothing but ghostly fun, and multos (ghosts) in masks.

As Toby Magsaysay, who dressed as Jason Voorhees, said: corruption, like the horror character he portrayed, never dies.

“Meow, meow,” affirmed Kenneth Tabornal, the Congressman in barong.

Winners all

John Henry Dodson as The Corruptor, wielding a gold bar and beckoning a geisha, Rita Gulanes, received a resounding applause

Chynna Basillaje as Snow White was a hit for depicting the controversial Veep Sara Duterte and her viral Tiktok dance. Together with Elliana Lacap as the Ghost (Project) Buster, they looked like twins.

Elmer Manuel as The Corrupted drew hilarity, his face covered in white makeup and flowing white tresses ­— his “substandard prostitute” line setting off the crowd.

Avic Clemente in her Half-Poor, Half-Rich outfit, depicting the great divide in economic circumstances among Filipinos, was a fashion statement, indeed.

Toto Lozano was a headless corpse, a state that he said all corrupt officials deserve.

Amelia Clarissa de Luna Monasterial of the Online Team showed up in croc skin ­— painted on her forehead, that is. She represented the slimy rich who gained their wealth from graft, boasting of their privileged lives. Amelia was in character throughout, imperiously commanding the audience: “As for the poor people, why don’t you work!”

Nomerson Tabucol came covered in trash, literally, the kind that floats on floodwaters. He said, “This is the reason why those anomalous flood control projects were discovered.”

Rey Bancod was Senator, promising the moon and back, hinting at bribes and trying to cover a lipstick stain on his shirt with a thick gold necklace.

Jas Lalog was Anak ng Nepo, reciting a hilarious poem that goes:

Katakot-takot na Kurakot ng Ina N’yo!

Anak ako ng Nepo

Sa socmed bida ako

Kayamanan

Ipinaghahalandakan

Travel, mga designer bag

Pang lagalag

Anak ako ng Nepo

Pera ko, galing kanino?

Sa kurakot ng ina ko

Taumbayan niloloko

Madaming naghihirap

Ako ay pasarap

Anak ako ng Nepo

Saan na’ko patungo?

Buhay pa, inuuod na

Gagamba, paniki, daga

Ugnay sa kamatayan

Kasabihan.

Chingkee Mangcucang was a barefoot farmer, spouting protest in a poem she wrote:

Tama na ang parusa

Ako’y dukhang magsasaka.

Pawis at dugo, hindi iniinda

Kayod na, pag gising sa umaga,

Dapit hapon, Takipsilim na ay nasa bukid pa,

May lupa, may pananim,

Ngunit lubhang naninimdim,

Bukirin ay baha, pananim di maipunla.

Pamilya ay gutom,

Bahay na tagpi-tagpi, nilamon ng daluyong.

Tama na, tama na,

Pag-asa ba’y natatanaw pa,

Salamat pala kay Aling Rita,

Pagkat ako’y may nasusuot pa,

DAILY TRIBUNE, without fear, without favor.

Ikay na nga ba ang pag-asa na nagmumulat sa mga mata?

DAILY TRIBUNE simulant mo!

Kami ay tatalima sa iyo.

For the first time, an award was given for Group Effort. Team Third Floor, comprised of Finance and Ads and Marketing, seemed to have a script figured out. Their character costumed depicted the latest corruption to hit our senses — from an apologetic leader to an apoplectic farmer, Sarah Discaya lookalike mingling with a Croco Martin, and contractors wielding giant RM watches.

Of course, special mention went to Windsor Genova, annual winner for his well-conceptualized and well-executed costumes. This year, he was covered in mini balloons and carrying a book titled National Budget Insertions. Windsor named his getup “Float Control Project,” basically the next guide for future anomalies.

A feast fit for Nepo Babies was laid out for the ghoulish revelers, with thanks to The Bistro Group, McDonald’s, Coffee Project, Villar Group, Foodpanda, Caramia, Goldilocks, Greenwich, Mang Inasal, Mama Lou’s, Grupo Agatep and EON Group.

Everyone at DAILY TRIBUNE, the fastest-growing news organization, once again gave their all in giving meaning to this event, topping every yearly bash with frightful glee.