Boo-king now
LANSON Place Mall of Asia is hosting the TLI Radio Halloween Festival in its courtyard, featuring 8 DJs performing against a Manila Bay backdrop.
Nine hotels under SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. are holding Halloween events this month, ranging from children’s costume parties to themed buffets and a music festival by Manila Bay.
Halloween traces back to the eve of All Saints’ Day, observed on 1 November, and has roots in older autumn traditions in Europe, including the Celtic festival of Samhain. In the Philippines, the holiday sits alongside Undas, when families visit cemeteries on 1 and 2 November to remember their dead. The costumes, trick-or-treating and parties came largely through American influence during the colonial period and have since become a popular, more playful part of the season. Older local customs, like pangangaluluwa, in which groups went house to house singing for the souls of the dead, are less widely practiced today.
Most of the hotel programs are aimed at families. At Pico Sands Hotel, “Pico BOO!: The Lost Island” offers games, lucky draws and a magic show at the BAIA Ballroom of Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club. Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu is holding “Trick or Treat: Enchanted Forest,” featuring trick-or-treating, games and a costume contest. Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo’s “BOO! Bites & Delights” pairs a merienda buffet with a haunted-themed room, while Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod’s “The Enchanted Forest” runs alongside “Gears and Ghouls” at SM City Bacolod.
Taal Vista Hotel’s “Brick-or-Treat Getaway” includes a toy collection drive, along with games, magic shows and a snack buffet. Conrad Manila’s “Sorcery of Fun and Flavors” features trick-or-treating, face painting, storytelling and giveaways.
Other hotels are focusing on food and evening events. Conrad Manila is selling Halloween cakes and pastries at Bru Coffee Bar. Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA’s “A Night of Frights” offers barbecue, unlimited wings, pasta and rice, accompanied by a live band. Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s “Churrasco After Dark 2.0: Alter Ego Party” provides a Brazilian barbecue buffet, live entertainment, arcade games and Halloween drink specials.
Lanson Place Mall of Asia is hosting the TLI Radio Halloween Festival in its courtyard, featuring 8 DJs performing against a Manila Bay backdrop.
SMHCC executive vice president Peggy E. Angeles said the events are designed to give guests different ways to spend the season together, whether over a family afternoon, a themed meal or an evening show. PJP