A Spooky Halloween : The LBA Trick or Treat 2012

Halloween Night at LBA

Our village had its annual halloween celebration highlighted by some games and  costume competition among kids followed by a "Trick or Treat" about two weeks ago (Oct. 27, 2012).  Weeks before the event, my stepmom and I were busy making our decorations for halloween.  We actually start doing it during the first week of October.  We enjoyed making those scary decorations and had been participating in the Annual "Trick or Treat" for kids.

Halloween Trick or Treat was not popular in the Philippines long ago.  But Filipinos nowadays  due to western influence had started making it a traditional practice in the city villages, malls and even in companies.

Our halloween decorations consist of two (2) white ladies, a witch, skeletons, zombie, demon, scary pumpkin head and masks, lighted pumpkins and an owl.  We also placed some spider webs and dried grass.  My family were in black attire and each one of us were wearing a lighted devil's horn. It was always a great feeling to see kids and some were accompanied by their parents visiting the house and enjoying our scary decorations.   Most of them had their pictures taken and I also took some photos.  Some children were very scared of what they see and would cry.  The halloween scary sound that my father down loaded and played also added a big impact on the decorations.   It was more scary !!!

By the way,  our dogs were also in halloween costumes.  My Mama Zen made some witch hats for our dogs and they all looked so cute.  You will see them in below photos. Enjoy !!!

 

The witch and the white lady

A close-up of the white lady

Children starting coming at around 5:00 PM

Children in pirate costumes

Children with their mommies

Mama Zen with one of the kids who visited our house

Moms of these children are my friends from our "Ladies' Fellowship"

More children !

Mama Zen (left) with our dogs and some children

Here we are in front of our house dressed in black and wearing the devil's horn with our cute dogs

This is my dog, Cupid seated  beside the candies the whole time.   Some of the kids thought she was a stuffed toy.  She was behaved and not moving.

This is Pom-Pom wearing a striped witch hat with blue and red accents

 

Nina wearing a red hat with flowers and ribbons.  She is Cupid's mom

Scotty wearing a native inspired hat with red feather and laces

Nina and Pom-Pom in costumes

Our four dogs in their halloween costumes ! Cute !

We visited our neighbor's house.  Their decoration's theme was pirate

The Art of Impersonation

Enchante Goes Broadway presents....The World Music Icons at Enchanted Kingdom performed by the EK Circle of Artists.

In the entertainment world, the art of impersonation has become popular in this industry.  Impersonation is imitating the appearance, character, voice and manner of a well-known individual.  I would say Filipinos are among those who possess the talent of impersonation.  The following are popular Filipino impersonators :

 JON SANTOS 

Jon is a professional impersonator who had mimic famous people and celebrities like Vilma Santos, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Kris Aquino and even the late Corazon Aquino.

WILLIE NEPUMOCENO

Willie is a veteran in the art of impersonation and copied the late famous actor and comedian, Dolphy and the former Philippine President, Joseph Estrada.

RENE BOY FACUNLA

Rene impersonated the former Philippine President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.  He is known as "Ate Glow."

TERI ONOR 

Terri is a comedian who mimics the well-known Filipino actress, singer and superstar, Nora Aunor.

 ERIC ALVAREZ

Eric is an Elvis Presley impersonator.  He won the Elvis Impersonation Contest at the popular theme park in the Philippines "Enchanted Kingdom in 2009."

A couple of weeks ago, I visited the Enchanted Kingdom and watched the "World Music Icons" performed by the EK Circle of Artists which showcased Filipinos talent in impersonation.  In the photos below, the bottom portion is the impersonator.

BOY GEORGE, an English singer-songwriter known for his blue-eyed-soul music with rhythm and blues and reggae influence

 

ELVIS PRESLEY, The King of Rock and Roll.  He is a cultural icon and one of the most famous American singers in the 20th century

STEVE TYLER, known as the "Demon of Screaming" due to his vocal range.  He is the frontman and lead singer of the Boston-based rock band "Aerosmith."

MC HAMMER, an American rapper, actor and amazing dancer.  He is a hip hop icon known for his song entitled "You Can't Touch This."

ISRAEL KAMAKAWIWO'OLE "IZ", a Hawaiian musician who became popular for his medley of  "Over the Rainbow" and "What A Wonderful World.".  

LADY GAGA, An American singer-songwriter who became a popular recording artist with her debut album "The Fame" which included her No. 1 international singles ~ "Poker Face" and "Just Dance."

NICKI MINAJ, An American singer, songwriter, dancer and television personality.  She was born in Trinidad and Tobago and who became well-known for her debut album "Pink Friday."

An Exemplary Act of Honesty

 JAIME MAYOR, an honest kalesa driver ("Kutsero")

Rizal Park or popularly known as Luneta, is one of the historical places in the Philippines  visited by tourists around the world. The park was a tribute to the Philippine National Hero,  Jose Rizal, a doctor and novelist.  Charged with rebellion against the Spanish government, Dr. Rizal was executed in this site by a firing squad on December 30, 1896.  At the center of this park is the Rizal Monument which contains the hero's mortal remains and guarded by sentinels in full ceremonial uniform known as “Knights of Rizal.”

 

The Rizal Monument

Situated in Manila, the park now has become a favorite gathering and picnic venue for the Filipinos and a famous tourist spot.  The sixty (60) hectares park houses an open-air concert hall, an artists’ sanctuary, an observatory, a grand stadium, beautiful gardens, plaza, historical markers, colorful and musical fountains, playgrounds, restaurants, food kiosks and the light-and-sound sculptural tableau which is an open-air theater featuring the heartbreaking martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal through eight life-size sculptural clusters coming to life through the  interaction of sounds and lights.

 

Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippine National Hero

 I talked about our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal but there is another hero that emerged recently and had been featured on national television.  I am referring to the humble, 48 year-old  Jaime Mayor who drives a “kalesa” (horse drawn carriage) at Rizal Park. Being a “Kutsero” (kalesa driver) runs in his family.   As a kutsero he earns a commission-based salary ranging from Php 200-500 daily.  One day, he encountered a group of  French women.  They boarded his carriage and ask him to take them around the park.  The women were in a hurry to get off the carriage and one of them dropped her wallet.  Jaime noticed the wallet with a big amount of money and run after the  French tourists to return it.  The women were very happy and one of them gave him a big hug for his good deed.  The wallet was containing 4,000 Euros equivalent to around Php 200,000.

Jaime Mayor driving his kalesa

 The Kalesa is one of the mode of transportation introduced in the Philippines during the Spanish colonization.  It is rarely use today.  You can still see this carriage in the rural areas and some tourist spots like Rizal Park and Intramuros.

 Jaime Mayor receiving his "Dangal ng Rizal Park" award from the officials of the National Parks Development Committee

For his honesty, the National Parks Development Committee bestowed to him the “Dangal ng Rizal Park” Award yesterday, September 14, 2012 in front of the Rizal Park Monument.  Hooray and congratulations to Jaime Mayor. You are a good example to everyone. We are proud of you.  Mabuhay po kayo !!!

Enchanted Culture Fest

  

I won two tickets to the Enchanted Kingdom (EK) from a raffle draw and a few weeks ago, I went to this place with my sister. Enchanted Kingdom is a theme park in the Philippines similar to Disneyland but smaller version.  I decided to buy one more ticket for our housekeeper for her to have fun and relaxation during her day-off.  The weather was great at that time after a week of pouring rains which caused flooding in Manila and other areas.  We were lucky that the weather cooperated that day.

We arrived at the Enchanted Kingdom at around 12:00 Noon,  the sun was up and still hot so we skipped taking the rides first.  We decided to stay at the food court in front of the stage and enjoy the cosplay competition while munching our pizza.  The theme park was hosting one of the most exciting pop culture events with cosplay, singing and KPop contests  and other acitivities at that time dubbed as “Enchanted Culture Fest.”   Participants were mostly teenagers and young adults in full costumes.  One of the judges of the cosplay competition was the talented Filipino cosplayer, Robert Torio  popularly known as “Don Robert” who has won several awards.  He is known for portraying Iron Man over the years.  He was wearing his Spiderman costume during the event.  As the participants were called out one by one, I was amazed by the character portrayal, craftsmanship and creativity. This is definitely Filipino ingenuity.

 

"Don Robert Torio", A Talented Filipino Cosplayer (One of the Judges)

 

Some of the participant in the Cosplay.  Cosplay is the short of "Costume Play, " a performance art where participants wear costumes and accessories to represent a character.

SOME ENTRIES IN THE INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY

 

My Little Narnian Puppies

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA

Born on May 25, 2012 and   inspired by the "Chronicles of Narnia" series of movies,  I named these adorable puppies after the  main characters : Aslan and the Pevensie siblings ~ Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy.  I loved "Chronicles of Narnia" movies.  It is a fantasy full of action and adventures.

ASLAN, THE GREAT LION

Aslan is the creator and the one true king of World of Narnia.  He is wise, compassionate divine being  and very powerful.  The guardian and savior of Narnia.  Aslan is a Turkish word meaning "Lion."

"He'll be coming and going. One day you'll see him and another you won't. He doesn't like being tied down - and of course he has other countries to attend to. It's quite all right. He'll often drop in. Only you mustn't press him. He's wild, you know. Not like a tame lion." ~Mr. Beaver

PETER

Peter is the High King of Narnia.  He is the eldest of the Pevensie children.  A responsible and  caring big brother.

 "To the great Northern sky, I give you King Peter, the magnificent." ~ Aslan

SUSAN

Susan is known as "Queen Susan the Gentle" or "Queen Susan of the Horn."  She is the second born of the Pevensie children.  She is an intelligent woman with great beauty and known for her archery skills.

"To the radiant Southern sun, I give you Queen Susan, the gentle." ~ Aslan

EDMUND

Known as "King Edmund the Just".  He is the third of the Pevensie children.  He is rude and mischievous but had a change of heart later in the story.

"To the Great Western Wood, I give you King Edmund the Just." ~ Aslan

LUCY

Crowned as "Queen Lucy the Valiant," Lucy is the youngest of the Pevensie children. She is the most faithful among the four children and firmly believed about Narnia.  She is friendly and loves animals.

 "To the glistening Eastern sea, I give you Queen Lucy, the valiant" ~ Aslan