Albay Halloween: procession of saints, and the parade of vampires, zombies
LEGAZPI CITY --- Instead of donning the traditional Halloween costumes, the public celebrated All Saints’ Day here by participating in a procession where everyone is wearing a saint’s habit.
The “procession of the saints,” that kicked off at St. Gregory the Great Cathedral Parish was led by Fr. Joseph Salando who reminded the parishioners about what “we should honor and celebrate.”
Salando underscored the power and beauty of God Almighty that made simple people powerful in their goodness and the sinful ones to become beautiful in their holiness.
Fr. Paulo Barandon, parish priest of St. Jude Parish here, also urged the parents to let their children attend and participate in the procession of saints wearing bright and lively garments instead of those that depict ghosts and zombies.
The clergies and parishes under the Diocese of Legazpi led the children in the procession of saints which was regarded by the people to be more sensible than the previous one wherein the children portrayed zombies, witches and vampires three years ago.
This year, the Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts (PTCAO) organized the Zombie Halloween III where participants donned their scary costumes and walked through Albay district road heading to Albay Astrodome as the provincial government observed the Halloween celebration.
All the participants paraded their scary costumes during the 3rd Season of Zombie Halloween held on October 29 here where hundreds are joining the annual event.
This year’s Zombie Halloween competition was participated by 41 participating team competed for individual category, nine for the group, and 10 for the dance category.
There are three categories in the competition and award given to participants such as Best PGA Zombie Group, Best Street Zombie Performer, Youngest Zombie “Zombaby”, and Oldest Zombie “Zomoldy” with corresponding prizes and certificates given to the winners.
The Zombie Halloween is an annual event organized by the Provincial Tourism Culture and Arts here which was counter by the Diocese of Legazpi through the procession of saints. The Halloween tradition is originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.
Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints in the eighth century. Soon after, all Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween.
Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.