This Halloween, there’s a lot more to do than go trick or treating. You can run from zombies, eat all you can from a “Boo-fête," or dance the night away in costume. You could also curl up on the sofa and watch cartoons, catch a movie, or join an unusual Halloween party that puts the care in scare.
Kids look forward to Halloween, since it’s a chance to dress up. Of course, the treats are a big plus. From good old trick or treating to more meaningful activities, here are some Halloween events for the little ones.
Putting the care in scare
For a R.O.C.K.in’ Halloween experience, put the care in scare. At sCAREnival 2012, share the tricks and treats with (R.each O.ur C.ommunity K.ids) beneficiaries from Lingap Pangkabataan. In this R.O.C.K.in’ Halloween experience, kids can have fun with art, storytelling and games while wearing their favorite freaky-unique costume. What makes the event even more special is the kids will be bringing snacks and sweets to share as well as books and toys to donate to community toy libraries. The event is on October 27, 3 to 5 p.m at the Kids Ahoy and Center for Blended Learning. RSVP is a must for this event. Call (02) 725.7791; (02) 579.1635; or 0917.860.0887, or email kidsahoy@gmail.com.
Children and parents can also help raise money for disadvantaged children in the Philippines and worldwide by joining Trick or Treat for UNICEF. Children who participate in the campaign will collect money in a special Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF registered box and turn this over to UNICEF after Halloween. The funds raised will be used for the organization's programs for children.
“With their energy and enthusiasm, Trick-or-Treaters for this campaign can collect donations that will contribute to better health, nutrition, water and sanitation and protection of other children. It is an example of Kids Helping Kids as it has been practiced since the Trick-or-Treat campaign was started in the United States more than 60 years ago", said Tomoo Hozumi, UNICEF Country Representative, in a press release.
Kits are available at the UNICEF booths at the lower ground floor of SM Megamall Building A near Toy Kingdom until October 27 or until supplies last. Schools can register to participate as well. To find out how to register, visit www.unicef.ph or call (02) 758-1000.
Cartoons come alive
At Cartoon Network's Halloween Hero Haunt, kids will be with their favorite heroes from shows like Ben 10: Omniverse. On October 17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the SM Megamall Event Center, kids can join Cartoon Network's Halloween Hero Haunt. Kids will be with their favorite heroes from Ben 10: Omniverse, Adventure Time, The Amazing World of Gumball, and other hit Cartoon Network shows as they hunt down bad guys lurking in a haunted maze. Apart from hunting down the bad guys, kids can explore the nooks and crannies of different rooms for a chance to win some amazing prizes.
There is also the Nickelodeon Fright Fest on Oct. 31, 3 p.m. at the SMX Convention Center. To get in, you need to spend at least P1,000 at participating Toy Kingdom and Toy Kingdom Express stores.
If you don't feel like going out for Halloween, celebrate with Halloween13, Cartoon Network's 13-hour marathon featuring Scooby Doo, Adventure Time, Sidekick and Regular Show on Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hotel Halloween
ACE Hotel and Suites and Water Spa will also have a Halloween Party on October 28, at 2 p.m. Entrance is P599 inclusive of loot bag, Magic and Puppet Show, kiddie spa, food cart, photo souvenir, food and drinks. Call (02) 404-9995 for inquiries and more details.
There's also the Belle-Boo Cosplay Mania on October 28, 1 to 4 p.m. at the Tower Ballroom at Bellevue Manila. Tickets are at P850 per person. Visit their website for more information.
At Manila Diamond Hotel, there will be a Wicked Halloween Carnival on October 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entrance is P650 per person.
The hotel staff turn into zombies for Play Dead, Discovery Suites' annual Halloween children's party. At Discovery Suites, the hotel staff turn into zombies for Play Dead, Discovery Suites' annual Halloween children's party on October 31, 2 p.m. For P600 per person, you can interact with the zombies at the Horror Gallery, enjoy treats from the merienda buffet, as well as join games and raffles at the Discovery Suites Columbus and Magellan function rooms.
At Discovery Shores Boracay's The Beach Zombies Halloween soiree, kids can enjoy a “Boo-fête" of whimsical treats like the Malloweiners (marshmallows and hotdogs on a stick), Boo-licious mac and cheese, Witch Fingers (chicken fingers), Ham and Cheese Spookwich (ham and cheese sandwich), Yummy Mummy cupcakes, Sweet Spider web cotton candy, and skewered fruits with chocolate drizzles.
For parents, the Sand Bar Beach Bar features special Hallow Drinks of the Month: Dark Shadow (Malibu rum, Kahlua, Oreo vanilla, espresso topped with whipping cream) and Kiss of Medusa (“bloody” raspberry and vanilla ice cream, sugar syrup and crushed ice topped with lychee “eyeballs”).
At Dusit Thani Manila's The Haunting, watch a spellbinding magician and join “The Hunting” activity for the entire family on October 31 from 2
to 4 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom. There will also be Halloween arts and crafts, and raffle draw prizes and giveaways. Entrance is P850 per person, inclusive of activities, giveaways, and a merienda buffet.
At Hotel Intercontinental Manila, the Grand Ballroom turns into The Haunted Village on October 31, 10 a.m. Tickets are P999 per person. For tickets call (02) 793-7000.
Kids can come in their favorite fairy tale costume and join the fair maiden with skin as white as snow explore the dark and enchanted lands of Edsa Shangri-La’s Isla Grand Ballroom on October 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For P1,350 per person, enjoy a kiddie lunch buffet and mocktails, magic tricks, face painting, Halloween-themed game-booths, arts and crafts activities and special loot bags. For ticket purchases, call the Events Management Team at (02) 633-8888 or e-mail events.esl@shangri-la.com.
Spooktacular fun and boo time
At Active Fun's SPOOKtacular Masquerade Party, kids can join a costume contest and go trick or treating. The party is on October 26, 3 p.m. at the Bonifacio High Street Branch. There's an admission fee of P500 (General)/ P450 (Fun Club).
It's Boo time at Fun Ranch At Boo Time at Fun Ranch, kids (and kids at heart) can dress up, join games and go trick or treating. There will also be a special magic show after the party. The P500 entrance fee includes a Ride All You Can wristband, snacks, food cart treats, a loot bag, and access to all activities.
How to get in: Tickets are pre-sold and limited to the first 200 kids for Ortigas and 100 kids for Alabang. There is no limit for adult tickets (P250). For sales inquiries, call 706-3029/31 (Ortigas) and 836-9387 (Alabang). Boo Time will be held on Oct. 20, 1 to 5 p.m. (Ortigas branch) and Oct. 26, 4 to 7 p.m. (Alabang branch).
On October 31, Fun Ranch will hold a free trick or treat at the Ortigas branch from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the website at www.kidsrulehere.com and Facebook fan page
to pre-register online. The link will be posted on October 22. Limited to the first 200 kids, first come-first served.
At Shangri-La Plaza, have a Rockin' Halloween Party on October 28, Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The registration fee is P500 per child (only 250 slots available). Visit the mall's
website for more details
Get PETrified
Halloween for pets and their humans at A PETrifying Trail Now on its third year, A PETrifying Trail is Pet Express' annual Halloween celebration for pet lovers. "We open our creaky doors and invite all cats and dogs (and their humans) to join us on a fun-filled whole day affair," said Pet Express.
Join the booths for some treats, get snapped up at the Spooky Snapshot Photo Booth, get lucky or lost in their Giant Maze, parade your pets at the petrifying trail, and finally, cap the day off by strutting your stuff on the catwalk for the Pet Costume Fashion Show. Awards will be given to the cutest, spookiest, kookiest pet, or most petrifying pair this 2012.
Entrance is free for the pet parade and fashion show. Register here.
A Lucky Ticket is needed to join the booths (Trick or Treat- freebies). Get a lucky ticket for every P500 purchase at Pet Express from Oct 1-31. A maximum of three Lucky Tickets will be issued per receipt.
A PETrifying Trail is on Oct. 26 at SM City Masinag (Atrium), Oct. 28 at SM Mall of Asia (Music Hall), and Oct. 31 at SM City North EDSA (Sky Dome).
Halloween goes 3D
The biggest 3D Halloween painting in the Philippines features the Halloween Treats icon, “The Pumpkin Man,” as well as representations of Hong Kong Disneyland’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Ocean Park Hong Kong’s Wymann and Mirror Man, and Madame Tussauds’ Mad Doctor. At the Glorietta 5 Atrium, see the biggest 3D Halloween painting in the Philippines. Launched by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the painting gives guests a glimpse of Hong Kong Halloween Treats 2012, Hong Kong’s annual Halloween festival.
The painting features the HKTB’s Halloween Treats icon, “The Pumpkin Man,” as well as representations of Hong Kong Disneyland’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Ocean Park Hong Kong’s Wymann and Mirror Man, and Madame Tussauds’ Mad Doctor.
“Numerous street celebrations, masquerade balls, and costume parties are also held in various areas such as Lan Kwai Fong and Avenue of the Stars, among others. Restaurants and food stores also offer tempting Halloween-themed treats that families and friends can enjoy,” said Simon Wong, HKTB regional director for Southeast Asia.
This year, HKTB, together with its partners, Ayala Malls, Cebu Pacific Air, and Park Hotel Hong Kong, gives everyone in the Philippines a chance to win a three-day, two-night trip to Hong Kong for two to experience Hong Kong Halloween Treats 2012 in Hong Kong.
Too old to go trick or treating? There are a number of Halloween activities for grown-ups too. –KG, GMA News
