"Trick or treat, give me something good to eat" chocolate fridge cake. Halloween in our village

Halloween is a celebration observed on 31 October, primarily in regions of the Western world; the traditions and importance of the celebration vary significantly between geographical areas. Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts….

Halloween decoration in Urdaneta village

In Philippines, trick or treating is gradually replacing the tradition of Pangangaluluwà, a local version of the old English custom of souling. Some provinces in the Philippines still celebrates “Pangangaluluwa” by forming a group that will go house to house and offer a song in exchange for money or food. But like other traditions, this tradition is starting to fade. The custom had Filipino children singing carols about the souls in Purgatory and asking for abúloy (alms for the deceased) to pay for Masses for the dead. Along with the requested alms, householders sometimes gave the children suman or rice cake. During the night various small items, such as items of clothing, plants, etc, would "mysteriously" disappear, only to be discovered the next morning in the yard, or in the middle of the street. In older times, it was believed that during Halloween, spirits of loved ones visit and manifest their visit by taking an item.

The prevalence of Western media helped spread the celebration of Halloween, particularly the custom of dressing in costume and trick-or-treating, beginning in the 1960s. Its popularity has increased over the decades. Seasonal decorations and costumes are now widely available in many mayor supermarkets even on the streets, while horror-themed marketing, films, and television programmes are commonplace. Filipinos just love horror movies, not only during Halloween.

Like in Spain, many people return to home provinces to visit and tend the graves of loved ones. If you have see the Pedro Almovodar movie Volver when Penelope Cruz and other women are cleaning the crypts and leaving fresh flowers to replace the dry ones, you will have a good picture of this strong tradition.

First prize Village haunted house 2013

Each year, Aurelia usually chooses to be a Witch, sometimes a good one or a bad one, it depends on her mood. The costume we have is made of polyester so the poor thing is walking around the streets "sweating like a chicken" (sudando como un pollo, in Spanish), like everybody. Including myself, dressed up as a skeleton.

There are parties during the week of the 24 till the end of October, but the real Halloween day is on the 31st. It is great to see the decoration in the houses and the kids dressed up doing the trick or treating from 4pm. Everybody is collecting lollies and small toys in the plastic pumpkins including the yayas, drivers and their families. 

Whether you believe or not in this tradition, it is an unforgettable life experience! 

Halloween treat

• 100g buter, cubed
• 150g milk chocolate and 150g dark chocolate
• 4 tbsp golden syrup
• 200g digestive biscuits
• 75 g mini marshmallows; 75g sultanas; 75g peanuts, chopped

1. Lightly grease a baking tray with baking paper, leaving lots of paper overhang to cover the cake.
2. Gently melt the butter, chocolates and golden syrup over low heat. Remove it and let it cool.
3. Place the digestive biscuits in a mixing bowl and break into small chunks.
4. Stir the biscuits, marshmallows, sultanas and peanuts together. Pour in the chocolate mixture and mix well.
5. Spoon into the prepared tray and press down with a spatula. Fold the overhanging paper over the top of the cake, like if  you were wrapping it. Place in the fridge to set.
6. Serve it into small pieces.

Notes:

• Be aware this is a "messy" cake, but it is fun for the kids to lick their fingers...
• It is a perfect recipe for the children to make it. Encourage them to get involved!
• You can place it in the freezer and store it until wanted.