If you are a Bulusan kid the Trick or Treat Halloween activity of city kids is totally strange.
What is more familiar are the candle ball making in the cemetery and the prank play of being mischievous for a night during the 'tigkaralagan' when kids and teenagers (most often boys) are often tolerated whenever they do some 'harmless' tricks to their neighbors who were unfortunate enough to be the objects of this fun night.This is usually done on the night of November 1, All Saints' Day. Though All Souls' Day is a day after, the locals are more accustomed to celebrate these two occasions as one.
In Bulusan, the 'pwera sibang' prayer is obligatory when passing in known or unknown tomb. This will assure that no harm and no ire will befall to those who say this short prayer addressed to the ghosts and spirits that may still be inhabiting the tombs.
No known incident though of 'sibang' in my entire stay in my hometown.
Bulusan, Sorsogon, Philippines
