11 Clifton Road, London N22 7XN

The last day in October is always a big day in the Philippines. I can honestly say that this day equals the excitements, noise, and commercial value of the Christmas season. In the west this day is more known by the icon of pumpkins carved hollow out and a candle placed inside to burn the whole night in front of the house and children walking around the neighborhood in costumes carrying a sack and knocking at every door and saying when you open it: Trick or treat. The Roman Catholic church though would rather that the catholics would consider this day to remember the dead. While I am having my dinner tonight here at Sylvia's place I already got two knocks in the door. For one with no experience with this Treat or trick thing I decided not to answer the door - out of fear also that I might destroy the illusion children would like to think about this night. Come to think of it these children would soon be adults and discard this practice and moving on to the adults' way of celebrating this day. On my own I will take a walk around the neighborhood and have the fell of how this tradition is being celebrated here.