A different kind of Allhallowtide season this year, even for these GMA stars

This year, expect observance of the Allhallowtide season—encompassing Halloween, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day—to be a bit different due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Since cemeteries were earlier ordered closed on these days, many celebrities have opted to commemorate their loved ones at home. Halloween parties are out of the question, because mass gatherings are still discouraged. And then there are others who will have to spend the holiday at work, stuck in lock-in tapings.

But these won’t stop them from observing family traditions, they said. At the end of the day, the occasion is all about honoring departed loved ones and making sure that their memories will live on. And it shouldn’t really matter where or when they do it.

Kyline Alcantara

I will be working during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. But nevertheless, I will not forget to say a prayer for my beloved loved ones who passed away.

We don’t usually have Halloween parties. Instead, we visit the cemetery or put an altar in our house with the memorabilia of our loved ones who passed away and talk about our memories of them.

Thea Tolentino

We usually go to the cemetery, which won’t happen this year. But for me kasi the date isn’t important. You can pay respects to your depar­ted loved ones anytime. So we will just probably visit once the cemeteries reopen, on a not-so-busy day.

This is how things have always been since I was a kid. But last year, I told my mother that I wouldn’t be able to go with them, because I haven’t experienced going out with my friends during Halloween. And she was OK with it. My friends and I went to La Union. This time, we’re just staying home.

Gil Cuerva

Our family is never really the type to go out to the cemeteries for All Souls’ Day. However, that being said, we still pay our respects to our loved ones we lost by telling stories and recollecting moments and memories spent with them—something we could still do despite the ongoing pandemic, because it doesn’t require any of us to go out.

I feel like the best way we could pay our respects to our loved ones that we lost is by celebrating the lives they lived, and to make their spirits live inside of us through recalling the memories we made with them. We try to remember our loved ones by telling a story or moment we shared with them, and by remembering how this person made a positive impact in our lives.

For me, it’s really about celebra­ting the kind of people they were when they were here with us. We, of course, also pray to God that they may rest in His presence.

I was never really a Halloween person to be honest. I wasn’t good at dressing up and I’m terrible when it comes to planning a costume. I usually just stay at home and take care of my dog. But I wouldn’t mind going to a party if I feel like doing so.

Juancho Triviño

My family and I usually visit two cemeteries in different locations. But for the past few years, it was either we go earlier or later to pay our respects, so that we can spend quality time with other members of the family.

This year most likely will be different. We would want to be safe and just stay home and say our prayers for our dearly departed.

For the past few years, I have been spending Halloween, hanging out and socializing with my friends in costumes. When I was young, my sisters and I went trick-or-treating in our village. That was a lot of fun.

Ina Feleo

We usually visit our loved ones at the cemetery every Nov. 2. We bring flowers, chat and take some photos. We also hear Mass and offer prayers for our departed loved ones. And then we go to dinner together.

This year, aside from COVID-19, I will be in a lock-in taping. But my mommy (Laurice Guillen) and I will still remember and pray for daddy (Johnny Delgado).

Our family doesn’t really celebrate Halloween. I have only been in a costume party once, in the United States in 2006, while I was on tour with Bayanihan Dance Company. That was so fun because they really take their costumes seriously. Everywhere I went, especially at malls, people were all dressed up!

Pauline Mendoza

My family usually spend the whole day in the cemetery to pay our respects to my two brothers who are now angels in heaven who guide and look after us.

Because of the pandemic, we couldn’t do our tradition of visiting our departed loved ones in the cemetery. It’s actually sad. So this year, what we plan to do is just to stay at home and pray for them together with the family. I know they will understand why we can’t visit them at this time.

I used to go trick-or-treating with my cousins. We have this collection of pictures of our costumes every year. And it’s actually fun to reminisce about it, especially in times like these.

Anthony Rosaldo

It has been a family tradition to visit my dad’s remains at the cemetery every All Saints’ Day. We bring food so we could feast as if we’re doing it again with our late father. This year, we plan to continue the tradition at home, eat together as a family and offer prayers to our departed loved ones.

I look at Halloween as a fun activity, so we usually attend parties. Last year, I went to Tokyo to celebrate it with friends. When I was a kid, I remember being excited about dressing up for Halloween. My aunt usually takes me and my cousins to go trick-or-treating around the village. And I always end up taking home the most number of candies and chocolates! I guess my costumes worked!

Yasser Marta

Things are really different because we’re in a lock-in taping during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Given the situation that we’re in right now, I will just pray for my departed loved ones.

I’m a Muslim so my family doesn’t celebrate Halloween. But I do go out with friends and go trick-or-treating at school.

Arra San Agustin

Every year, my mom and I just light a candle and pray for my grandfather and other relatives who passed away. I honestly don’t do anything other than stay home and just be with family.

As a child, I have never celebrated Halloween with my family and that is because my mom never really found interest in parties.

I had never even worn a costume then. But for the past few years, I have been celebrating Halloween with friends, [wearing] costumes … and just having simple parties or gatherings.

Kiray Celis

We’re used to visiting my grandmother, and family and … bond together and pray for her. We even go biking. But this year will be different; we will just stay in the house and pray. But she has always been in my prayers anyway. She’s always in my heart and mind.

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