The period of time after Halloween and before Thanksgiving in the United States is a grey area.  It’s not quite Christmas, but it’s also no longer that spooky pre-Halloween time.  We all know those eager Christmas junkies that break out their Christmas decor on November 1, and can be heard humming holiday carols at all times of the day.  The ladder, is the group of people who aren’t quite ready to embrace the ‘most wonderful time of the year’.  

In my opinion, Christmas starts right after everyone has filled themselves to the brim with Thanksgiving dessert and the whole family settles into the couch and to watch the movie ‘Elf’.

So for those not quite ready to let Fall go, here is a post-Halloween article about the ghost and ghouls that haunt the Philippines.  

In America we have things like vampires, ghosts, bigfoot, demons and spirits.  And we all know at least one or two good ghost stories.  Whether we’ve experienced the supernatural ourselves, or we’re relaying a story we heard from a friend, there’s nothing quite like a spooky tale that sends chills down your spine.  The Philippines is no different!  There are ghosts and ghouls that haunt this corner of the world too.  I could explain them all, but I think this video does them more justice than I ever could:

The supernatural world is still alive and active in the Philippines, there are precautions to be taken in order to limit your vulnerability to the hurtful spirits.  Like saying ‘tabi tabi po’ when passing by an area well known for Encantado (american equivalent would be a fairy).  If you do find yourself effected, healers can be found in every City, Municipality, Barangay, and Situ.  They are the ones that can heal ailments that cannot be cured by doctors or medicine.  When I was sick a few months ago, the first thing I was asked was if I had offended anyone, as they may have put a curse on me.  A quick diagnosis by Nanay determined I was ‘really sick talaga’ and had not been cursed.

But now that it’s drawing closer and closer to Christmas (and there’s no Thanksgiving to perpetuate the Fall) the spooky stories are being put away for next season, and the Christmas trees are being decorated with tinsel and lights.  Hopefully I’ll spend my last Christmas in the Philippines in Casiguran, and not consolidated for another Typhoon!