Food prepared on All Saints Day
By namiya
@namiya (1713)
Philippines
October 31, 2012 9:59am CST
Here in the Philippines, I have observed that on All Saints Day there are variations in Halloween food being prepared by various regions. In our province from Western Visayas, people usually prepare native delicacies (kakanin). Hence, as a child then I always look forward to this date as a chance to eat an assortment of delicacies hopping from a neighbor to another neighbor as everyone is almost welcome. Neighbors also exchange or share food prepared with one another. My favorite then is what we locally call “betso, palitaw and bayebaye” which are not easy to prepare and thus normally abundant only on special occasions like All Saints Day.
Here in Luzon, I have observed that people from Bulacan usually prepare “ginataan” with various root crops as must ingredients and in Cavite and Batanggas, dominant is “suman”. I am not sure though if what I have observed being prepared on parts that we stayed on above mentioned provinces is a practice of the whole province.
How about you co mylotters, what are the favourite “Halloween foods” prepared in your place. Share please.
2 people like this
4 responses
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
31 Oct 12
Here in mexico we all cook things like tamales or posole here ( a mexican stes). As many family members get together today and tomorrow here.
@pheenkeesh (103)
• Philippines
2 Nov 12
Wow, I just had tamales from my relatives who came from a trip from Tarlac. I'm not sure if its the same as the tamales from Mexico but I'm amused by the coincidence. We both celebrate all saints and all souls day probably due to our similar roots in religion. As for our family, I have to admit that we really don't have a staple food for this occasion. We just eat dinner together before heading to the cemetery and just buy pizza from a nearby stall when we're about to leave.
@mrsuniega (786)
• Philippines
1 Nov 12
hello namiya
Here in my province here in North of Luzon, every All Saints day we cook rice recipes or delicacies. we then eat this at night and we light candles in our houses. these tradition is always observed every year. 
@namiya (1713)
• Philippines
1 Nov 12
Almost the same practice in our province but since I now live here in NCR with my children we just light candles in the house and offer prayers to our departed love ones. We don't go to the cemetery as those we are remembering were all buried in the province and no delicacies too as no one among us knows how to prepare it.
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
I think some of those food you've mentioned are regularly prepared since they're somewhat a native delicacy of that province. Maybe it just so happens that during holidays like All Saints Day, they prepare a bit more of it knowing that there would be people from out of town that maybe coming. Actually, it's just an opinion of mine. I've lived in the metropolis all my life and we don't really have any particular dish that we serve during All Saints Day :)
@namiya (1713)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
yes these food are favorite delicacies but somewhat elaborate to prepare hence are commonly done on special occasions. This is why we always look forward for All Saints Day as this is the time where people really take time out to prepare special delicacies. And you are right this is also one of the rare time in a year when families get to see one another.
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
1 Nov 12
Last night i was talking to my friend in Davao, she told me about this festivals,as she has holiday, she said she will make special dishes for all members in family and distribute some to neighbors too.
Thanks for sharing about this festival.
@namiya (1713)
• Philippines
1 Nov 12
Davao is known for fruits and one of the popular cities in our country. I have a cousin who live there but have not been in that place yet. Yes it's one of the good traits of our people, on special occasions we prepare food not only for the family but also share some with friends and neighbors.
