Who are Gen-Z’s cosplaying this coming Halloween?

SPOOKY season is just around the corner and it’s exciting to see what everybody will be dressing up as for Halloween. 

Most people dress up as characters they see in pop culture, such as fictional characters from their favorite movies or series, while some (especially kids) wear costumes of mythical characters like witches, ghosts, and vampires.

While the celebration of Halloween in the Philippines is still quite new, it is often seen on social media how the Zoomers are one of the largest participants of this event.  

Most of us are well familiar on how the Zoomers can be creative with their styles. From inspiration from pop culture and memes, many people who celebrate Halloween yearly plan the costumes they are to wear but has it ever fascinated you on what Gen-Z’s are planning to wear for this year’s event? 

Why do we wear costumes on Halloween?

Before we jumped into asking the Gen-Z on who they plan to be this Halloween, let us first learn about the brief history of Halloween. 

The practice of observing Halloween has been going on for more than a thousand years. It originally started as a religious observance but later became increasingly secular until its religious trappings disappeared.   

According to Brittanica, the origins of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival also known as Samhain. This festival is held on November 1 in contemporary calendars.

On the day of the festival, it is believed that the souls of the dead returned to their homes–and to ward off spirits, people lit bonfires and dressed in costumes. 

Eventually, during the early 20th century in the United States, the practice of ‘trick-or-treating’ became a tradition where costumed children would knock on their neighbors’ doors to ask for candies. 

Halloween in the Philippines

While dressing up and trick-or-treating is primarily popular in the West, now, more Filipinos are starting to pick up the same Halloween traditions. 

Just like with Christmas parties, some companies and schools are now conducting Halloween parties.

But before, Filipinos simply observe Undas by going to the provinces to visit the graves of their late loved ones. 

Aside from commemorating their departed loved ones, Undas has become a season of family reunions. 

Who are Gen-Zs cosplaying this year?

republicasia reached out to 4 Gen Zs to talk about what they plan to dress up for this year’s upcoming Halloween. 

Elizabeth from Gintama 

For 22-year-old Maria Michaella Acodensin, she plans to dress up as a manga character. 

“I will dress up as Elizabeth from Gintama, if you see a big duck, that’s me,” she said. “I think this would be a perfect opportunity to make fun of my friends who watch Gintama and I will come in there with a big duck costume.” 

It is not the first time that Acodensin will attend a Halloween event as she yearly participates in the Halloween party organized by their barangay. For her, it is something that she gets to enjoy especially with the fun of having to dress up.

For this year’s Halloween party, Acondensin shared that she and her friends don’t have a place to celebrate yet but have a crazy idea to do it in the mall.  

Remy from Ratatouille

Just like Acodensin, 19-year-old Myeisha also has a history of attending Halloween parties. 

Last year, Myeisha along with her friends had a girl’s night and the plan was to have a pre-game at Chili’s. By 9 pm, they were already drunk with the unli margaritas.  

In her previous Halloween costume, she dressed up as a Victoria’s Secret Angel because she wanted to be out of character. 

“I wanted to be sexy and not funny because I’m already funny year-round.” she said. 

Meanwhile, for this year’s Halloween party, Myeisha plans to dress up as a famous animal character. 

“I plan to dress up like Remy from Ratatouille because he’s a cutie pie and I love that movie,” she added. 

Miguel from Coco 

22-year-old Ruel has not attended a Halloween party ever but if he will be able to attend one this year, he plans to dress up as Miguel from the movie Coco. 

“Siguro yung main reason is wala lang, I do like music so ayun.” He said. “Unang pumasok sa isip ko is ayun, why not do a halloween costume na connected sa music.” He added. 

And if Ruel is to be invited to a Halloween party he would instantly say ‘yes.”

“Depends kung sino yung mga nandoon, siguro if mostly kapag aattend ako yung mga close ko lang kasi I’m not into partying.” 

Spiderman 

Just like Ruel, 23-year-old Robert Villador hasn’t attended a Halloween party yet but if given a chance, he would be dressing up like Spiderman. 

Villador shared that he wanted to dress like the superhero this Halloween because of his fondness of spiders. 

“Mahilig ako sa gagamba kasi marami silang abilities na hindi kayang gawin ng ibang insecto.” he shared.  

Villador came to share that he wanted to attend a Halloween party this year for the sole purpose being able to meet new people.