Hey Holiday: November 2014

Halloween is the second most celebrated and marketed holiday next to Christmas. It's widely celebrated in the states as well as here in the Philippines. I'm glad that the number of halloween events are increasing every year however I didn't really feel the Halloween vibe in shopping malls, stores, or boutiques. Yes there were a lot of stores selling halloween stuff but what I was looking for were showcases.

Anyway, I went around different areas in the Metro and I'd like to share some of the best places that displayed awesome Halloween decorations.

15 Coolest Halloween Decorations in the Metro

15. BGC HIGH STREET (Taguig)

Thanks to my sister in law Tris (who sent me this photo), I was able to see this cool display. I'm not quite sure what the event was. I'm assuming High street had trick or treat on the weekend of October 25-26. I went the following Monday but saw nothing. Nevertheless, I liked this especially the tree with the pumpkin "fruits" haha.

Photo taken by Leatrice San Juan

14. MESCLUN BISTRO (Serendra, Taguig)

It may just be paper cut outs and cobwebs but I think this one has a cohesive window display. They had the right amount of decor; it's simple but it works.

13. SABOTEN (Serenda, Taguig)

I had to look twice at their decors to get what it was about. They had oriental looking masks, cobwebs, and spiders. I wasn't my favorite but I appreciate the effort and hard work to put those up. I'm impressed that their masks didn't look like the normal ghoulish types you can easily buy.

12. KRISPY KREME

Personally I'm not a fan of Kripsy Kreme (the calories from their donuts scare me) but, I am a big big fan of their themes, promos, and decors (even if most of the time they just use stickers; I do prefer decorations with dimensions). I just love how they're always in sync with the Holidays.

This year's Krispy Kreme Halloween revolves around ghosts and the Ghostbusters.

I applaud their attempt for these thematic donuts. Promotions were indeed enticing but the actual donuts didn't look like the photos. I was hoping to be blown away with cuteness, but when I went there... it was just okay.

The branch I visited was in GREENHILLS

11. Gino's Brick Oven Pizza (Salcedo Village, Makati)

With its modern rustic interiors, Gino's just needed simple Halloween decors to make it festive. I loved their oven brick pizzas plus their red brick wall.

I don't know if this was done on purpose; Gino's placed their cut-out bat on this light bulb that happens to be right in front of their air con. It's spooky-funny to watch a bat flap its wings.

10. MURRAY AND D'VINE (Serendra)

I think their lights were too bright. When I was walking to find if any of the places in Serendra had Halloween decors, I almost missed this one. I'm glad I walked slow and saw the sign HALLOWINE. I was not able to go inside but by judging their front decors, I could say that they did a great job with the placement of their cobwebs and spiders, plus extra points for the super creepy witch.

9. Paseo de Magallanes (Makati)

Paseo de Magallanes had lighted outdoor Halloween Pumpkins made from fiber glass. It looked awesome at night. And because they're bright orange, I bet it looked festive during day as well. They only had it by the entrance; wish they had more of these pumpkins; super cute!

8. RECIPES (Resorts World Manila)

Alot of establishments used store bought bat cut outs and spider webs. To me, Recipes had one of the best uses or placement. I enjoyed seeing the bats "fly"!

7.Buona Vita (Molito, Alabang)

The restaurant's color and logo somehow ties up well with the halloween colors. I liked that they had scarecrows and their display looks fun & kid friendly rather than creepy. I think the only creepy part here was my brother, hahaha, just kidding :)

6. BLUFROG (Greenhills Promenade)

Back when Blufrog was still at Tiendesitas, Pasig, I remember that they do decorate for Halloween. I think they had this inflatable carriage with some witches, I think; I hope I'm correct haha.

Anyway, I liked Blufrog Greenhills' display because of their cool decor pieces--- the scarecrow, skulls, and the skeleton server.

Also, their liquor display was super cool. The lighting + the spiders and cobwebs created this eerie feeling. It felt as if this was modern day Dracula's bar, haha!

5. PLAYERS (Alabang Town Center)

We went to check out Players after Halloween and luckily they still had their decors there. I loved how this Pub went all out. Their dark walls and cozy interiors also added to the Halloween feeling.

4. RED CRAB (Resorts World Manila)

Mad props to Red Crab and their display! Talk about recreating Magandang Gabi Bayan, hahaha!

Also, they have the coolest crew who went all out for halloween. I went on a Sunday, October 26, and the servers were all dressed and "ghouled" out.

3. SLICE (Bonifacio High Street, Taguig)

I asked friends if they know of any place that decorated for Halloween. Most of them said Slice so I checked it out.

Slice's Halloween decorations made sure they gave emphasis on their products. The focal point was their Halloween table which I loved!

2. TOMAHAWK (Kapitolyo)

Tomahawk is my number 2 because of the experience. I went with my sister Angel and we were immediately excited with all their decorations. Servers Ross and Mike greeted us warmly and toured us around.

Because their entryway is a bit narrow, I felt as if we were in a tunnel and that a huge spider is about to get us.

Wait! There's more!!!

I thought that Tomahawk was just small. I was pleasantly surprised that they had a bigger area that could accommodate 30-40 people.

1. FELIPE AND SONS (Makati)

My 2014 Best Halloween Decor award goes to the coolest Barbershop and Haberdashery in town! Their decors were just brilliant thanks to interior Designer Melissa Arriola.

My best friend Margaux sent me these pictures and I got so excited. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see this myself but nevertheless... I was immediately blown away!!! The ground floor was transformed into a graveyard and the main store had quirky skeletons dressed with their handsome suits.

To me this was the best--- the most dramatic and most accomplished amongst all the places I saw. The place was just awesome!