City Hall hosts trick or treat for children

OFFICES inside the Cebu City Hall celebrated Halloween on Monday with a trick or treat, games and a mini-horror booth for kids.

The annual trick or treat or the giving of candies and food to the children of City Hall employees and to kids who would come and visit during the activity has become a tradition according to Lea Japson, head of the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS).

According to Japson, more than 150 children took part in this year’s trick or treat which is higher that last year’s attendance of 100 plus kids. Japson said they were more prepared this year.

“Last year 100 raman amoa gi-prepare unya more than 100 man na abot so amo gi-increase og 150. So nagpa-register mi, first 150 gi tagaan og snacks (Last year we prepared 100 [snacks] but more than 100 [children] came so we increased our count to 150 then we let the first 150 kids register and gave them snacks),” said Japson.

The offices were not required to prepare candies and snacks according to Glaise Onngcoy, Executive Secretary of Councilor James Cuenco. But because it has become a tradition, every office would prepare snacks or anything that they could give to the visiting kids. Some offices also had their own “pakulo” like the office of Councilor Joel Garganera which was transformed into a horror booth.

Children were greeted with people wearing scary costumes like a ghost nun and other monsters waiting inside the dimly lit office, complete with candles and even a fogging machine. Kids screamed as they tried to find their way through.

Those brave enough went inside and left with candies and chocolates while the scared ones cried and refused to go in.

There was also a contest for the kid with the best costume. Seven-year-old Chelsie Coino, who was dressed as Amihan of the popular TV fantaserye Encantadia, won the best in costume award.