Children in varied Halloween costumes attracted many, filling the sidewalks and major streets in Balanga City Thursday afternoon.

The children with their faces amply made up and their attire in phantom figures made the rounds of business establishments in Balanga starting at the nearby Chowking Restaurant. The stores prepared small goodies and gifts for the children with either their father or mother in tow as the sound of eerie music can be heard.

Balanga City Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III, clad in Dracula costume said that they call the occasion Halloween Tricks for Treat because there was a sort of “takutan” and at the same time the giving of some gifts to the children. He explained that the meaning of the word Halloween is divided into two, “halo” or holy and “ween” which means evening.

Vice-Mayor Noel Valdecañas and members of the City Council were likewise in different fearful attires.

Two big groups of children participated, one coming from the city hall and the other from the Bataan provincial capitol. They all met at the Recar Building where they approached business establishments who handed out small tokens to the kids.

As night fell, the children with the most fearful costumes were selected by a panel of judges and given cash awards.