10 rules for a foolproof Halloween

wLike everybody else, I wanted to be a great many things when I was younger: Storm from X-Men, the Pink Ranger from Power Rangers (I actually had the costume), Queen Amidala from Star Wars (in my defense, I was 12), Draco Malfoy, just to name a few. Nothing’s changed now that I’m in my mid-20s, except that I’m better at pretending I’m grown up these days. I still like to imagine that I’m a Jedi Knight.

Every year, on Halloween, I can be. It’s the one day in the year that I’m allowed to let my freak flag fly and unleash my inner geek. Of course it’s my favorite holiday.

Roy Roy Lichtenstein-inspired pop art comic book girl

It’s always a challenge to be someone new every Halloween; always a challenge to think of a character unlikely to be picked by someone else. There are few things as fun and fulfilling as deciding on something crazy and then watching it all come together as Oct. 31 (or the weekend closest) nears. For those of you who, like me, don’t go for the Slutty (Insert Occupation Here) costume formula, but still haven’t figured it out for Halloween 2011, here are some tips:

1. Underwear is not a costume. Unless it’s canon. Like, if you’re going as a superhero. Or Slave Leia. Every hubadera in Manila will be taking this holiday as an opportunity to strut around in as little clothing as possible. Do you really want to be one of them?

2. Refrain from going as a character from a recently popular movie or TV show, or as the year’s hottest pop star. Only do it if you’re sure that you can pull it off better than anyone else who might show up as the same person. Dozens of 2009 Lady Gaga-bes in discoball dresses can attest to that. The exception to this rule are popular characters who are near-impossible to do, or require too much effort to pull off. (Not everyone gives Halloween 110 percent like Tim Yap.)

3. Classics and cult favorites are always a hit. I wouldn’t mind seeing 10 Han Solos at a party. And I’m pretty sure that guys would love to be in a room full of Slave Leias. (Tim Burton characters are always fantastic, too.)

Marvel Comics supervillan Mystique

4. If you’re planning on showing up as a specific character or personality, make sure it isn’t a ridiculously obscure one that only a handful of people will recognize. That’s no fun for them or for you, especially since you put in so much effort. (Unless that’s what you’re going for. And if it is, bakit ka pa nag-Halloween, teh?) This is, of course, heavily dependent on which party you plan to attend, and who you’re expecting to see there. Keep in mind that even an image as iconic as David Bowie on the cover of “Aladdin Sane” can be mistaken for Jem and the Holograms by someone who has no idea who David Bowie is. All the same, be prepared to explain who you are, even if you’re dressed as Superman. (I’m going as Mystique from X-Men: First Class; I have my “I’m NOT Avatar!” spiel ready.)

5. Come in a group. It always adds to the impact, especially if you’re dressing up as a character who looks pretty normal. For example, you might not get a second glance as Scott Pilgrim flying solo, but with friends dressed as the whole Scott Pilgrim ensemble? Win.

6. Think DIY. Nothing is impossible. Well, there are probably a few costumes that are impossible, but there are ways to work around awesome but challenging characters. Just look at the folks on the Replica Prop Forum (therpf.com) who make Iron-Man suits (with arc reactors that actually light up!) out of foam or cardboard, resin, fiberglass, and that pink stuff they fill in car dents with. Amazing. (It’s probably a little too late in the game to be taking on that kind of project, but there’s always next year!)

7. Hone your Google-fu. Chances are, someone’s done your character before, especially if your taste runs geeky. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Run a search on Google to see how they did it, pick up some ideas, take note of what you want to do differently or better.

8. Have fun with makeup. The best thing about Halloween is that it’s one of the rare occasions you’re allowed to dress up and turn yourself into someone else. So turn yourself into someone else! Makeup is the easiest way to become another character.

Poison Ivy

Happy Halloween!

9. Raid your closet. Improvise. Just a couple of days ago, I was looking at a Christmas-themed department store advertisement and saw a gray-and-red shirt that screamed Freddy Krueger. Black hot pants, fishnets, a black blazer with tails, a white button-down, and a bow-tie? Zatanna. You’d be surprised what you can do with the items in your wardrobe, or cheap stuff from the ukay ukay. Unless you’re a costuming purist (I’m lookin’ at you, cosplayers), you can make adjustments to come up with your own interpretation of a character.

10. It’s always better to be undead. Zombies make everything awesome. Even the scantily clad, if you’re really determined to show some skin this Halloween. Don’t be just another tramp in underwear and bunny ears; be a zombie tramp in underwear and bunny ears. All it takes to be undead is really pale face powder (if you can’t find white), matte black and purple eyeshadow, and black eyeliner, which you can get really, really cheap in the department store’s beauty section. As for the fake blood, we picked up a yummy trick from director, musician and zombie veteran RA Rivera: Mix some red and green McCormick food coloring with Karo maple syrup and you’re good to go.

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See you at Meiday Mayhem tonight! We’re partying in costume at The Keg, Fort Strip, Taguig. Gig starts at 6 p.m., featuring Pedicab, Itchyworms, Taken By Cars, Ciudad, Ang Bandang Shirley, The Dorques, Halik Ni Gringo, The Royal, Techy Romantics, Kate Torralba, Outerhope, Misyonaryo, and Sunflower Day Camp, with DJ sets by Badaf Punk, Gian Romano, and Kiko Escora. Admission is free.