What Type of Shenanigans to Expect in Poblacion for Halloween

It’s that time of the year again when we can pretend to be iconic fictional and historical figures by donning costumes of varying quality and charm. There’s always that one place every country where the young go to lose themselves in the spooky festivities  and debauchery such as Itaewon in South Korea and Shibuya in Japan, where things can get pretty chaotic and out of control.

In our part of the world, Poblacion in Makati is the default recommendation as the place to be with your pals in costumes and to revel in the festivities. But first time Halloween goers must also keep in mind that the staple party spot in Makati is also notorious for becoming an overpopulated death trap consisting of pop culture references of dubious accuracy and likeability.

If you decide to head on over to the inter-dimensional portal that Makati turns into for all the frights and partying on Halloween, expect to feel at least mildly uncomfortable for the duration of the costume-fueled debauchery this time around.

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Just to set the scene: Halloween in this part of Southeast Asia will always, without fail, include people dressed up as virtually every depiction of the Joker, Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, Mima from Satoshi Kon’s masterpiece Perfect Blue, the guards from Squid game (yup keep expecting them in 2025), any of the current top K-Pop idols and mainstream pop stars, and a curtain call of Marvel/DC’s roster of superheroes/villains.

Take it from a guy who has experienced last year’s fabled Poblacion Halloween excursion, who went as a cross between Laurie from Little Women and the three-punch hole version of Jim Halpert from The Office. I’m sure the chronically online and Letterboxd lurkers can accurately picture this.

First impressions were “wow I didn’t know it could get this humid” and “I wonder if we’re ever gonna sit down tonight.”

So , the friends I did go with were sporting costumes that depicted the following anime characters: a biblically accurate portrayal of Aki Hayakawa from the smash-hit manga series and anime show Chainsaw Man , and the aforementioned Mima from traumatizing animated thriller Perfect Blue from the unique mind of Satoshi Kon.

On my end, I didn’t really put too much effort into my 'stume (just like how Andy Bernand from The Office would say it) other than cutting out three black paper circles and sticking them onto my button down shirt with double-sided tape. It’s about working smarter not harder since I didn’t really expect the costume holding up by the end of the night.

Just about an hour into our night, the air was already enveloped by a heavier cigarette-filled aroma than usual.

The first half of the night involved copious amounts of walking through dense crowds of perspiring 20-something-year-olds until you settle into a maximum of two or three shindig locations or bars since most of the popular ones will be filled to the brim if you don’t come early.

Don’t underestimate the value and the vibes found at the Uncle Johns and 7-11s of Poblacion, the convex mirrors found in these are must-trys as you and your friends form your own tableau of pop culture crossovers.

We also talked to a whole cast of characters and kindred spirits that seemed like scenes from the most unhinged fever dreams.

The journey to get to these bars also involved us losing our companions in the sea of costumes, some of which were straight-up nightmare fuel that still keep me up at night.

After we eventually regrouped and rendezvoused, we went on the search for the least chaotic bars and those that had the playlists closest to coming-of-age movie music.

Our final list came down to Ugly Duck, Oto, Kampai, and a tour of the convenience stores all around Makati.

While it didn’t really turn out to be as perilous as we thought, it was still a much more chaotic experience than what we’re used to.

What you should be bringing to Poblacion this year

This year, a bunch of free Halloween events will surely be on everyone’s to do lists such as those hosted by Z Hostel and Kampai, which are essentially rambunctious street parties and parades of costumes and various trick-or-treating functions suitable for those of us trying to enjoy the fleeting glow of youth.

We're going to throw out a few things that are essential additions to your utility belt (or in this case the quintessential esoteric tote bags) this year that would make the Halloween shenanigans in Makati a little less sticky and humid.

1| A metal flask containing water or an electrolyte drink of some kind

I know you may be sick and tired of everyone telling you to stay hydrated but there is some obvious wisdom to that as you embark on the Poblacion run. Most convenience stores will likely be packed and will drain the already limited energy and time you have by waiting in line. We highly recommend filling up your flask of choice (which should be in an inconspicuous color to blend into your costume) with a drink like Pocari Sweat to keep the cottonmouth and dehydration at bay. You can stock up on coffee but be wary of getting hopped up on too much caffeine as this could just make you even thirstier throughout the night and cause unwanted palpitations.

2| A fully-charged portable fan, trust us

It will be one of the most humid and sweat-inducing experiences you will have in recent memory. Those rechargeable Jisulife fans and the many other alternatives were what I wish I had the foresight to bring last year for the sweat-prone boys and girls out there.

3| A portable battery pack/power bank to stay connected

It is a no-brainer to keep your phone charged at a consistent 50 to 70 percent for the duration of your Pobla excursions and for you to take the best photos of the gang. Admittedly, this has been a perennial issue for me at most parties and it may be a herculean task to find a free charging outlet with all the mayhem.

4| A resilient stomach

Whether you expect to drink till you black out or to pursue a more conservative number, you need to prepare your belly for the potentially exorbitant amounts that you may consume. You can best do this by eating a balanced dinner beforehand, but don’t stuff yourself too much since that could be your ticket to barf town.

5| Unwavering determination and will power

This last time is largely intangible and can’t really be taught. But if you see yourself as having these qualities before mentally preparing yourself for the night to come, then Halloween at Poblacion would be survivable. This is if you really want to let loose and go the full stretch of the collision of worlds that isn’t for the feeble-hearted.