From Manila’s Star-Studded Halloween Parties to Vancouver’s Rising Filipino Creators

By CJ Jaravata-Aldaba, Philippine Canadian Inquirer

CJ Jaravata-Aldaba

Halloween in Manila is known for its extravagant costumes, celebrity-filled parties, and elaborate productions. From Tim Yap’s famous Shake Rattle and Ball to Raymond Gutierrez’s glamorous Opulence Halloween Ball, these events have become highlights of Manila’s entertainment scene.

⁠⁠CJ Jaravata-Aldaba (left) with Tim Yap (center) and Phem Barranda (right) at Tim Yap’s Shake, Rattle and Ball in Manila.

Having been part of the industry for over two decades, I’ve attended many of these celebrations, including those hosted by my good friends Tim and Mond. Their parties capture the creativity and excitement Filipinos bring to Halloween.

CJ Jaravata-Aldaba at Raymond Gutierrez’s Opulence Halloween Ball in Manila.

In Vancouver, Filipino content creators are bringing that same energy to their own celebrations.

A Little Manila Halloween in Vancouver

On October 31, Filipino-Canadian content creators and friends gathered for “No Diggity, Just Spooky,” a Halloween party inspired by ’90s and 2000s R&B and hip-hop.

⁠ ⁠⁠Attendees at the “No Diggity, Just Spooky” Halloween Party held on October 31, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada. Among those pictured are Mike and Glenda Reyes, Danny and Aileen Samson, Carlo and Michelle Brito, and Janice Lozano, among others. Photo by Jayson Chua

The celebration brought together Filipino families, professionals, and creatives for a night of music, dancing, and imaginative costumes.

The Aldaba family in their Viking-inspired Halloween costumes. Chris and CJ Jaravata-Aldaba with their twins, Caleb and Jaden, celebrating Halloween 2026 in Vancouver. Photo by Jayson Chua

Filipino DJs Kidd and Aza kept the party going with nostalgic hits, while photographer Jayson Chua captured the evening’s highlights.

From fierce Vikings to fantasy characters and hilarious costumes, guests showed that Filipino creativity knows no borders.

A colorful mix of witches, pirates, Vikings, and other playful characters brought Halloween to life at the No Diggity, Just Spooky party in Vancouver on October 31, 2026. Photos by Jayson Chua.

Beyond the festivities, the gathering also highlighted Vancouver’s growing Filipino creative community.

Meet Vancouver’s Filipino Creative Circle

Among the organizers was Gigo de Guzman, a marketing professional, content creator, and son of the late iconic Filipino singer Claire dela Fuente. Now based in Vancouver, he creates travel and lifestyle content alongside his partner, Lewis Eugenio, an engineer and fellow content creator.

Lewis Eugenio (left), engineer and content creator, with Gigo De Guzman (right), corporate marketing professional and content creator, son of the late singer Claire Dela Fuente, at the “No Diggity, Just Spooky” Halloween Party in Vancouver on October 31, 2026. Photo by Jayson Chua.

Also part of the group was Austin Trinidad, a former flight attendant who shares fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content, and Nicky Mosqueda, who balances her corporate career in British Columbia with motherhood and content creation.

⁠Austin Trinidad as the fierce Maleficent, joined by husband Reus as a mysterious masked reaper and their sons Xevi and Xanti as a brave little warrior and a terrifying red creature at the “No Diggity, Just Spooky” Halloween party in Vancouver. Photo by Jayson Chua.

Their different backgrounds reflect a growing community of Filipinos balancing careers, family life, and creative pursuits while building friendships and collaborations.

Nicky Mosqueda as Little Red Riding Hood, with husband Vince as the Big Bad Wolf and their little Spider-Man, son Rocco, at the No Diggity, Just Spooky Halloween Party in Vancouver. Photo by Jayson Chua.

Connecting Two Worlds

For me, helping organize the celebration was another way of connecting my two worlds.

I continue to work as an actress under Viva Artists Agency in Manila while running my marketing and events company, CLOUT. In Vancouver, I’m exploring opportunities in film and television commercials while creating travel and lifestyle content.

Splitting my time between Manila and Vancouver allows me to stay connected to both communities.

Despite the different lifestyles, the Filipino spirit feels the same. Whether at a star-studded event in Manila or a gathering of content creators in Vancouver, there’s always that familiar warmth, humor, and love for celebrating together.

Bigger Celebrations Ahead?

Following this year’s gathering, the organizers are considering a bigger Halloween celebration in 2027, bringing together more Filipino content creators, personalities, families, and friends across British Columbia.

⁠Halloween party organizers joined by content creators Rubina AshRi and Celine Gabriel at the “No Diggity, Just Spooky” Halloween Party in Vancouver.

And who knows? Perhaps one day Tim and Mond could bring a little of their famous Manila Halloween magic to Vancouver!

Beyond bigger parties and celebrity guests, gatherings like these help Filipino creatives connect, collaborate, and build a stronger community.

From Manila’s glamorous Halloween balls to Vancouver’s growing creative circle, the setting may be different, but the Filipino love for celebrating remains the same.

After all, you can take a Filipino out of Manila, but you can never take the party out of a Filipino!