What did your kids wear for Halloween? While there were many Disney princesses, vampires, ghosts, and international superheroes in my daughter’s class; I didn’t see any kids wearing anything that screamed of Pinoy pride. So, when I saw the costume of Sky Gatdula’s 2-year-old son JK, I was floored.
Of course, I asked Sky what went into this particular costume. She explained that they have an annual Halloween costume contest in their village with the categories including “HEROES”. “I always wanted my son to stand out from the crowd,” she admits. “So I brainstormed with my aunt’s salon stylist (Allan Perry) and we came up with the idea that Pinoy superheroes must be recognized since Marvel and DC Heroes are already being used all the time.” Apparently, their finals options also included Panday.
To make the costume, Sky simply looked for a photo on Google for inspiration.
“I really love to DIY things, making me excited to do it,” she raves.
For the costume itself, Sky bought girl’s leggings at a department store for the pants, which cost Php199.She also bought one yard of red fabric for the cape and belt (which cost Php35). The cape was then seamed by her Ate Allan three hours prior to the event and they cut a small amount of red fabric and gold paper for the belt. For the hand ornaments, they used the gold paper, as well, while the 6-pack abs were contoured by Ate Allan. “The Captain Barbell lettering was done by me with eyeliner,” she jokingly adds.
As for the barbell, they used a curtain rod, an illustration board, an old carton box, and more gold paper. The curtain rod was basically wrapped with gold paper and the round shape was cut from the illustration board and carton box. (Sky shares that this was the most challenging thing to do.) The gold paper was then wrapped to the round shapes and a hole was put in the middle to attach the rod to.
Sky recommends for more kids to dress as Pinoy superheroes. “It’s about time that we recognize the work/art of our fellow Filipinos,” she says, enthusiastically. “Let’s introduce them to our kids! I’m so happy that my child enjoyed the character.
I showed him some Captain Barbell pictures and he really imitated him.”
