A TikTok content creator in Singapore has been posting daily videos featuring funny and creative Halloween costumes based on local memes.
Since 9 Oct, Raphael Cheong (@ruhph) has showcased various costumes he made by hand.
They have included designs such as a BCRS machine, Hougang Block ABC, and even the haze.
Source: Ruhph TikTok
Raphael’s costume videos have been well-received online, with some of them receiving hundreds of thousands of views.
Netizens complimented him on his creativity and originality.
Source: Ruhph TikTok
Source: Ruhph TikTok
Some also praised the effort that Raphael put into the content.
Source: Ruhph TikTok
Source: Ruhph TikTok
Speaking to MS News, Raphael admitted that he did not start the series with a complete list of costumes in mind.
However, once his initial videos gained traction online, he committed to seeing the series “through to the end”.
Raphael credited his costume concepts to being “chronically online”, constantly keeping tabs on viral Singapore memes and pop culture moments:
I think it’s a distinctive part of our culture that we should embrace. And most of these moments were either something I made a TikTok about beforehand or had on my radar.
Raphael also shared that he brainstormed around 30 ideas, including backup options.
He also makes it a point to pair each video with matching audio or skits.
“It’s just an easter egg for my own satisfaction and I love when people pick up on it,” he said.
Raphael shared that he builds the outfits in advance to avoid last-minute rushes.
However, certain intricate designs demanded significantly more time and precision.
“For example, the IJOOZ one took me quite awhile because I wanted to make it as accurate as possible. As did the ‘haze’ one as I was trying to figure out the best way to do it,” he elaborated.
For detail work, Raphael uses paint markers.
Meanwhile, building the props itself required materials such as corrugated boards.
Raphael explained that he also tried reusing recyclables where possible. These included egg cartons, cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, among others.
He calls this approach “usemaxxing”, or doing “as much as possible with the materials”.
Raphael drew inspiration for the series after noticing many Western beauty and makeup creators sharing daily Halloween costume looks online.
Seeing that Singapore produced plenty of viral moments throughout the year, he thought that a Singaporean should do it too.
He then decided to take on the challenge himself and began the series a week into October.
Through designing his outfits around 2026’s biggest local memes and headlines, he wanted to show that there are inside jokes that only Singaporeans can understand.
“There clearly is a shared sense of humour in Singapore and I’d hope that this series has proved that,” Raphael said.
Raphael also gave his opinion on the beauty of working on such projects.
“Fancy Halloween costumes are great, but I think there’s something so charming about a scrappy, handmade, DIY idea,” Raphael shared.
In a world of artificiality, it’s something that AI can’t recreate.
He explained that he does not have any background in art.
As such, “most of the times it’s really about starting and hoping for the best” for him in visualising and designing the costumes.
Raphael expressed gratitude that the ideas have worked out thus far, but was also sure that if he does this again next year, he would start “way earlier”.
Also read: Netizen creates free game where you simulate running your own hawker empire
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Featured image adapted from @ruhph on TikTok.