Bohol town takes pride in Santa Claus image

The image of Santa Claus installed by officials of Sierra Bullones town in the middle of the road for everyone to see —LEO UDTOHAN

SIERRA BULLONES, Bohol—The 28-foot tall object in the middle of the road wears a red suit, a white beard and black boots.

The resemblance to Santa Claus ends there, but the installation has drawn the selfie crowd to it.

A project of the municipal government, the image took seven days to build.

Carlito Tacgos, municipal electrician who had been designated head of the team that built the tall and emaciated Santa, said he and six members of his team started building the installation on Nov. 22.

They finished a week after, nine days before the town, a third-class municipality dependent on agriculture, celebrated its fiesta on Dec. 8.

The Santa faces the municipal building and had become some sort of a tourist magnet.

Tacgos said building the Santa was not an easy task. He sewed Santa’s dress and put it on the foundation of the installation made of steel.

“We have new clothes for Santa this year,” said Tagcos. He said Santa needs a change of clothes every two, or three, years because “it fades.”

The town started the Santa Claus project in 2001 during the first term of Mayor Simplicio Maestrado Jr, according to Tacgos.

He said the town didn’t put up giant lanterns, nativity scenes or Christmas trees and chose to build, instead, a Santa Claus image.

Lanterns, trees and nativity scenes “are common,” said Tagcos.

The tall Santa has become the town’s center of attention, drawing people who take pictures with the Santa in the background.

Children had turned the Santa installation into a playground, too. They climb on its boots. At night, a spotlight brightens it.

Tagcos said the town’s Santa Claus is the tallest and biggest in the province.

“Other towns have Santa Clauses, but here our Santa Claus is gigantic,” said Tagcos.

It would be hard to miss the town’s holiday display as it had been built right along the national highway.

Tagcos said the position of the Santa Claus installation, facing the town hall, reflects the local government unit’s concern for the people.

“Just like Santa, the local leaders here are for the people,” said Tagcos.