Santas find new home in Mandaue

Tradition has it that Santa Claus lives in the North Pole, but it seems barangay Subangdaku in Mandaue City is also the home of not just one but three Santas.

Along Logarta Avenue, Santa Claus is sitting comfortably on a sleigh of painted carton boards pulled by reindeer made of burlap bags. Sheltered under a tree, he holds on to gift-wrapped packages as if ready to give them to passersby.

Sitio Upper Malibu in barangay Centro put their Santa Claus along the highway. Instead of gifts, the eight-foot-tall Santa carries a garbage bag.

“This Christmas, Santa wants us to keep our place clean from all garbage,” says Dodo Redoble, a resident.

Sitios Fatima, Riverside A and B preferred a moving and talking Santa.

They got purok presidents to dress up in boots, fake beards and red Santa costumes.

They take turns sitting on a chair-turned-carriage with a large reindeer made of strips of plastic wrappers.

FEMALE SANTA

To make it more unique, they put a female Santa to greet people from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Annie Contratista stuffs her costume with a pillow to form Santa’s belly. She also has to modulate her voice to sound manly and loud every time she belts out the famous “ho-ho-ho.”

“I’m getting hoarse from having to shout greetings for the past days, but it’s all worth it,” she said.

Contratista said that the idea of having a live Santa came up when the three sitios were making their entry for the barangay-level Christmas contest.

They wanted something that would grab the attention of the public.

Subangdaku barangay captain Ernie Manatad said the display of Santa Claus figures around the barangay was part of the community activity that includes lantern-making contests, which made use of indigenous and recycled materials.

These activities are in support of Mandaue City’s yearly street lighting project.

“We want something that can make people feel the spirit of Christmas more. The least we can do is to greet them a Merry Christmas every time they pass by. We also give out candies to children,” Contratista said.

She was also encouraged after the she learned that the group planned to spend the prize money if they win for a Christmas party for children in the three sitios.

Contratista said it was an honor for her to play the role of Santa and made her feel like a kid again.

She said that she grew up believing in Santa Claus.

The judging of the 12 entries for Christmas symbols and 11 parol lanterns was already done but the winners will be announced during an award ceremony on Dec.19.