THE CLASSIC LETTER “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” written by veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church appeared in the editorial of New York Sun on September 21, 1897 and remains the most reprinted editorial. Isinulat ito ni Church bilang tugon sa sulat na ipinadala ng eight-year-old girl na si Virginia O’Hanlon. To quote an excerpt from Church’s letter, “Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy… Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see.”
Lahat tayo ay dumaan sa pagkabata at sa paniniwalang mayroong Santa Claus. Tulad ng marami, I also believed in Santa Claus when I was a kid. In this Season of Giving, I asked some stars what gifts they would ask Santa Claus if they were kids and what gifts they would give to the most important persons in their lives kung sila si Santa Claus. Here are their answers:
If you’re a kid, what Christmas gift would you ask Santa Claus? Why?
Sitti – I’d ask for a giant colorful gingerbread house with toys inside and kitchen para makapagbahay-bahayan at lutu-lutuan kami.
Direk GB Sampedro – Super powers. I always believed in super heroes. I want to fly and do extraordinary things.
Candy Pangilinan – If I can go out and play, watch the lights and I want to ride his sleigh. In other words, maybe if possible, forever be a child. Life is simplier.
Amy Perez – Walking doll kasi noong bata ako never akong naka-experience na magkaroon ng doll na kasing-tangkad ko.
Arnold Reyes – Voltes V. Bata pa lang ako dream ko nang magkaroon nu’n. Amaze ako ‘pag nag-volt in na. Whenever I see Voltes V, I remember my childhood and how fun it is to be a child.
Drew Arellano – Transformers, robots are the coolest things ever! I’d still be thrilled to be given one as a gift with my age of 30
Kung ikaw si Santa Claus, anong Christmas gift ang ibibigay mo sa taong mahal mo at sino siya? Why?
Sitti – I’m newly relationship-free. Right now, ang naiisip ko ay ‘yung mga Don Bosco Batulao scholars. I would grant all of them college scholarships para matupad na pangarap nilang makapag-aral at makapamili ng course na gusto nila.
Direk GB Sampedro – Jabby, Sofia and Gabby and Quentin – everything they need. Love, toys, good education and time. To Candy – church annulment papers and a wedding ring. To my family – time.
Candy Pangilinan – To my son Quentin – a place of slides and balls. There, he can strengthen his motor skills and enjoy as well. Kung kaya ko siyang pagalingin, gagawin ko. To my mom – good health saka mas malaking dinner table para sa mga kaibigan niya at bisita. My sister MM – papapayatin ko siya, isasama ko na rin ang sarili ko du’n. GB – a mainstream movie and good friends around him.
Amy Perez – Sa mga anak ko. Ibibigay ko lahat ang mga laruan na gusto ng mga anak ko. As a parent, you want to give your child only the best. Since ang concept ng mga bata kapag Christmas ay makatanggap ng toys, bibigyan ko sila ng mga gusto nilang toys.
Arnold Reyes – I will give my Voltes V robot to my younger brother. Favorite din kasi niya si Voltes V. Sana nga regaluhan ako ni Santa ng Voltes V para may gift na ako sa brother ko.
Drew Arellano – If I were Santa Claus, I’d give Iya money so she could stop working and be with me 24/7, naks! Pogi points na naman ako sa kanya .
Merry Christmas!
Kaibigan, usap tayo muli!
Points of Boy
by Boy Abunda
