By Izah Morales
DRESSED in red hat, pants and suit, the old stout man seated on a chair greeted children at the Glorietta mall with his signature laugh, “Ho!Ho!Ho! Merry Christmas!”
Yes, Santa Claus has come to town to meet and greet kids. But children should not be mistaken. The man behind this familiar costume during the holidays is Francisco Da Silva, just one of many Santa Clauses who dressed up during the yuletide season.
Da Silva, a 76-year-old Filipino-Portuguese, has been dressing up as Santa Claus for six years. He said he has seen a lot of Santa Clauses yet they weren’t fit for the character.
“If you are to be a Santa Claus, you must have charisma with children. Santa is a lover of Children. That’s why I love to be Santa Claus,” said Da Silva.
During his childhood, Da Silva admitted that he wished Santa Claus to see his siblings again so they could celebrate Christmas together. Da Silva lost two of his brothers.
Da Silva’s wish this coming Christmas is for his family and 10 grandchildren to spend the holidays together.
Da Silva, a 76-year-old Filipino-Portuguese, has been dressing up as Santa Claus for six years. He said he has seen a lot of Santa Clauses yet they weren’t fit for the character.
“If you are to be a Santa Claus, you must have charisma with children. Santa is a lover of Children. That’s why I love to be Santa Claus,” said Da Silva.
During his childhood, Da Silva admitted that he wished Santa Claus to see his siblings again so they could celebrate Christmas together. Da Silva lost two of his brothers.
Da Silva’s wish this coming Christmas is for his family and 10 grandchildren to spend the holidays together.
