My feature story featured:

 

This was posted on the net by Carlo Ang, a prominent and regularly featured blogger in Friendster, the leading social networking site in the Philippines.

I was quite honored not only for the feature, but also from receiving hundreds of comments from all over the world, apparently, my article evoked memories of childhood and the poignancy of Christmas from different people of different races.

 

As taken verbatim from Carlo Ang's blog:

This article was written by a dear friend of mine, Wella Maria S. Hong. Wella is such a good writer and, admittedly, she's five times a better writer than I can ever hope to be. This article was published in The Philippine Daily Inquirer's "Youngblood" section, which is a throne room of sorts for young aspiring writers. This article was superb enough to make it to the December 24, 2005 edition, topping probably thousands of other Christmas-related articles. If you loved mine, you'll definitely love hers...

 

 

Santa

~***~

 

MY BROTHER found out today that Santa isn't for real. And now, when he knows far-out wishes can't be fulfilled, a real Santa tops his Christmas wish list.

 

The day of discovery started innocently enough. We were having our usual Sunday family dinner with the TV on for our favorite family show, a weekly talk show. In that particular segment, the show featured kids and Christmas and a priest was one of the guests. In the course of the show, the well-meaning priest blurted out on national TV that "Santa is no other than mommy and daddy."

 

What a national catastrophe that was. Since the show is being endorsed by the Department of Education, I'm sure a lot of kids' bubbles burst when the good father spread the news to the entire nation. My 10-year-old brother immediately picked up the message. After all, he was already quite disappointed with the bearded, jolly character who goes down the chimneys and rides a sleigh pulled by reindeer. Every year he had sent long lists to dear ol' Santa Claus, asking for hi-tech toy cars and toy jets. Instead, Santa always sent him chocolate bars and candies of all kinds. My brother reasoned that if Santa really existed and if he was so all-knowing as to be able to tell the good boys from the rotten ones, he should have known when a kid stopped being a kid and didn't want more chocolate bars and candies. In school, some of his classmates even said that Santa was really their aunties or uncles in disguise. Others said they really didn't get anything from Santa. At his tender age, my brother was greatly confused.

 

Thanks to the priest's public revelation, my brother officially became "grown-up." But instead of being more confused, my brother is mad at him. To his young mind, father just ruined Christmas for him and he was very vocal about it. To him, that priest on TV didn't know how to handle delicate matters. At the very least, my bother thinks he can no longer look forward to getting candy bars instead of cars with remote controls on Christmas. He would have been willing to half-suspect that Santa was just a big joke, for as long and he could get his annual supply of candies for being a good boy.

On the other hand, my brother's discovery came as a relief to my parents. It meant they don't have to play anymore the expensive role of Santa despite their meager income. They don't have to sustain a sugarcoated lie, which is still a lie anyway. They don't have to outwardly be amused while inwardly cringing over every Christmas list tucked into Christmas socks, which seem to grow longer over the years. A little smile was playing on Mom's lips when she hugged and congratulated my brother for being a kid no more.

 

An hour after the fateful TV show and our dinner, I found my brother back in the kitchen. He was still not over it and nursing his grudge. As he washed the dishes (it was his turn to do so), he was still muttering angrily about that priest on TV. Trying to console him, I said there was a real Santa, and that I was not referring to some dead saint. I feel obliged to explain the difference between what exists and what we believe to exist and everything in between. It's something I can easily relate to since I can get delusional about Santa, the "manananggal" [a half-bodied ghoul], the tooth fairy, and, frequently, God. When I told my little brother that there really are many Santas all over the world, his eyes brimmed with hope. I told him these Santas are even better for they give away something more than the gift that he usually receives-something that doesn't die or get busted or consumed. "You mean to say he gives away cell phones?" he eagerly inquired.

 

Taken aback, I said no a little too loud through gritted teeth. I told him that there are gifts that "really matter most." But as I was developing this spontaneous thesis, I had to give up midway through the effort, for I realized that love may still be a little too complicated for a 10-year-old to comprehend. Besides I had just lost in that department.

 

When he gave me a skeptical look, I asked myself if it's really a good idea to perpetuate the myth of Santa. But even as I write, I realize that maybe there is, just as there's always wisdom in innocent children. My mom said that Santa somehow makes my brother feel good. To him, it is especially comforting to know that somebody from outside the family loves him enough to check out whether he has been good and to give him gifts regularly. Santa motivates my brother to be good. A little of Santa would do no harm to anyone, she concluded.

 

My little brother is growing up. He used to be always mistaken for my son. Now, that mistake rarely happens because he has ballooned and has a bigger waistline than mine even if he is barely half my age. Still to me, he's always been a little kid. He gave me my first taste of what it is like to have a baby. He has made me realize how strong my motherly instincts are. I am reaching the stage of my life when marriage becomes a perennial anxiety, and I have begun to consider how Santa would play a role in my future kids' lives. Reality seems much sweeter if sprinkled with a little fantasy. The disappointment of a 10-year-old will soon be forgotten, but not the joy of discovering candy-filled socks during one's tender years. And the remembrance of that joy is strong enough to make even me reconsider Santa once more.

 

Maybe we all need a little of Santa in our lives, if only to remind us that someone's watching over us and that no matter how badly our lives have turned out, we're still worth the travel from the north pole and the slide down the dirty chimney. Now on my brother's first Christmas without the blissful ignorance of believing in Santa, I'll make sure he will not miss him. I will make Santa for him. As Christmas approaches, may we all find our own Santas. More importantly, may we be Santas to the people who need him most.

 

wellamaria0059

 

Archived here too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

 

When I was at my tender years i also believed bout the existence of Santa Claus. Year after year i would earnestly wait for his sleigh loaded with presents and toys galore. It was a faith so strong, so compelling. But only to my dismay, i realized and proved his non existence. It was a down casting realization, i felt toyed to succumb to this belief. Santa Claus is as good as an air castle. The man in a red suit was just a big fat lie. Like all broken hearts it has to heal, time and truth has been a dear friend to me.We all have to be reminded, everyone including those little tots that Christmas is the Day that we remember and celebrate the Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, the begotten Son of our God the Father, needless to say santa is out of the picture, get the picture?. Every parents should embed into the minds of their little ones the truth about Santa. Christmas is celebrated just once in every year, and this believers of Santa, those kids invest so much faith and hope that are just meant to be broken. It would be like a sudden death in a face off round in a game show, crash and burn this is what they'll end up. May be just may be this is the culprit why adults bowed arrows of promises with a broken end. As a Chriastian (a true believer and follower of Christ Jesus) it is our responsiblity to tell the right things to

our little ones. Young kids may appear unconcerned bout their surroundings unlike us adults, but in this stage is the most crucial part of growing. They are building their foundation, and we play a role so important, that would either go for them or go against them. Our parents made unrevokable mistakes, and now that is our part to make a change. At the very last lets give our best shot. Let us set things straight. Telling this truth to this kids would not defile their innocence and definitely would not tramp on their imaginations, infact to establish them at the young

age is definitely a good start.Have a merry Christmas Ho ho ho..im sori i mean He he he.bye

Posted by: john | December 24, 2006 05:15 PM

 

Yah, i remembered putting socks secretly on the window of my room...santa did not come. my door was locked!!! how could my Santa (read: parents) get in?

Posted by: Felmar Fiel | December 25, 2006 06:54 PM

 

 

hi! I like all ur article. All r interesting! MeRRY CHRISTMAS!

Posted by: letty | December 25, 2006 06:57 PM

 

nice!!!huh!i remember when i was a kid to believing that every christmas he'll be giving lots of gift when you had to be behaving very well.hahaha!i even hanged a christmas stockings on our window just to have those presents you had wished for.but i was so dismayed when i overheared that santa was not for real.but anyways,it's good that every1 is there who had cared to give me presents to be my real santa.but the good is that is one what makes kid behaved believing them that was for real.c",) belated merry xmas!!!

Posted by: islands goddess | December 25, 2006 07:40 PM

 

I think at all of us, one way or another, hope for Santa to be real. It's comforting to think that peopel actually care, and that goodness is somehow rewarded. The only difference between children and so called adults are that boys and girs are not afraid to express their hopes and dreams.

Posted by: dins | December 26, 2006 04:07 AM

 

i dont remember...my parents teach us about sta. claus...if there is santa claus.. or maybe they did not know also who is sta. claus hehehehe as i remember if month of december that is the birthday of jesus christ....only my parents, nina/ong, who give candies, dress etc. cgro.. our parents stands as sta. claus, tama na nman our priest. kung maging parents na rin tayo in the near future =), itama na lang natin, yung makatotohan na wala walang sta. claus, kundi ang ating parents..

Posted by: nanC | December 27, 2006 12:38 AM

 

I remember the day when I found out Santa isn't real. It was the day when I saw mommy slapping Santa Claus. Poor Dad!

Posted by: Davis | December 27, 2006 11:27 AM

 

hahaha... my mum plays out santa... to the last bit. i guess its fun to believe in something so utterly ridiculous. my brothers eleven... he asked for an ipod this year damnit... my mum gave him a 512mb mp3 player. i told her to tell him "Santa lost his apple stock" hahaha... guess were the ones having fun trying to make Santa exist for them... hehehe

Posted by: Mono | December 27, 2006 05:56 PM

 

i like it is a very interesting story. i hope your friend ill not stop on writing

Posted by: francis | December 27, 2006 06:36 PM

 

your such a good ate. it inspires me. keep it up girl!

Posted by: Jacqueline | December 27, 2006 07:13 PM

 

Im a believer of santa until my 6th grade came that i found out who santa was. I regret having caught santa putting my gift in this special sock. Mama and papa does the santa work but i loveit.

Posted by: Buyoy | December 27, 2006 08:33 PM

 

what a great story.i hope i can write some too...

Posted by: izza | December 28, 2006 01:24 AM

 

intrsting story..ayt??i hope to read more of ur friend'z bolgs...meri CHRISTmas...

Posted by: Eden Grace | December 28, 2006 08:06 AM

 

true! nice article... keep on writing... merry x'mas...

Posted by: pAuLiNe | December 28, 2006 09:05 AM

 

What a magnet Blogger!!! keep up the goodwork...pooff

Posted by: Uchiha Rean | December 29, 2006 04:09 AM

 

i remember when i was at a very young age, i do believed that santa really exists; but there was an instance that i saw my grandma and mom putting candies and chocolate bars with money of course on that candid white socks...but that incident never disappointed me, maybe because i was just broad minded enough to accept the fact that it's time for me to grow and stop making an illusion that santa really exists...but it's true that there are really a lot of santas in this world but not to give expensive gadgets or remote control cars and even cellphones...a real santa is within a persons heart... a person who humbly cares to somebody specially for the less fortunate, who can give something without expecting something in return...and this real santa is always been guided by the most generous being in this world, who even gave his son to save us from our sins...GOD...

Posted by: FiDa | December 29, 2006 12:43 PM

 

woooot! jail the priest.. nyahahha.... HE KILLED SANTA.. BAD BAD BAD!!! ehhehe..

Posted by: Samir | December 29, 2006 03:57 PM

 

I have never believed in that guy for as long as I can remember ^_^ but still its a good article..

Posted by: Riapsed | December 30, 2006 01:31 PM

 

Its an elegant piece. Santa is real and we have experience his presence in various ways.

Posted by: JuNviE | December 31, 2006 06:44 PM

 

Hi,im from malaysia,cant help but drop by because i like writing myself. The article is really good, tell your friend she did a splendid job!!!

Posted by: LiLyX-RoXaS | January 1, 2007 05:58 PM

 

I can't believe how ignorant I am to the world until I read this article. You see, in Malaysia it is really soooo rare for a child to believe in Santa's existance. So rare that it has almost become a myth to me that anyone could be brought up that way. I just assumed this were things you watch on TV. It must probably be the way we are brought up here. I thank you for reminding me of the innocence and joy the story of Santa may bring even if it isn't real. And how Jesus Christ is really the reason we are celebrating Christmas =) I love your posts..

Posted by: Amelia | January 2, 2007 07:38 AM

 

Now I'm thinking whether to tell my kids the truth about Santa as early as posible. What you think?

Posted by: Omar | January 3, 2007 12:38 AM

 

nice read. reminds me of my childhod.. and of reality.

Posted by: rj | January 4, 2007 01:00 AM

 

Yeah its true, may we be Santa to the people who need him most...

Posted by: -Richard- | January 4, 2007 01:10 AM

 

very well written, specially that of Wella. Touching. Real. Good job!

Posted by:

bOnEs | January 4, 2007 06:04 AM

 

As i can barely recall the happy moments of my childhood memories,i am so excited to wake up every christmas to see what inside my sacks full of gifts given by "Santa" and now that im grown up,

i still love to cherish the memories i had when i was a kid..It brings me to life..

Posted by: myleen | January 4, 2007 11:18 PM

 

we'll, historically speaking, that "santa" thing actually rooted from a real

person ...but it does not matter anymore! let us just accept the fact that such Santa thing is one of which that make X'mas as the most wonderful time of the year! i bet... most of us, for once, we believed in Santa Claus, especially during childhood!

Posted by: Emil | January 6, 2007 12:04 AM

 

this letter gives me morefully interrest...while im reading on it and trying to relay myself on it part of my crafted-brain made me noticed and realized that this letter have a message to endure and enhance once thoughts...every individual children have their own selflessly-wishes and hoping that Santa is Coming to town...thank you for the message that you posted on this

site...this is waxx's sister and my brother shown me this article tenx to him now i know that Santa itself is not real...but the real Santa is the person gives you love and spreading love in every once life..

Posted by: Waxx | January 7, 2007 05:44 AM

 

what is important is the santa in us :) chers

Posted by: Missy Bubble | January 7, 2007 06:25 AM

 

a lie, regardless how nice or useful, is lie just the same. Life would have a lot simpler, perhaps even better, if lies, myths and all sorts fiction were not used to REPLACE facts.

Posted by: Explorer | January 8, 2007 06:09 PM

 

woooot!! yeah very nice.. well santa is true.. but he has an expiration.. nyahaha.. when we start askin, when we develop our curiosity, when we stop believin.. he just disappear.. its like a MAGIC.. we believe even if we know that its impossible for those tricks to happen,, its like FAITH.. like believin in our lord.. so even if we know that santa is just someone close to us.. its

believin that matters.. beside. i still want a present next christmas.. nyahahha..!!!

Posted by: Samir | January 9, 2007 01:18 AM

Date: Tuesday, 9 January, 2007 12:14 AM

 

Subject: Hello!

Message: I have read a blog of a friend of yours which featured your christmas article about Santa. Just want you to know that you made my lonlely monday night a time of reflection even

though christmas time is over. Well, I have believed that true christmas is in our hearts and we can experience it everyday as much as we want to. And people like you makes a better sense of

anything that we have in this life.

Thanks!

Syl

 

Date: Saturday, 6 January, 2007 3:20 PM

Subject: Santa

Message: Hello Wella,

I read your article about santa. and i fount it's very interesting.

I can see that you are very kind at heart.

Keep on writing. Hope someday you'll gonna be a famous writer :)

ram

 

 

Date: Wednesday, 3 January, 2007 3:40 PM

Subject: great!

Message: the profundity of ur article widen the myopic understanding of our dearly christians bro and sis into a vast reality of christmas. congratulation...

 

 

Date: Tuesday, 2 January, 2007 5:47 PM

Subject: can i be your friend?

Message: hi my name is Ade. I saw one of your article in carlos' blog. I don't know both of you. But I have to say that I like your writing since I am eager to become a writer. Thanks

 

 

Date: Monday, 1 January, 2007 8:30 PM

Subject: hey..i loved your article.. hope youd read this

Message: hey.. i just read your article a friend of yours published in his blog.. i just want you to know that i loved it.. so much..As a child, i didn't believe in santa..of course like all little children, i once believed Santa really exists and yes.. hoped to receive gifts from that jolly old man. But with a great mind like mine (lol), i was exposed to the painful reality that he really doesn't exist at all.. at an early age (7 years old).. From then on, i hated children who believe that Santa is real.. I thought they're stupid living in their stupid fantasy world.. Maybe i was just like that guest priest..

I felt sorry for your brother when that priest burst his bubble...

I realized that Santa isn't just for kids.. He's for us grownups too. I don't mean the gifts and all.. but to realize that like what you said, it's for us grownups to realize that we should be

santas to the ones who needs a "Santa Claus"...

Hey.. you're really great... Thanks..

Belated Merry Christmas.. Happy New YEar.. Ü

Tessa

 

 

Date: Wednesday, 27 December, 2006 1:11 AM

Subject: article

Message: Hello Wella,

you don't know me, nor, I, you... I'm just writing to say that I very much enjoyed the article you wrote about your brothers abrupt discovery regarding Santa's (apparent) (in)existence (because we can't all be too sure, now, can we?).

 

I just wanted to thank you for writing the article :) It mightn't have changed the world (yet, because you never know) but it's definately touched lives... :)

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