Tabaco City’s ‘Santa House’ spreads Christmas joy, love
TABACO CITY, Albay – A family residence adorned with thousands of dazzling Christmas lights, lanterns, Santa Claus-themed and other decorations, known in the neighborhood in this city as “Santa House” has opened its doors to the public to share the joyous Christmas vibe.
Located in Purok 2, Barangay Baranghawon, Tabaco City, the house owned by Teresita Bongalon started welcoming visitors since Thursday night, after the decorations were completed last November 28.
According to “Mommy Tere,” her family started the tradition years before, but unlike before, they now have to accommodate hundreds of visitors keen on taking snapshots and selfies with the myriad of attractive Christmas decorations.
The Bongalons have since sought the assistance of barangay tanods for them to help in crowd control and security.
"Last year 100 plus yung images ng Santa Claus na naka-display sa palibot ng bahay, sa ngayon dinagdagan pa namin up to 200 plus. Hiningi na namin ang tulong ng barangay tanods para maging maayos at safe naman yung mga bumibisita dito sa aming bahay," Mommy Tere said.
"At least nakakapagbigay tayo ng saya sa kanila, at saka madama naman din nila yung spirit ng Christmas. Minsan kasi yung iba di naman nakakapag-tiyaga mag-decorate ng kanilang mga bahay, so at least makapag-bigay saya tayo sa kanila (At least we can share some joy with them and that they also get to feel the Christmas spirit. Some may not have the time to decorate their homes this Christmas, so through this, we can share the some joy),” she said.
The Bongalons, who operate a bakeshop and UV Express business, admitted that it is costly to maintain the Christnmas display, largely due to electricity bills, but she stressed that the happpiness it brings to the community and visitors is something money cannot buy.
"Last year, umabot sa 120,000 plus yung monthly bill namin sa kuryente from 1 8,000.00. Bukas ang aming bahay para sa publiko everyday from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., and lahat ng miyembro ng pamilya, pagod lahat yan bago matulog. Marinig mo lang sa mga bisita na na-appreciate nila yung aming ginawa, masayang masaya na kami (Last year, our monthly electric bill shot up to 120,000 from 18,000. Our house is open to the public from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and all family members are tired from entertaining vistors. But to see and hear them appreciate our efforts is enough reward. It makes us happy, too). If you give 10 percent of what you have, you will never have less,” she pointed out.
Mommy Tere narrated that she and her husband originally planned to put up the Christmas display to entertain their grandchildren, but later realized that it would be more fun to share the fun with the public.
"Sa December 25, we have a scheduled gift giving para sa mga bata. At least we wanted kids na pupunta dito, to be more merry ngayong Pasko," she added.