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(The Casa Santa Museum’s First Full page feature in the Philippine Star back in 2004!
IMAGINE ALL THE HO-HO-HO’s RINGING THROUH THE HOUSE AS 1,422 –count ‘em!—representations of jolly old Saint Nick occupy every nook, cranny and crevice of this half-century-old house in the leafy confines of Antipolo.
The owner of the collection has been picking up Santa figures during her travels over the past decade, scouring boutiques, department stores, curio and antique shops here and abroad for unusual depictions of Santa and other symbols of Christmas.
It will take a visitor a whole day and long into the night to look at and appreciate each of the figures, and it’s a fascinating encounter if you have the vivacious owner annotation as you go along. Many of the figures are interactive; press a button or give it a push and Santa bursts into song or starts dancing, or the sleight starts moving and the reindeer gallop.
The smallest figures are set of six frolicking Santas that are less than a centimeter high; the largest are a rotund life-size Santa climbing a ladder and another in a life size sleigh loaded with gifts, which our model gamely climbed aboard. There is a set of matryoshka Santas as well as a Swarovski crystal Santa in his sleigh.
A piece of fern bark from Baguio has been painted with Santa faces on its many nodes by Aleli Vengua, who also designed the entire Santa display. A sleeping Santa lying in an antique French crib actually snores; Mrs. Claus is quieter in her repose nearby. Another sleeping Santa in the same bedroom lies in an old four-poster bed, with more Santa watching over him. Both are, of course, covered with Santa blankets. On the stairs leading to the second floor, Santa careens on in a game of chess—on a set with Santa’s representing the different chess pieces, of course. The tall flower of an agave plant is used as a Christmas tree to display a collection of interesting ornaments, like Harley Davidson motorcycles.
The Santa house used to be the owner’s family vacation house. Built almost 50 years ago, it was recently remodeled by architect Rosario Encarnacion-Tan.
And that’s it, we are down to the last two months of 2020! Who here is especially excited to come celebrate the holidays with their friends? Not just yet! We still need to be wary about choosing where to go. It can make or break our holiday memory!
With that, we’ve round up 4 safe and fun outdoor activities that you can choose from to make that special celebration of yours memory-worthy! Of course, without sacrificing everyone’s safety!
We now know that the best bet in dining out is choosing an open-air ventilation space. It’s hard to be cooped up in an enclosed space. You can’t guarantee that the other table seating next to yours is perfectly healthy and safe. Enter: Dining Al Fresco. Why not enjoy some sun and natural air while savoring your favorite meal?
Now, this one does not include being in contact with other people! It’s just you, your friends and the art! It’s all about minimizing contact and maximizing experience nowadays! How about spend an afternoon enriching your mind in a museum?
Drive-in movies are a thing of the past but hey, it’s making a comeback this 2020! Ready to share that big screen with your friends in the comforts of your car?
Whether it’s going mountain-hiking or taking a stroll in your favorite park, you are sure to appreciate nature now more than ever. Imagine being holed up inside our houses for 8 months only seeing 4 walls? Quite nerve-wracking, isn’t it? It’s time to go out with your family, breathe that fresh air and appreciate the flora near you. Who knows? You might have an instant botany lesson for the day!
Ready to plan your get-togethers with friends and family? Why not try celebrating your birthday, anniversary, and family gatherings with our CHRISTMAS INTIMATE PACKAGE?
For only Php 675/ head or just Php 4,000 for a group of 6, you get to enjoy a Casa Santa Museum visit, food service by Café Leona and bento boxes for the group that can be enjoyed in an outdoor setting! We don’t know about you but it ticks our boxes for a safe, fun and enriching gathering!