GARDEN OF SANTAS. Narvacan Mayor Luis “Chavit" Singson (in blue) leads the ceremonial opening of the “Garden of Santas” at the second floor of the municipal hall on Wednesday (Oct. 9, 2019). Vice Mayor Pablito Sanidad’s wife, Susan Sanidad, shared her 20-year-old collection of Santa Claus figures to the townspeople, among them “Sporty Santa”, “Climbing Santa”, “Tarzan Santa”, and “Lover-Boy Santa”. (Photo by Leilanie G. Adriano)
NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur – Residents who had transactions at the municipal hall of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur on Wednesday were given an early Yuletide treat – a garden filled with Santa Claus figures, set up at the hall’s second floor.
“The moment you climb up the hallway, you can already feel the Christmas spirit and we have all the reasons to be merry,” Narvacan Mayor Luis “Chavit" Singson said as he opened the “Garden of Santas”.
Singson thanked Susan Sanidad, wife of Vice Mayor Pablito Sanidad, for allowing the municipal government to showcase and share her 20-year-old collection of Santa Claus figures to the people of Ilocos Sur and its neighboring towns and provinces.
From her home in Baguio City, Sanidad’s “Garden of Santas” went down to Narvacan for the townsfolk to enjoy a different kind of celebration in time for the most wonderful time of the year, which also coincides with the celebration of the town fiesta.
At the main lounge of the two-story municipal building are a variety of Santa Claus figures, ranging from “Sporty Santa”, “Climbing Santa”, “Tarzan Santa”, to “Lover-Boy Santa”. Visitors may also admire the “Sleeping Santa” with a star and moon displayed at the stairway and doorway of the old government building.
Sanidad said she did not really intend to have a Santa collection but as years passed, her collections from travels and friends who give them to her as Christmas presents, have piled up. They now add up to more or less 500, all of which are different from one another.
“Santa is always symbolic of Christmas. It symbolizes a joyous occasion like Christmas, so I want it to be shared (with) everyone,” she said.
“We are thankful for Mrs. Sanidad’s collection. For those who are sad and weary, feel free to visit here and be happy,” Singson said.
The people of Narvacan said it was the first time for the town hall to have a Christmas makeover.
The “Garden of Santas” is open for public viewing, day and night. (PNA)
