Santa Claus lives here

Imagine all the ho-ho-ho’s ringing through 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 annotating 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 sleigh starts moving and the reindeer gallop.

The smallest figures are a 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 regally in an old four-poster bed, with more Santas watching over him. Both are, of course, covered with Santa blankets.

On the stairs leading to the second floor, Santa careens down the railing with his reindeer at full speed. Upstairs, Santa waits to take visitors on in a game of chess–on a set with Santas 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, avid promoter of indigenous architecture, particularly of bamboo.

The house is situated on a three-hectare property in San Jose Extension in hilly Antipolo, a quiet, genteel area except for the tricyles taking a shortcut through the road outside. Little used now by the family, the property has been converted into a garden-like venue for parties, and welcomed its first visitors this Christmas season.

Divided into different themed areas, Jardin de Miramar–as the place is called–hosts parties, receptions and other functions in its lush multi-level gardens landscaped by Tony Leaño with stately royal palms and serenity waterfalls. Hammocks strung between tall trees tempt visitors to laze an afternoon away with a good book or a nap, lulled by the soothing sounds of water and the wind rustling through the trees.

A unique feature is a 30-foot boat, reconstructed from an actual 50-year-old fishing boat used by the owner’s family in their deep sea fishing business. The Angelica was retired and some of its wood was used to build the "Noah’s Ark" in the Galera section of the garden, which also features a lighthouse, totem poles and a marine-themed metal sculpture by Ral Arogante. Dramatic lighting was done by renowned lighting designer Shoko Matsumoto, who also designed the lighting in the Santa house.

The rest of the wood from the boat Angelica was used for the trellises, benches and other accents throughout the garden.

Behind the Santa house is an area called Intramuros, a mini version of Manila’s old walled city. Featuring adobe walls with an aged look, it is reminiscent of turn-of-the-century Spanish architecture.

This season–and anytime of the year–visit Santa and all his relatives at this very special house, and put some ho-ho-ho into your life.

* * *

Casa Santa and Jardin de Miramar are open all year round. Call 817-1589 or email [email protected] for more information.