Erik Santos INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
The older you are, the longer your Christmas list. This is according to singer-actor Erik Santos, who says he gives over a hundred gifts to relatives, friends and godchildren.
Nevertheless, Christmas is Erik’s favorite time of year, though he gets stressed “going back and forth to the mall because I’ve forgotten someone.”
Yuletide in the Santos home begins in November, shortly after Halloween. This year, Erik says, members of the group Erik Santos Friends Online helped decorate the 12-feet-tall Christmas tree in the living area of his three-story residence in Novaliches, Quezon City.
“It took five people to finish it in a day. The decorations are a mix of the family’s old materials and gifts from fans,” Erik tells Living Stars.
“I like how it turned out,” he says of his supporters’ handiwork. “My father took care of the lights and decorations in the garden and facade.” Mounting a miniature Christmas village in a corner of the living area has been assigned to Erik. “I haven’t finished it. ‘Disney’s The Little Mermaid’ is keeping me busy,” he explains.
(Erik plays Prince Eric opposite Rachelle Ann Go’s Princess Ariel in the musical’s Manila staging by Atlantis Productions. It runs until Dec. 11 at the Meralco Theater in Pasig City.)
On Christmas Eve, the Santoses hear Mass, then have noche buena at home. On the table, unfailingly, would be their favorite dishes like kare-kare, paella, fried chicken, rice cakes and pasta. The opening of gifts is done on New Year’s Eve, says the singer.
“Godchildren come around on Christmas morning so we’re busy entertaining. We even have parlor games. In the afternoon, I go out to meet some college friends. Last year,” Erik recalls, “we drove to Tagaytay.” He says he spends the remaining days of the year out of town, with friends in the biz.
“Relatives and friends meet again here (at home) on the 31st. We make our own fireworks display just outside the house. There are more people here for the New Year celebrations than for Christmas. That’s how we’ve always liked it.”
E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph.