IT'S Christmas time. The old, fat man with white cottony beard in red suit is famous again. This is the time of the year that Santa Claus reigns in the heart of the kids. We like the major major character of Santa – the cheerful, generous giver. His big sack almost contain all the goodies and toys in the world for all those children who were nice throughout the year.
I am now 24 years old. I have now been exposed to many truths. One of them is Santa Claus’ identity. Did I hate Mama and Papa after I learned that they were only lying about Santa coming, just to make me sleep and keep the brownies safe from me before Noche Buena? Yes. Did I stop believing in Santa Claus after I caught my parents placing gifts in my sock? Almost. But there are two silly facts that I had embraced heartily after discovering those antics of my parents: (1) Santa Claus does not only wear an extra large sized red suit, he wears Prada too, and (2) he is not only visible during December, he is present all year round, because I met a Santa Claus last April.
By the time this article will be published (hopefully), I will be in my seventh month with the Juanito I. King Foundation, Inc., or simply JIKFI. It was a birthday and an early Christmas gift for me, because I asked God for a purposeful job. And purposeful it is.
The late Juanito I. King has left a legacy to his children and employees. I have witnessed how the company was run not only for charitable purposes, but also to live the Christian values. Perhaps, their ethos is to creatively entwine the act of giving and sharing with thanksgiving.
In many ways, JIKFI resembles Santa Claus to me. It has a busy world. Its calendar is restless with projects, organized separate activities. The simple but elegant Mass Wedding, the Blood Donation Campaign in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross – Cebu Chapter, the environmental projects through their Bakhaw Planting at Olango Island in partnership with Philippines Business for Social Progress and the collaborated awareness project with the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, Inc. – Cebu Chapter are some of its earnest ways of making others happy.
Everyone needs a helping hand, and like Santa, JIKFI has its elves. The elves are most likely Juanito King and Sons, Inc., Nito’s Auto Supply Inc., Skygo Marketing Corp. and King’s Quality Foods Inc.
If Santa Claus has a sled with Rudolf to lead, JIKFI has a Dental Mobile Van. Unlike Santa’s sled, it only travels within Cebu City with its partner, the Cebu Dental Society. It does not carry gifts but delivers free dental service to an average of 21,000 underprivileged patients annually.
JIKFI also has a scholarship program for college students. They also provide projects for children with special needs through its DREAM Project. It gives subsidies for occupational and physical therapy for indigent children.
Before the odd discoveries, I always wondered why Santa Claus did not want to be seen putting gifts underneath Christmas Trees or stockings. Now, I understand. It is the magic and beauty of modesty and humility. He generously gives without seeking recognition. That is how I know JIKFI.
In today’s age when even a four-year old child already has a Facebook account, adults should be cautious in capsulizing the kids in too much fancy and fallacy. As observed, they are born pretty smart. Truths like the spirit of Christmas is not about Santa Claus, but the child in the manger who first gave his life for us. Further, we can imbue in their brains that the grandeur of Christmas is not only in December, but that everyday is Christmas. Above all, we could be anyone’s Santa Claus in simple ways. This is enough to immortalize Jesus Christ, not the bearded fellow and Rudolf.
Have you met your Santa Claus? Sure, you have! It is only a matter of appreciation and recognition. Thank God I met one, and I hope that I’ll be meeting more soon.(The writer requested anonimity)
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