Santa, known for decades for his gift-giving and his wishing good tidings to everyone, arrived in the Philippines from Helsinki, Finland via Lufthansa Airlines Flight LH-744 that touched down at 7:18 p.m. Tuesday without any sign of any reindeer.
"Happy to be here!" the man told his fans who eagerly waited for him for hours, and some even days, to arrive in the country, which he visits every year to comfort every child and adult during Yuletide.
Two children — seven-year-old Francis Silva Rosario, grandson of dzMM correspondent Zeny Silva, and five-year-old Nathan Segarra, grandson of a tabloid correspondent, hugged Santa upon his arrival.
Asked where were his reindeer — Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and red-nosed Rudolf — Santa sadly told them, "Rudolf got flu and was unable to come over here now... But only the reindeer get sick."
Santa was met at the airport by Finland embassy representative, Tarja Suomi, airport employees, the media, and even children who were allowed to enter highly secured areas.
Ikka Juhani Ketola, alias Santa, is a full blooded Finn, born Sept. 26, 1955 and residing in Kastell, Siikajoki, Finland. His flight flew in from Helsinki airport with a stopover in Bangkok, Thailand and to Manila for the 11-day Third World Bazaar Festival slated Dec. 4 to 14 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
Children would be able to whisper their fervent wishes right into Santa’s ear, sit on his lap and have their photos taken with him at the bazaar, which is organized by Worldbex Services International.
There will be lots of kiddie activities and wonderful goodies in store for everyone, organizers said. The bazaar is for the benefit of ABS-CBN’s Bantay Bata 163.
During an interview at the NAIA VIP room, Santa expressed hope that worldwide peace would eventually be achieved.
"Well, there are so many big people taking care of wars and peace negotiations, etc., etc. But Santa’s message to the world is that, as you know, the whole Christmas season is for the family and peace. So that is what we like to see all around the world. Peace. That’s the message," Santa told a press conference.
Joking that his famous "Ho! Ho! Ho!" would come later, Santa expressed sadness over the world’s hostilities.
He said that Santa has for decades been visiting countries including the Philippines to bring comfort to people, as well as gifts for children.
When asked where exactly the gifts are, he said, "You know that when you wish enough, it will happen. That’s for sure."
He said by the time he has to go back to Finland, he hopes he would have earned enough good friends here to bring worthwhile memories to his home country.
"There are so many things you can bring but the best thing is to bring good friends. To earn good friends here and bring the relationship to Finland. That’s enough," he said.
Santa said that every year, he visits the Philippines and for this year, he will be staying most of the time at the WorldBex Fair.
"I will be available everyday. I think we have (some visits to) urban housings and small children’s hospital, etc., too," he added.