Why Won't Santa Visit Poor Children?

A Christmas story from the Philippines by Roy Thomsitt

 

 

 

Tina's Live TV Concert and a Christmas Eve Firework Climax

As the time for the start of the live broadcast neared, a buzz of excitement spread amongst everyone in the garden. Strangely, Di was excited not for the fact that she was to appear on television, and would be interviewed live about Santa Claus and the chimney, but because of the opportunity Tina was being given to display her talents.

They now knew that Tina would sing three songs, but that would be after the presenter had introduced the country to Di in person, her famous house and chimney, and Di's Ma and Papa.

The lights on the stage were now dazzlingly bright, and this was adding to the sense of drama and anticipation.

"Three minutes," Di heard the presenter say, and then the lady summoned Di and her parents towards the stage. She too was getting very excited. She had covered many events, but she was somehow caught up in the magic of this Estrella Christmas Eve.

For the first time Di felt a little bit nervous, but she spotted the friendly macaque sticking his tongue out at her, and that distracted from her nerves. Her parents were probably the more nervous, thrust from their television free life of a short time ago to a little stage in their own now famous garden, about to appear before the nation. Maybe 20 million people would be watching, as news had spread fast about the broadcast.

Di kept looking at Tina. She was so radiant and beautiful, she knew the country would love her. Di just wanted the interview to hurry along, so that Tina was given the stage all to herself.

With 30 seconds to go before the start of the broadcast, the presenter, Di and her parents got up onto the stage. The garden hushed again.

Next: Santa Claus Story (cont)