One can easily identify the lighted decorations on the roof of Dr. Rico Absin's mansion in Barangay Piapi, Dumaguete City. They are unmistakably Santa's reindeer -- Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Donder, Blitzen, Cupid and Comet.

These decorations, along with thousands of other bright and dazzling colored lights and Christmas trees, fill Absin's house every yuletide season.

The lighting up of Absin's house at this time of the year has become an institution for Dumagueteños, who come with friends and family from other parts of the world to look at "Dumaguete's Christmas House."

This year, however, Absin has added a new theme for his Christmas decorations to coincide with this institution's "debut."

"It's the 18th year of our Christmas decorations so we're now paying tribute to six Disney princesses: Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Jasmine, Belle, Snow White, and Ariel," Absin enthused.

Absin, an anesthesiologist in his 50s, lives alone in this house which he inherited from his parents. With his friend Aquino Garcia, the former dean of the La Salle College of Arts and Letters, he plans different themes every year to the delight of the young and old children who flock to his home.

Although not a very secretive person, Absin declines to reveal two things: his age and his budget for his yearly decorations.

"It gives me great satisfaction to see all the happy people who come to my place. I feel good knowing I bring joy to the children and the people of Dumaguete," Absin, who is also actively involved in the Dumaguete City Tourism Council, said.

Part of the yearly tradition is the giving of breakfast and gifts to some 300 children on Christmas Day. Funds for these are raised through dinner-concerts by Absin's friends.

On December 15, singers Dulce and Jonathan Badon are scheduled to hold a benefit concert for the children.

But some things do change with the times. Unlike before when people could just come inside the house unannounced and take a look at the thematic Christmas decors along with Absin's priceless antiques, silverware and toys, visitors can now come inside the gate only on six occasions during the Christmas season or they will have to watch the decorations from the fence.

"Dumaguete has seen a rise in petty crimes these past few months that I'm now afraid to just let anyone in unannounced. But people can still admire the decorations from the gate," he said.

Absin, however, is quick to add that in the past 17 years that people freely came into his house, there was not one single instance that he lost any item to thieves.

The Christmas House started its nightly display last Wednesday, in time for Dumaguete's Charter anniversary and fiesta Friday and Saturday.

November 22 was also chosen for this year's opening because actor Sam Milby was expected to grace its opening on that day but was unable to do so at the last minute.

But the Silliman University Band played Disney and Christmas tunes to add to the festive spirit that night.*AP

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