Christmas cheer at Absin's

Traffic came to a near standstill nightly along Hibbard Avenue where vehicles of all kinds inched their way to get a long close look at Dumaguete's yearly Christmas wonderland.

For nineteen years, Dumaguete's social giant, well loved Dr. Rico Absin, an anesthesiologist who puts his patients to sleep with such grace, has donned his manor in all things Christmas, and this year he has outdone himself. When asked why he goes through so much painstaking time to dress up all corners of his home with Yuletide décor, the good doctor very modestly retorts: “I do this in honor of my mother and I also believe in fairy tales, Christmas and Santa Claus.” Touché!

Dumaguete's most prized landmark during the holiday season, the “Absin Christmas House” has gained so much fame that this year, major and minor TV, radio and print media flew to town to see the attraction for themselves. Korina Sanchez and her Rated K did their season special there. Well, all that was featured is true! The manicured garden looks like a mini transported Disneyland , with a carousel, Snow White's cottage, Cinderella's Prince Charming palace and the Sleeping Beauty's castle, Frosty the Snowman, and a pine forest replica done with perfection.

There is a mini-hamlet straight out of the pages of Charles Dickens's “A Christmas Carol”, an illuminated flying Santa and reindeers and much more season dazzlers. The interiors are “way beyond description” and no amount of ingenious adjectives can do it justice. “There were more twinklers that there are in the heavens!” Every room had a theme and a Christmas color to match; it was certainly a Christmas wonderland!

Doc's home was the scene of many parties, since he likes to entertain people of all walks of life. This year “moi” attended his dinner in honor of the social sisters of St. Paul, (his “alma mater”), the fun party for visiting stars, Rodjun Cruz, Erik Santos (he came to town for the Mart One midnight sale and entertain the frantic shoppers), and the Kapamilya star attraction during the Buglasan Festival, Matt Evans.

The most heart-warming event was Doc's annual Christmas breakfast for three hundred or so underprivileged children where they get their first taste of McDonalds, and each receive a toy and get a chance to experience the joys of the Holidays. I lacked the energy to grace his other nightly dinners. “Oy vhey!”

The good doctor is so blessed because of his many philanthropic causes and loves to share his Christmas feel with all those who need it. Doc Rico is really one of a kind, a man with a golden heart!........Hope your Christmas was filled with cheer and goodwill………Nous!*