by A singing girl in Manila asks where to send her letter, what an archipelago is, and why some Christmases last longer
A Letter to Santa from Manila, Philippines
Dear Santa,
Hello po, Santa! My name is Maria and I am 7 years old. I live in Manila, and in my country we start playing Christmas songs very, very early! I love singing and helping my mama in the kitchen. My question is: what is Santa Claus’s address? Where do I send my letter? My geography question is: what is an archipelago? And my social studies question is: why do some countries celebrate Christmas for a longer time than others? Salamat, Santa!
Love, Maria (age 7)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, hello po, Maria! I love that your beautiful Philippines begins celebrating Christmas so early, it warms my heart for months. You asked for my address, and I am happy to share it. You can write to me at Santa Claus, The North Pole, and your letter will find its way to me. Some countries even have special post offices to help. In Finland, children write to Santa Claus Village in a town called Rovaniemi, and in Canada they send letters to a cheerful postal code that spells out my favorite laugh. So write away, and I will read every word.
Your geography question: what is an archipelago
An archipelago is a group of many islands clustered together in the sea. Your own Philippines is one of the largest archipelagos in the world, made up of thousands of islands, big and small. That is why boats and ferries are such an important way for people to travel from place to place. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: why some Christmases last longer
Some countries celebrate Christmas longer because of their own special traditions. The Philippines is famous for having one of the longest Christmas seasons in the world, with carols and decorations appearing as early as September. Traditions like these come from a country’s history and faith, and they show how much the people love to celebrate together. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Keep singing those early carols, Maria. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
