Coleen Perez: Dad made me believe in Santa Claus

 
“My dad passed away already, so it’s just me and my mom for five years now,” Coleen Perez began.

She recalled how her father made her believe in Santa Claus -- one of the fondest memories they shared.

“I was a super believer of Santa Claus until I was like really old when I got to figure out na he’s not real,” she admitted.

“Sabi ng classmate ko, ‘Ano ka ba naman, naniniwala ka pa kay Santa?’ and I was really fighting for it with confidence. Tapos sabi ng Dad ko, ‘Seryoso ako, naniniwala ka kay Santa Claus. Eto ‘yung sulat mo oh’ and he showed me ‘yung sulat ko since the last, like I was about 7. Nandoon, kineep ko ‘yun. Moment lang na parang ‘Oh my God, naloko ako for like how many years’,” the actress said lightheartedly.

Being an only child, Coleen thought it was part of her dad’s style in raising her.

“Kasi for my dad, he did it really every year. Meron kaming good and bad list. Until the 24th, may check ‘yun. Every time I wake up, I’m gonna check if may check ba ‘yung deed na ‘yun or may ‘X’ ba. ‘Oh my God, kailangan ko magpakabait,” she continued.

Her dad also told her Santa Claus is like her lolo.

“My lolo’s name is Nicholas. And maybe Santa Claus is just parang a way of him making me remember how good my lolo is,” she shared.

Now that it’s just her and her mom, Coleen cherishes every moment with her, especially on Christmas.

“What I want for Christmas is just to spend time with her. I want to show her na I really love her even if I’m always busy and out of the house. For me, she’s the only one I count on, she’s very special to me,” she said. - Cherry Sun/Bochic Estrada, GMANetwork.com