DAVID BRUNS never thought he would wind up donning the Santa Claus suit halfway around the world in a tropical setting. But, hey, who needs snow to make children’s dreams come true?!
Hailing from Avoca, a small town in Murray County, Minnesota, in the United States, David was living on a disability benefit for clinical depression and occasional work as a KFC part-time cook.
He comes from a blue-collar family, and worked on the family farm, as well, while going to college to earn a degree in engineering—a goal that suffered a setback due to financial difficulties.
Life changes
In January 2012, after an exploratory trip he made in late 2011, he and his Filipina girlfriend, who was just ending a job contract abroad, decided on moving to the Philippines with the initial plan of opening up a resort and restaurant in Palawan.
However, fate dictated otherwise. He had moved into an apartment in Makati City, right across the area where Walang Hanggan, a local soap opera, was being shot, when a talent scout asked for his number as he wandered around to take a look at the set.
In no time, she started calling him to appear as an extra in local television shows, a new path unexpectedly opened up with great potential for him.
Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 300 pounds, it was just natural for David to dress up as Santa Claus as soon as he entered the local showbiz market.
It was a role that requires no dieting and no fitness regimen to prepare for. As a matter of fact, with his physical attributes, David does have a definite edge over the competition.
“Do not insult me!” he jokingly tells people, when they offer him a pillow to stick under his Santa suit, this being the one role that makes him feel good about his size.
A Christmas breakthrough
Last year he was cast as the LBC Santa Claus for television commercials. It was a breakthrough that encouraged him to set out on his own.
This year David resolved to take matters into his own hands, as he decided to forgo his talent manager. It was a decision that paid off handsomely.
He invested in high-quality red velvet Santa Claus suit complete with an overcoat. To date, he has a return of investment seven times over.
This Christmas season, David was not only hired to reprise his role for LBC, but was also cast as the official Bonifacio Global City Santa Claus for the meet-and-greet events on Bonifacio High Street.
This is the one country where Santa Claus gets busy as early as September, and requests came pouring in for private parties and events, giving him the luxury to choose as he saw fit.
Santa’s rewards
As much as David misses his hometown back in the US, he knows that his career here is on the upswing, having had the opportunity to star in several movies, including the multiawarded independent movie Of Saints and Sinners, directed by Ruben Maria Soriquez.
He set out to be the best Santa Claus in the Philippines, making sure he brings the magic of the Christmas season every time he dons the red suit. After all, he has seen how Santa Claus becomes a unifying symbol that transcends religions and cultures, as well as economic status.
Accepting engagements in various areas, he sees the contrasts that Metro Manila offers. But there is a common thread when the eyes of children light up with excitement—this is when he truly feels like a rock star!
David also relates how he is able to positively affect adults, as well. Case in point was that after an event where he appeared as Santa Claus, a lady embraced long-shunned painful memories associated with her late father after seeing him interact and connect with children.
He also gives back when he volunteers his Santa Claus services at the Bahay Aruga Center in the Pediatric Cancer Hospital in Manila. It is a haven for underprivileged children from various provinces seeking cancer treatment, kids who have never seen Santa Claus before.
Gratitude
David is truly grateful for the opportunities afforded to him in the Philippines.
He could never imagine in his wildest dreams carving himself a place in the local movie industry, and playing Santa Claus is the role that he deems most rewarding, as he found true happiness in achieving a sense of purpose that gets reinforced a hundredfold during the extended Philippine Christmas season.
He does not see himself moving back to the US anytime soon, unless it is for a short vacation to visit his folks. After all, he started his own family and lives in his humble abode far from the madding crowd caring for his loved ones in a more suburban setting.
David also believes that whatever he does for work, if he does it with pride, success will soon follow.
Being Santa Claus is the role he will continue to cherish the most, as he will physically and emotionally get better at it with age, unlike other roles. Like a fine vintage wine that only improves with age.
Image credits: Jimbo Albano