Christmas is a time of prayers, dreams and wishes, of children waiting for a gift from their parents and for an appearance by Santa Claus. But about 150 poor children on Smoky Mountain in Manila have a special Santa to wait for.
Giorgio Matera, an Italian businessman based in Tokyo, decided several years ago to embark on a mission to help children in that desolate place.
Matera, 45, comes from Monopoli, a small village in Apulia, southern Italy. After coming to Tokyo 21 years ago, he now runs seven restaurants in Manila and a restaurant and catering company in Tokyo.