Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2: Bringing Joy this Christmas Season to the Students of Lupang Pangako Elementary School
When In Manila, there are many ways to spread some cheer this Christmas to other people in the metro; one of which is making time from our busy schedules to join charitable events where we can share the blessings we receive to our community.
Last December 14, I went to Lupang Pangako Elementary School for Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2. I was hesitating a lot about going to Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2 because I haven’t been to Payatas before. While I was riding the bus in going to Litex, I was thinking “Is it still far away?” I kept bugging the conductor because I might get lost. Well, it was farther than I thought. I even got lost but with the help of the friendly residents around the Payatas area, I managed to find my way to the Lupang Pangako Elementary School.
The program had started when I arrived at Lupang Pangako Elementary School. I saw that the venue was filled with approximately 100 students from Kinder 1 up to Grade 6 from different classes. They were with their teachers, school administrators, and some sponsors who attended the event.
Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2
When I arrived, I was greeted by Ms. Shirley, the Project Coordinator of Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2. She was very accommodating when I was talking with her online on how to get there and what to expect and what to bring.
Intermission number by students at the Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2
What I happened to catch first were intermission numbers by the students. First up were Grade 6 students who did a dance number. After the intermission number, the kids were treated to a late lunch of one piece chicken rice meal with juice. Their happy faces showed that they loved the food. Some were even sharing their food with their seatmates.
Late lunch for the kids at Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2
Hmmmmm… Chickenjoy!
Before proceeding to the gift giving at Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2, the kids were up for some games. The teachers joined too!
Super game kids at Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2
The kids were really active at the Bring Me game. Parents who were there were handing the items called for to their children so they can get the prizes! I could tell that they enjoyed the Relay Race after. This was a game with the students and teachers. The teachers were really in it to win it! They looked like they had lots of fun.
Teacher-student relay game at Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2
Ramil Sumangil of Books For A Cause also attended the event. He did a story telling activity first before opening the boxes of books. I got to talk to him before he went out for the storytelling with the kids. He’s the founder of Books for A Cause, a non-profit organization that aims to provide precious knowledge to every Filipino and increase literacy through continuous learning by donating books to various schools and organizations. I can really tell his passion for what he does.
I thought he was just going to do storytelling with the kids sitting at their places. What he did was call them to come closer to him to make the activity more personal and engaging. The kids looked really interested with the story.
Ramil Sumangil while doing storytelling for the kids at Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2
He brought about 5 boxes of books for Lupang Pangako Elementary School’s library. The formal turnover of books was also part of the program.
Formal turnover of donated books from Books For A Cause and Rex Bookstore
More books!
Now it was time for the gift-giving. One of the organizers told me that each pack costed Php100. Most of us would think “What can we buy with Php100?” It’s hard to imagine that that amount would bring such joy to the kids that were present that day. Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2 made me see that if you want to bring happiness to other people this Christmas, there can always be ways no matter how big or small if organizations and individuals work together with the resources they have to make an event like this possible.
Spaghetti packs for the kids!
The kids were so eager to see what was inside their gift packs. Children of Santiago Apostol, Inc. (COSAI) also gave additional goodie bags for the kids with school supplies in it. The kids smiled and clapped their hands when they knew what they were getting. It was a merrier Christmas for them because of Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2.
Oooh, what’s inside the bag?
The kids were all smiles after receiving their early Christmas presents at Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2!
I also met some members of the Michael Jackson Fans Club which has chapters worldwide. What was very interesting to know was that they are not just communicating Michael Jackson to other people as a pop superstar but also in including other fields where he excelled, like painting.
Ms. Shirley with members of the Michael Jackson Fans Club
While most of the statuses and tweets I read about Christmas are about Christmas shopping, holiday vacations,and reunions with long lost friends, it was great to meet such philanthropic people who went out of their way to bring joy to the kids at Lupang Pangako Elementary School through Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2.
I just had to have a photo with these amazing people! Lupang Pangako Elementary School faculty (all in red shirts), Books For A Cause’s Ramil Sumangil (in white shirt), and myself. 🙂
So When In Manila, we can join charitable activities like Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2 to spread some holiday cheer not only to our loved ones but to our community as well!
Bigay Puso sa Pasko Year 2: Bringing Joy this Christmas Season to the Students of Lupang Pangako Elementary School
