President Benigno S. Aquino III and DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman joined the children in a simple Christmas celebration  at Malacanañg together w/ other secretaries.

For three years in a row starting in 2010, the Pasko ng Batang Pinoy, an initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been giving Christmas treats to street children, in partnership with the different Local Government Units (LGUs)in Metro Manila.  Activity centers around Metro Manila are put up every Christmas season, starting December 1, where children gather and do carolling, and other creative activities instead of going to the streets.

Pasko ng Batang Pinoy 2012

Aside from the streets decked with Christmas lanterns, blinking lights, and towering Christmas trees, one knows Christmas is just around the corner, when he or she  sees street children knocking on car windows and singing one or two phrases of the popular Christmas song, “sa may bahay ang aming bati, merry Christmas na maluwalhati..”

This is the usual scene on Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares at the start of the “ber” season. Streetchildren and even indigenous peoples trek to the Metropolis as early as September to beg, in the guise of carolling. They brave moving vehicles, the scorching heat of the sun, and even heavy downpours for a small amount of money. The risk posed on their safety and health is great, indeed, but they ignore it just the same, after all it is Christmas, they would say.

For Kenneth, 12, from Pasig City, he said that everyday since December 1, he is on the street to carol.

But for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the children doing street carolling deserve more than the generosity that Christmas brings. These children are also worthy to feel the genuine meaning of Christmas – of joyful giving and celebrating life, not on the streets but also in safe havens.

Pasko ng Batang Pinoy is just part of the bigger response of DSWD to improve the plight of some 5,086 street people of whom 3,072 are streetchildren based on a Rapid Appraisal conducted by DSWD in 2010.  A comprehensive program for street children, street families, especially Bajaus is continuously being implemented, with the objective of providing the right intervention which will take them off the streets.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said “ito ay isa lamang sa pamamaraan upang ilayo ang mga kabataan sa karahasan sa lansangan (This is just one of the interventions of government to protect the children from the dangers of street life).”

This year, Pasko ng Batang Pinoy 2012 targeted 5,000 children in 25 activity centers in Metro Manila. The children were treated to yuletide cheers with activities such as Belen and Parol Making Contests in DSWD activity centers around the Metropolis.  Singing, dancing, acting contests, fun and games are also being held until the end of December.

These children are the sons and daughters of garbage collectors who engage in street carolling and other street activities to augment the day-to-day earnings of their parents.

The project provided the children the real meaning of Christmas as they showcased their innate talents  and are given the chance to develop further these talents and their social skills.

A Simple yet Meaningful Christmas Celebration

Of the 5,000 children targeted for Pasko ng Batang Pinoy, 1,500 were invited to a Grand Christmas Party celebration on December 19, 2012 in San Andres Sports Complex in Malate and at the Malacañang Palace Grounds. The children were given gifts while their families received noche buena packs from Secretary Soliman and President Benigno S. Aquino. The remaining 3,500 children were provided the same gifts by the DSWD in their respective activity centers.

 

Through the grand celebration, the 1,500 street children were able to showcase their talents and engage in fun and games with their fellow children.  School supplies and “Noche Buena” packs were also given to the children as President Aquino’s “pamasko,” which they can share to the rest of their families.

President Aquino who had fun playing Santa Claus to the children said that “tinutulungan naming ang inyong mga magulang na magkatrabaho at arugain ang kalusugan ng inyong pamilya. Gusto naming paunlarin ang inyong kaalaman at magkaroon kayo ng maayos na hanap-buhay paglaki ninyo.” (We are helping your parents to have a source of livelihood and to take care of your family’s health. We want to expand your horizons for you to have a good life when you grow up).

Bringing the Light of Hope to Street Children

The street children also joined President Aquino in the ceremonial lighting of the Malacañang Palace Christmas tree, symbolizing hope and goodwill.

Smiles of delight can be seen on the faces of the children as they witnessed the lighting of the 43-feet Christmas tree.

Jericho Sabulao, 12, and currently in Grade 6, shares that through the project he gained much self-confidence. He was able to develop his interpersonal skills; able to express himself and interact with his fellow children.  He added, “nagpapasalamat ako dahil nakakatulong ito sa aking pamilya (I am grateful to the project as this helps my family).”

Asked what he wanted for Christmas, Jericho said, “gusto ko na maging maayos ang buhay ng pamilya namin at makapagpatayo ng bahay.  (I wish my family can have a better life and that we can build our own house someday).” It was his first time to enter Malacanang and this inspired him to dream to live in a palace, someday.

It may seem normal to other children, but learning to hope and dream again is a rekindled learning for the children who are used to street work.

 

 

Arjay Mamatas, 14, also participated in the Pasko ng Batang Pinoy.  Orphaned at a young age, Arjay stays with his grandmother who works as an in-house house helper.  He shares that he also helps in doing household chores.

Asked about his thoughts on the project, Arjay simply said, “maganda na nakakaupo at nakakakain ng maayos. (It is good to just simply sit and eat good food).”  He added, “gusto ko sana makasama ang aking kapatid na nasa DSWD ngayong Pasko.  (I am hoping my brother can join us this Christmas).  His brother was apparently apprehended by the police and brought to the DSWD due to a curfew violation.

Despite the hardships in life, Arjay continues to dream big.  He shared “ambisyon ko ay makapag-aral at makapagtrabaho para maiahon sa kahirapan ang aking pamilya. (I dream of going back to school one day, find a good job and help my family out of poverty.)”

Through the simple Paskuhan activities, street children were given the opportunity to enjoy the journey of the Christmas season and hold on to the hope for a better tomorrow. ###