Text by Jesame Rubio Moises
Photos by Jeepy Pacis Compio
CHRISTMAS is just around the corner. While many people are so busy preparing for this Yuletide Season, it is important for us to realize the prosperous results of gift giving.
Filipinos are much more familiar with the tradition of gift-giving especially this holiday season. One of the primary benefits of gift giving is the good feeling you get when you do something good for others.
That magical feeling of joy was felt by this group of teachers from Sta. Ana National High School (SANHS) when they went to Tambobong National High School (TNHS), Saturday morning of December 8 for a gift giving activity, “Hatid Pamasko Para Sa Kapwa.”
As the teachers were approaching the school premises, well-behaved students lined-up at the school lobby eager and excited to meet the teachers.
School In-charge Raul Cabilogan and TNHS students welcomed the group with a short program where students sang Christmas in Our Hearts and Liwanag ng Pasko.
In his welcome remarks, Cabilogan said that it was his first time to welcome a group of teachers for a gift-giving activity and he was hoping that it would not be the last.
“I hope every year, I will always be welcoming this group of teachers from Sta. Ana National High School,” Cabilogan said.
He further added that, “it is a great joy to us here in TNHS to see teachers sacrificing to come to our hilly place to bring gifts to our students for Christmas. It is really overwhelming.”
Mr. Cabilogan said to his students to be grateful to this opportunity and told them to treasure the sacrifice made by the teachers of coming to their place for a wonderful gift-giving activity in this Christmastime.
He then stressed out that the true meaning of Christmas is the act of sharing. He said that giving gifts reminded us of the true “Gift” – Jesus and that life is not only receiving but also giving and sharing of one’s blessings.
President Pstr. Bernard I. Balla Sr. of School Governing Council (SGC), was very overwhelmed and grateful to see teachers bringing gifts to their students for Christmas.
“Nagpasalamat ko ug dako nga kalayo-layo sa amo na lugar ug kadaghan sa mga eskwelahan kami ang inyong napili nga tagaan ining mga gasa,” Pstr. Balla Sr. said.
He added that, “Manghinaot ko nga e bless mo sa atong Ginoo sa inyong gibuhat kay matod pa, bulahan ang nagahatag kay sa nagadawat.”
Susana A. Bacolod, one of the Outreach Program Coordinators, said that this group of teachers had been doing this gift-giving activity since last year. She said that the teachers voluntarily spared their own money to raise funds for the said activity.
Bacolod stressed out that this group of teachers discovered an excitement in giving. She said that living is giving.
“We live life best when we give ourselves, our resources and our time in service to others.”
Luisita P. Sabater, a Filipino teacher, said that it was a great feeling to see how the students felt upon receiving the gifts.
“I am so touched and honored to bring joy to these Indigenous People (IP) students in this mountainous place,” Sabater said.
Doris Teresa R. Flojo, an English teacher, also said that, “It feels good because you’re making a difference in somebody else’s life because you’re giving them presents they don’t usually get.”
Petra Albacite, a Science teacher, revealed her great feeling when she watched the students opened the package.
“Looking at them receiving and opening the package, I experience this warm glow from my inner spirit. Their eyes speak how blessed are they,” teary-eyed Mrs. Albacite said.
Helen G. Reyno, school in-charge of Marahan National High School, felt proud of what the teachers had done to the IP students.
“Thank you teachers for taking part in the DepEd adopt-a-school program by reaching out to the IP students of Tambobong National High School for two years especially in this Christmas Season,” she said.
It was December 19, 2011 that this group of teachers went to TNHS for the said gift giving where Reyno, who was then the School In-charge, welcomed the group with grateful heart during their Christmas Festival celebration.
The group was able to purchase 6 sacks of rice, 5 boxes of sardines, 9 boxes of noodles, 200 packs of sugar, 8 packs of energy drinks and coffee.
“We are able to give 200 packs of goods to the (IP) students of Tambobong National High School,” said Edith L. Natividad, Values teacher.
The joy of gift giving embedded in everyone’s heart as they received little notes from the students upon leaving their mountainous place.
“Thank you visitors sa walang sawa ninyong pagbigay pamasko sa amin kahit na nasa above of the mountain kami hindi parin kayo sumusuko para sa amin.
Alam naming mahirap ang panahon natin ngayon. Alam ninyo kayo ang nagbibigay sa amin ng lakas ng loob para kami ay mag-aral nang mabuti. Thank you talaga and God bless you.” She said.
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