Meaningful Christmas Celebration with Sta. Cruz School Children

Christmas is a time to pause and remember the ones we love and care about, as well as to think upon the things that are most meaningful in life.
    At TYKFI, it is once again a time of sharing the season’s cheer and blessedness with marginalized school children from farming communities. The Foundation held  Christmas programs as part of the annual food distribution project for 519 pupils in Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur, namely Babayoan, Nagtenga, and Sidaoen Elementary Schools.

    In Babayoan Elementary School, the Christmas program was fully attended by Barangay Captain Hon. Virgilio Lupdag, other Barangay officials, PTA president and Day Care teacher Lolita Arzadon, Babayoan Methodist Church Administrative Pastor Rev. Benilda Gonzalo, teachers headed by Mrs. Violeta Javonillo, and parents. The drum and lyre band of the school played an OPM song as a special presentation for the visitors.
    In Nagtenga Elementary School, the ceremony was attended by the barangay officials headed by Barangay Captain Noli Afalla, PTA president Melodylyn Jallorina, Day Care teacher Mary Lozano, teachers headed by Mr. Carlos Javines, and parents. The school prepared a zumba dance number with their fellow students leading the presentation.
    In Sidaoen Elementary School, the ceremony was also well attended by the barangay officials led by Barangay Captain OIC, First Kagawad Ricardo Polonio, PTA president Felegrino Pacleb, Day Care teacher Catherine Hermosura, teachers headed by Mr. Frisco Josue, and parents. The different grade levels came together to perform in unison their marching band number for the town fiesta, equipped with xylophones wands, and drums.
    Challenging and competitive games were also facilitated for all the grade levels, with the Foundation providing the ecstatic school children with their prizes.  Lastly was the gift-giving occasion.  The Foundation prepared for each student and teacher a TYKFI gift bag containing:

• Bihon noodles
• Fruit cocktail
• Condensed milk
• All-purpose cream
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Vitamilk  Soy drink
• Nestea juice drink
• Lollipop
• Canned sardines
• Cooking oil
• Vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Chocolate powder drink
• Instant coffee
• Brown sugar
• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• ​
  

    In addition, exciting prizes were awarded to the top three teams of the parol-making competition for which TYKFI involved grades four to six students in each school to make the said Christmas decor with recycled and indigenous materials, thus fostering not only their creativity and competitiveness, but also their social and environmental consciousness.
    The first prize was garnered by Sidaoen ES, the second prize to Nagtenga ES, and third prize went to Babayoan ES. Their parols incorporated plastic drink bottles, bottle caps, packaging paper materials, sea shells, wood shavings, rice chaff, and broom bristles.
    In 2018, the school heads reported that some of the students also won several competitions outside of school.
    In Sidaoen, sixth-grader Vince Raphael Tejada won second place in a district-wide poetry composition and oratory contest.  In Nagtenga, select students have received medals and awards in at least ten District or Division level competitions on gymnastics, writing, and journalism among other honors.
    Overflowing with elation, “Mabuhay and God bless TYKFI!” was the resounding response from the schools.  It is hoped that this occasion will give each student a chance to experience the warmth and meaning of Christmas with their families, and that the Foundation would have the privilege of filling their memories with a joyful overflow over the season.