Our Christmas Party (by Marifel)

Singing of the National Anthem – was led by Sis Fely
Invocation - by Sis. Virgie
Opening Remarks - by yours truly but this was also an introduction to our guests: Bro. Marcy Buenaventura, President of the Lay Defenders, owner of the house where our library is located; Sis. Mitos Buenaventura– the wife of Bro. Marcy, she bakes the biscuits of the students who visit the library;
Fr. Ted Gonzales, SJ - he stayed with us from the start to the endof the program (how lovely of him).
Community singing followed – songs like Mahal Ako ni Kristo, Sabi ni Nanay,
Tanggapin Natin ang Diyos, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, With Christ in My Vessel, Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, Silent Night and the children’s favorite song “Kaibigan Mo Ako” (I will tell you one day why this song became memorable to these children – it was a heart breaking experience).
Storytelling of Ang Unang Pasko, written by Rene Villanueva – was retold by
Sis. Virgie.
Role playing of Unang Pasko followed. You’ll witness who garnered the best Actor, best Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress Awards from the video which I posted at basapinoy.multilply.com.
Lunch of spaghetti, chicken sandwich, fruit juice were served. Marshmallows donated by some parents in the community were also given away to the children. Special thanks to the officers of the Lay Defenders who prepared and brought the lunch of those assisting in the party: Sis. Juliet, Sis. Virgie & Sis. Fely. These are also the same people who visit the kids at the estero on Saturdays.
The afternoon was spent in exchanging of points (chits). Every child was able to earn about 300 points during their whole year’s attendance at the library. The goodies you sent were assigned with points corresponding to how big they are & how valuable. The ballpens and pencils, for example, can be exchanged for 1 point, the books’ points ranged from 25 to 100. There was a laptop which was pegged at 300 points. The children were smart. They did not get it. Somehow, it is as if they knew that it would finally be donated to our library in Karangalan. And that actually happened with the inspiration of Fr. Ted. The laptop was donated to the library so everyone of them can play with it when they visit the library. Still some children needed wise advice on the spending of their chits. They have as advisers, the adults present (Fr. Ted was one of them), because they were confused and overwhelmed by the overflowing “paninda” of toys, books, school supplies, fancy jewelries and other colorful children’s accessories. They wanted to buy one of each kind.
We ended at 4 p.m. with a silent prayer. Amazing experience for the children! See that also at basapinoy.multiply.com.
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A blessed Christmas and a grace filled New Year, Fran and in behalf of the children of BASA, THANK YOU SO MUCH. Also, kindly greet for us the Papandrews! Truly, you made a lot of people happy. The spirit of Christmas was in the air.
The people around them, the gifts they received, the preparation, the food, --all these will be remembered by these children. They were singing on their way home and realized they were very much loved. GOD must truly be in love and alive with them. Maraming salamat!

Cheers!
Shalom!
Marifel

note: the titles Bro and Sis do not signify a hierarchy in a particular religious order. -Frannie =)