Hundreds of Matigsalog children in Barangay Contract, Marilog District, Davao City received an early Christmas treat from Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, the founding president of the Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc. last November 27, 2015.
The event started with the registration and orientation of the participants regarding the whole day activities. Soon after, children were led to wash their hands before the boodle fight where they feasted on the abundant servings of rice, fried chicken, pancit, and sardines. Parents took their turns at the long tables after the children had eaten.
Innovative parlor games like “carabao race”, “riding in a basin race”, and “a vendor went to town” filled the air with excitement. Cheers and laughter from the crowd heightened the joy of every one who came to join the big party.
The beneficiaries also hang their wish cards on the big Christmas tree, and then helped themselves with unlimited ice cream. Gifts were also distributed to the children based on the wish lists that they submitted before the actual event. They were surprised to see that everything that they had wished for this holiday season was in the box that each of them received- clothes, shoes, umbrellas, toys, books, and more. Their parents also received gifts during the event.
The giant slide was an added attraction that brought joy to these impoverished children even for a day. “ Nalipay gyud ko kay karon lang naay inani diri. Salamat kaayo Pastor sa pagkaon, sa mga regalo ug sa slide na imong gipadala diri para malingaw mi. (I am very happy today because this is the first time that this activity has happened in our place. Thank you so much, Pastor, for the food, gifts and the giant slide that you have brought for us to enjoy.), Peter, 10, said in an interview.
With the love and attention that they got on that special day, the smiles on the faces of the Matigsalog children and their parents surely paid off the efforts of all the volunteers whom Pastor Apollo sent to spread the joy of the holiday season.