Over 400 students were fed a hot meal when we hosted our monthly meals program at Bacoor Elementary School on February 18, 2010.

We’re committed to these kind of school meal programs to help improve children’s health and increase school attendance, retention and improve learning. Limitations on funding limit the feedings to once a month at the present time, but we are hoping to expand this program to conduct school meals more frequently and to serve additional students as additional funds become available.

This activity was conducted by our volunteers, who were joined by a group of 2nd year high school students from St. Michael Institute, a local private school. Thank you to all who made it possible for these kids to enjoy a much needed meal. I would also like to thank the people of Bacoor who volunteered their time to help facilitate everything. Check out the pictures to see the kids we helped.

Thanks to everyone who has supported this cause, this past Thursday, January 21, 2010 hot meals we’re given to over 500 students at Bacoor Elementary School. The majority of them are children living at or below the poverty line. Lack of food is often one of the challenges that children face at Bacoor as some families do not have the means to purchase it. We’re committed to this kind of school meal programs to help improve children’s health and increase school attendance, retention and improve learning. Limitations on funding limit the feedings to once a month at the present time, but we are planning to expand this program to conduct school meals more frequently and to serve additional students as additional funds become available.

This activity was conducted by volunteers along with the 2nd and 3rd grade teachers who unselfishly shared their time and effort in the preparation and distribution of the meals. Thank you to all who made it possible for these kids to enjoy a much needed meal. I would also like to thank the people of Bacoor who volunteered their time to help facilitate everything. Please check out the pictures so you can see the children that you’re helping.

Christmas in the Philippines is filled with unique, family oriented traditions. It is the most important holidays in the country even more important than one’s own birthday. Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, with estimates 85 percent of the population belonging to this faith in the Philippines. Filipinos truly keep Christ in Christmas. The tradition evolves from an old customs called Simbang Gabi or Night Mass where people wake up as early as 3am to prepare to attend a mass which usually starts at 4am where the story of nativity is read from the bible for nine days until Christmas Eve. After the mass, families love to eat native delicacies such as bibingka (rice flour and egg based cake), salabat (hot ginger tea) and tsokolate (thick native cocoa). Vendors sell these just outside the church.

The parol or star lantern is what symbolizes Christmas in the Philippines. These lanterns display dazzling, colorful lights especially at night. You will find parols hanging on the street lamps, offices, and malls. It represents the guiding light, the star of Bethlehem. It represents hope…. Noche Buena a traditional Christmas Eve feast is a time of thanksgiving and is like an open house in every home. Family, friends and neighbors are welcome to eat and drop by to wish everyone a Maligayang Pasko or a Merry Christmas. Children must take their godparents and elderly relatives hand to their forehead as a sign of respect and ask for blessings it’s called “mano po”. Christmas in the Philippines is a time for families, friends and it’s absolutely unique over there. It’s been a long seventeen years since I have seen Christmas in my hometown of Cavite. Though the poverty is still there I am proud to say that nothing compares to the Christmas celebration in the Philippines. But as the saying goes the most important thing during the holidays is being with your love ones. I am so lucky that I have family and friends here to celebrate Christmas with. I hope you had a meaningful holidays. May you have a great year ahead!

From my family to yours Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon. Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!