There were 244 children and escorting staff enjoyed the ACTION Christmas Party 2017 last December 9, 2017 at Moon Bay Marina Water Park Resort. Kids from Peoples Recovery Empowerment Development Assistance (PREDA) Foundation- Home for Girls, and for Boys, Social Development Center (SDC), Center for Youth (CFY), Jireh Children’s Home, International Children’s Advocate Niños Pag-asa Center, Duyan ni Maria, SOS Children’s Village Bataan and Philippine Outreach Centre Children’s Home (POCCH) and from partner community organization Tayo ang Tinig at Gabay (TATAG) attended the event, as well as the 7th batch of Iyashi no Chikara (Power of Therapy).
The activity was facilitated by Ms. Mary Joy N. Marbida and Ms. Evangeline Grace Balais. The program started with the invocation led by a child from Social Development Center (SDC). Mr. Hajime Yokota, founder and Executive Director of ACTION, welcomed the participants and guest with warm greetings. He also gave thanks to the sponsor of this activity which is Mr. Jerry Angping as well as the participants, guests and ACTION staff for the realization of this activity- to have an opportunity to celebrate Christmas season together.
The Chikara Program beneficiaries then performed a dance number with Mr. Terry Traylor, a volunteer American Dance Instructor. Mr. Traylor, assisted by Ms. Machiko Obikawa, an ACTION staff from Japan, gave free dance lessons to the beneficiaries of Dance no Chikara Project prior to the Christmas Party.
The children also had fun in joining the games prepared by Ms. Mary Marlet Alellie Saladino, Ms. Lindsay Jhen Kurais and Ms. Jasmin Eve Domingo. In between the games the children performed dance numbers with Mr. Ferdinand V. Telmo, the regular Chikara Dance Instructor.
Another highlight of this activity was the awarding of Certificates of Appreciation to the instructors and partner facilities and organization for their unceasing support to the Chikara projects, and ACTION Inc. in general. A Certificate of Appreciation was also given to Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) for donating gifts for children.
For giving a generous donation of one hundred thousand pesos (100,000 Php) for the conduct of ACTION Christmas (Pool) Party 2017, a Certificate of Appreciation was awarded to Mr. Jerry Angping. Mr. Jun Castro received the certificate on behalf of Mr. Angping.
On the top of ACTION Christmas (Pool) Party, the children were given gifts from ACTION and from SBFCC. Mr. Jude Hipolito and Ms. Rose Velasco also have gifts for Hasami no Chikara children and for ACTION staffs as well. The gifts definitely brought a smile to the children.
The program ended with closing remarks by Mr. Jun Castro. He was hoping that they will be able to sponsor again the ACTION Christmas Party 2018 . Afterwards, a heavy merienda (snacks) for participants and guests was served and the children enjoyed their unlimited swimming time.
We hope for more kind hearted people who are willing to support our goal in promoting the well-being of children and their families, and for children to have a treasured experience every Christmas season. Thank you very much!
By:
Michelle T. Tayao
Project Officer
