MANILA, Philippines — The family of a murdered businessman, whose killers were sentenced to life imprisonment last Monday, celebrated their Christmas by giving gift baskets to more than a thousand children.
This was the 10th year for the family to give away gift baskets to children. The decade-old tradition was started by the victim himself, Gil, who was shot to death in front of their own house along Pedro Gil Street, in June 2006. His family decided to continue his annual gift-giving to not only commemorate Christ’s birth but also celebrate the birth anniversary of their father Gil.
“He started this gift-giving activity 10 years ago. Instead of spending our money for food, he wanted to just use the amount to buy gifts for children,” Josephine Manlapaz said of her husband’s charity move.
On Monday, seven years after the death of the father of the family, Anita Buce, the mastermind of the slay and the three hired killers were pronounced guilty by Judge Armando Yanga of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 173.
The court found that the four conspired to carry out the killing because of a business dispute between Buce and Josephine. The victim’s wife was said to be the original target but she was not spotted by the killers at the time of the attack.
Josephine told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that they decided to continue the gift giving even after her husband’s death, saying “I knew he wanted us to continue with this Christmas tradition without him.”
She said that initially, they started with only 50 children living near their neighborhood but the number kept growing each year.
As early as 1 a.m., children started lining up in front of the grocery store of the family, the same spot where Gil was shot and killed seven years ago.
At around 8 in the morning, the line of children waiting for their gifts almost reached a kilometer from the Manlapaz house. Members of the family started handing out gift baskets and fruits to the children at 9 a.m.
“They are known here in our barangay as a very generous and helpful family. Their mother Ate Josephine would always assist us whenever we have problems,” said neighbor Phing Espina who also lined up in front of the store with her two children.
Manlapaz’s son Jojo said they felt blessed that finally, after seven years, justice was served.
“We feel that the court decision is very timely especially that today is my father’s birthday and also Christmas day,” he said on Wednesday, December 25.
“His death made our whole family strong and fearless. Now we know that we can face anything because God is on our side,” the mother of the family said.
Josephine said she has long forgiven the the three men hired to murder her husband saying that they only did the act because they needed the money paid by Buce. She and Buce used to be best of friends engaged in the same business of dealing soft drinks products. Their relationship, however, turned sour after a business dispute, which led to threatening calls from the latter.
“I know those men also have families of their own who are mourning because of their conviction,” she said.
After distributing Christmas giveaways, the family headed to Himlayang Pilipino in Quezon City to visit Gil’s grave.
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