Albeit late, Santa comes to Tacloban

Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman: Belated Christmas gifts. FILE PHOTO

Christmas came in March for 18 barangays (villages) in Tacloban City when the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed school supplies, shoes, clothes, bicycles and toys last week to 1,015 children at the city convention center.

These were the barangays severely hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

The DSWD, through the “Wish upon a Star Project,” granted the wishes of the children that were written on star-shaped pieces of paper during their Christmas party in December dubbed “Pasko na Tacloban, Magrisyo Kita (It’s Christmas Tacloban, Be Happy).”

The children were chosen as beneficiaries because they came from far-flung areas hardly reached by any kind of assistance.

The star-shaped papers were displayed at the DSWD Central Office during the 63rd anniversary of the agency in January.

Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said 98 DSWD employees fulfilled the kids’ wishes and paid for some of the gifts.

Manuel Chua of Tulay Foundation donated P1 million, while Judy Chua of the same foundation flew to Tacloban to join in the gift distribution.

Judy related how they came up with the idea of gifts for the children.

“Secretary Soliman showed us the wish list of the children and told us that she wanted them fulfilled. Hence, we decided to spend our cash donation for the children’s wishes,” the DSWD quoted Chua as saying.

Nilo Cinco, 9, of Barangay 101 New Kawayan, who received a new bicycle, said, “Damu nga salamat. Gamiton ko ini na bike tikadto ha skwelahan (Thank you very much. I will ride the bike in going to school).”

Soliman said the activity was meant to continue to give hope, especially to the children, and encourage them to rebuild their lives and dream on.—Cynthia D. Balana