Bigay Puso celebrates its biggest Pasko to date and expands to a new community in Mindanao
With the help of our supporters and partners, Bigay Puso sa Pasko continues to grow steadily each year and reach more underserved communities throughout the Philippines. We traveled to the Davao region on the island of Mindanao in southern Philippines (the second largest in the archipelago), known for its distinct culture, rich resources, and unique natural beauty, to bring our Bigay Puso sa Pasko program to the kids of indigenous families there for the first time in Bigay Puso history.
A total of 500 kids from our communities in Payatas (Quezon City), Sitio Culasisi (Antipolo), and our new community of Indigenous Peoples in Sitio Kibulacan (Malita, Davao Occidental) participated in our annual Bigay Puso sa Pasko program and received Jollibee meals, grocery packages, and toys this Christmas.
PAYATAS (December 18, 2021)
We returned to the Payatas community where Bigay Puso sa Pasko originally began 11 years ago, located in the middle of the infamous Payatas dumpsite in the northeastern district of Quezon City. In light of the current guidelines in Metro Manila, we were restricted once again from holding our traditional Christmas gathering with the kids. Instead, we distributed the meals and gifts to the parents of 250 Grade 1 students from Lupang Pangako Elementary School.
ANTIPOLO (December 19, 2021)
Last year, Bigay Puso sa Pasko expanded to a new community in the remote mountain area of Sitio Culasisi in Antipolo, Rizal. Although Sitio Culasisi is located just outside Metro Manila, most members of the community never leave the area due to its isolated location and the high cost of transportation. As a result, many of the kids are unable to attend school due to the distance and cost.
On December 19, 2021, we brought Bigay Puso sa Pasko to Sitio Culasisi for the second year in a row and distributed Jollibee meals, grocery packages, and toys for 50 kids in the community. The celebration was held at our Mountain View Free Learning Center, which we began developing after last Christmas.
The Mountain View Free Learning Center has seen significant progress throughout the past year - we were able to build a mini library for the kids and purchase many materials and supplies to support the kids' literacy and feeding program. Construction for the learning center's restroom facility is also scheduled to begin early next year.
DAVAO (December 29, 2021)
The beautiful island of Mindanao is home to a substantial portion of the Philippines' indigenous population, with many of the tribes being native to the Davao region in particular. We partnered with our friends at Malyab Farm to bring Bigay Puso sa Pasko to the indigenous community of the Tagakaulo tribe in Sitio Kibulacan, located in the hinterlands of Malita, the capital of the Davao Occidental province.
The celebration was held at Pedro Geverola Lucero Elementary School - Culaman Extension, which was newly formed by the Department of Education (Region XI - Division of Davao Occidental) to accommodate indigenous learners living in the isolated area (the school itself is located 5 km away from any main road). 200 kids from indigenous families received Jollibee meals (many having never tried Jollibee before), grocery packages, goodie bags, toys, and ice cream during our Bigay Puso sa Pasko event.
Special thank you to Daby Bautista of Malyab Farm, Romnick L. Gildore (Teacher-In-Charge at Pedro Geverola Lucero Elementary School - Culaman Extension), and our ice cream sponsor Angelic Garcia. Our organization also signed a formal Memorandum of Agreement with the school and we are looking forward to supporting its development and future projects.
Thank you so much to our donors for their unending support and generosity and to all the teachers and volunteers who keep Bigay Puso sa Pasko going year after year.
We have many things planned for 2022, so don't forget to join our mailing list and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated.
Maayong Pasko ug Malipayong Bag-ong Tuig sa tanan! Daghang salamat <3
Bigay Puso sa Pasko 2021 Donors
Adele Joven
Adrian & Melissa Padiernos
Aimee Abad
Alan Bisnar
Albert Sarno
Allison Vicencio-Nguyen
Althea Oaminal
Anne-Marie Cajigas
Arlene Aficial
Armi Prisara Morales
Barbara Bisnar
Bjorn San Pablo
Brian Madrigal
Brian Rosales
Bryan Villagonzalo
Bryant Palacio & family
Caity Weaver
Carin Avila
Cassandra Corrales
Christopher & Elizabeth Dimaano
Christopher Gayomali
Christine Kim
Cindy Pacia
Clairose Retino
Dennis Besana
Edith Reyes
Erika Lim
Fay Antoinette de Leon
Geoffrey Pascual
George Balobalo
Glen Dalida
Harmony Cruz
Ivy Ocampo
Jamie Antonio
Jane Victor
Janice Blanco
Jason Bueno
Jay Salao
Jeffrey Jumarang
Jeniffer Hsu
Jennifer Laygo
Jenny Valles
Joanna Santos
Joanne Tagorda
JP Lazatin
Justin Valles
Justine Hsu
Kate Obgedeagu
Karlo Soria
Keena Vasquez-Laurel
Kenneth Santos
KR Banaag
Kristofer Biscocho
Lauren Nestler
Liana Navarro & family
Maia Reyes
Marco Bisnar
Marni Ortega
Melissa Salvatierra
Meme Gomez
Michelle Varona
Miggy Encarnacion
Nancy Bautista
Pauline Vitug
Raizel Go & Wham Bacabac
Ramona Matias
Raney Rex Balbuena
Ritzelle Clarke
Ryan Teng
Sabrina Calayan
Samantha Duenas
Stephanie Lapez
Stephanie Chan
Stephanie Deguzman
Sunny Hwang
Tiffany Anthony
Valerie Meneses
Vazken Elinzano
William Le
Xandy Mancao
In memory of Ted Advincula & Percy
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