A family in Isabela town, Negros Occidental gathered 160 indigenous peoples’ (IP) children from the eight barangays for the annual tradition “to bring smiles to those in need”.
The family of Sangguniang Bayan member Eduardo “Moks” Española and his wife, Rhona Española, continued their Christmas outreach program dubbed “Handum Mo, Ulikdon Ko” Dec. 17 to barangays Cabcab, Banogbanog, Camang-camang (Marikudo settlement), Sikatuna, Makilignit, San Agustin, Amin, and Riverside.
School supplies, raincoat, shorts, T-shirts, clothes, shoes, slippers, vitamins, toys, and school uniforms were some of the wishes of the IP kids that were granted during the outreach.
The outreach has been a tradition every December, started by the late Dadilos Espanola, and continued for more than 26 years already. His son, Eduardo, decided to continue this year the initiative for IP kids, bringing it closer to their community and held in Brgy. San Agustin.
“This holiday season, we set out on a mission to bring smiles and happiness to the children and to those in need. This is one way to show and spread our gratitude, and also to recognize our IP community’s valuable contribution in preserving our cultural heritage,” Espanola said in a press release.
He added that it also to support his fellow SB member and the first IP Mandatory Representative of Isabela, Teresita “Nanay Dayco” Sinceda. She was awarded the “Gawad Gabay Para Sa Katutubo”, in recognition of her expertise as cultural master.
The outreach was attended by Mayor Irene Montilla, Vice Mayor Juan Miguel Montilla, San Agustin punong barangay Marybell Rendon, and SK Federation president Therese Celo, among others.
“Ang ‘Handom Mo, Ulikdon Ko’, makaremind gid sa aton sang gahum sang pagbinuligay, unity, kindness, and generosity. Kon kita magbinuligay, makahimo gid kita sang kaayuhan sa tagsa ka kabuhi sang ara sa aton palibot. Nagapasalamat gid sa inyo nga suporta kag akon gina look forward na aton madapayon ini nga programa para sa mapalapnag naton ang esensya sang paskwa,” Espanola added. | Alvin Mago photos
