Christmas cheer has arrived early in the City of Smiles as 45 children enjoyed a festive shopping treat Nov. 19, courtesy of SM City Bacolod and the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc. (SSFI).
Each child received P6,000 in shopping money – P5,000 from SM and P1,000 from SSFI – and gave them the chance to pick their own holiday gifts.
Leading the activity was Ciarra Sotto, youngest child of Senate President Tito Sotto, who represented her mother, Helen Gamboa-Sotto.
“Our goal today is to make you happy because, if you are happy, we are happy also,” she told the kids and their families. “On behalf of all the senators and the spouses of the senators, we love you and want you to be happy even if you have just gone through struggles because of the typhoon. Let’s not lose hope and always pray to the Lord.”
Mayor Greg Gasataya, who celebrated his 55th birthday yesterday, thanked the foundation for choosing Bacolod as this year’s venue of its program that helps children all around the Philippines. “We hope you choose Bacolod again next year. To SM, thank you very much since, this means a lot to the children.”
The day kicked off with a cheerful breakfast at McDonald’s and a short performance before the children were grouped for shopping. Volunteers and guests guided the groups to ensure safety and comfort throughout the experience, a press release from the city said.
Aside from the shopping treat, 102 Bacolod residents received Guaranteed Letters under Senate Assist, the Upper House’s digital platform for medical and social assistance. Beneficiaries included senior citizens and long-term medical patients, who aired their gratitude.
“Thank you so much because, through this, we received a Guarantee Letter. We are also very grateful to the city for choosing us as beneficiaries of this program,” Angelito Serra, 76, who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and is undergoing dialysis, said.
“This is a huge help because, before, we had to shoulder all our expenses on our own. We even sought help from congressman Greg in the past. Now, we were given another chance and were chosen again for this program,” Emelita Fegidero, 65, a long-term dialysis patient, shared.
The initiative, part of SSFI’s “A Christmas in November”, was coordinated closely with Gasataya and the city government, with the Senate Public Assistance Office overseeing the distribution.
SM City Bacolod played a key role in making the day meaningful and memorable for the children.
More than just a gift-giving activity, the event became a celebration of hope, compassion, and community spirit, bringing smiles and early Christmas joy to children and families across Bacolod, the city said. ||
