Soldiers Bring Gifts To Children

From the Manila Bulletin (Dec 26): Soldiers Bring Gifts To Children

Officers and men of the largest Army division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Mindanao, the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4th ID) conducted gift-giving activities for children in different villages in Northeastern and Northern Mindanao regions yesterday. The activity was conducted simultaneously by members of the group Propelling Our Inherited Nation Through our Youth Incorporated (POINTY) in an effort to make the children in remote barangays experience Christmas. “This is also a way of inspiring these children that there is more in life and they should not limit their dreams in their barangays,” said 4th ID spokesperson Lt. Col. Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV.

The gift-giving areas were at barangays Odiong in Esperanza town, Agusan del Sur; Magluyong in San Miguel town, Surigao del Sur; Bangayan in Kitcharao town, Agusan del Norte; Bang-bang in Medina town, Misamis Oriental; and Dalwangan in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon province. In these areas, people contented themselves in having a decent food for the family during Christmas Eve, while people in cities were busy buying gifts for their families and friends. “This tradition put a smile in the faces of the children and this tradition is what we brought to these areas for the children to experience the same joy as those children in big cities,” said 4th ID chief Maj. Gen. Nestor A. Añonuevo.

“The spirit of Christmas can best be seen in the faces of our children and it has been our practice to make them happy through the gifts we give them,” he said. He added: “This is also the time of the year that they are most excited expecting what they will receive from us, who they viewed as their Santa Claus. Your soldiers aside from their traditional roles as combatants may also be a brother, a sister, a father, and a mother to your children who will be happy to see them smile and be joyful this Christmas.” Col. Osias said, “The children and the youth should be experiencing happiness in their hearts and not hatred. This is the reason why we are giving this experience of joy to these children for them to be closer to the government and prevent them from being exploited by the NPAs.”

The soldiers of 4th ID also conducted a film showing at Gaston Park in Cagayan de Oro City few hours before Christmas Eve. During the activity, the audio-video presentation dubbed “Bayanihan” was shown to the people waiting for the Christmas Eve mass at Saint Augustine Church. The soldiers also distributed pocket calendars to churchgoers who stayed at the park and viewed the show. This same activity was also done in the province of Bukidnon and Caraga Region. Añonuevo said this is a simple way of making the Army’s presence felt and to make people feel the security and protection as they celebrate Christmas. "Your soldiers are ready to give their most precious time, effort, and their lives for the service of our country and people all year round," he said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/387212/soldiers-bring-gifts-to-children