By Rhea Joanna Sagayaga/PNA-OJT
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – The joyful spirit of Christmas is best seen through the eyes of the children, so the old adage goes.
This prompted the “Anong Ulam Mo?” charity event organizers to conduct their series of gift giving and magical shows, particularly for kids in Laguna’s depressed communities.
Donny Rey Villanueva, the 25 year-old event organizer and one of the members of the “Anong Ulam Mo?” group, said they are doing this for the fourth time already and have chosen Barangay Lecheria, one of Calamba’s 54 barangays with identified depressed areas, for their activities over the weekend.
“Anong Ulam Mo?” has chosen Barangay Lecheria to conduct its charity event because of a number of indigent children in the area.
“This is for the youth, and since it is also December, we are jubilant to share our blessings,” he said.
The occasion was also an offshoot of the group’s plan to provide a more meaningful activity with the village children and youths, and also in celebration of the 38th birthday of member Ruel Dela Cruz Almeida last Dec. 4.
“I’m happy because out of the 54 barangays here in Calamba, they have chosen us (Lecheria) for their charity event,” said Lecheria village chief Marie Patiga.
As early as 12 noon, scores of children have swarmed the village’s covered court before the series of activities kicked off 2 p.m., consisting of magic show, puppet show, face painting, feeding program, fun games and entertainment numbers until early evening.
Almeida said their charity event #TheKidsMagicShow2018 has also received donations from civic-spirited citizens, especially from charity foundations that “lend a helping hand”.
Barangay secretary Danny Suelto, 48, thanked the group’s members for sharing their talent, time, resources and games with the indigent children, who were instantly “energized” to join the fun as they rarely experience a magic and puppet show.
The “Anong Ulam Mo?” event organizers disclosed that they have so far staged their Kids’ Magic Shows as early as Dec. 3 in Famy, Laguna; Dec. 4 in Calamba City; Dec. 5 in Barangay Cuyab, San Pedro City, Laguna; Dec. 6 in Balibago Covered Court, Sta. Rosa, Laguna; and on Dec. 7 at the FPIP Santo Tomas, Batangas.
