IT'S a cliche, but Christmas is really the time of sharing. This is because it's also the time of the year when most people receive numerous blessings. There's the 13th month, bonuses, and other random gifts we receive.
This is why Suntrust Properties, Inc.-Davao branch employees, brokers and agents initiated a gift-giving activity to the children-beneficiaries of the Archdiocesan Nourishment Center (ANC) in Pag-asa street, Poblacion District, Davao City.
On December 6, the company, led by its officers, Vice President for Sales and Marketing & Business Development Jerry Rubis and Asst. Vice President for Regional Operations Engr. Leonora P. Gutierrez turned over P60,000 in cash to Msgr. Paul Cuizon, Archdiocesan Council of the Lay Apostolate and Integrated Movements (Aclaim) spiritual director, who headed the operations of the ANC.
"The amount we are giving comes from our own pockets; the employees, brokers and agents. There were some who gave P500, P1,000 while others also gave as much as P2,000," Gutierrez said.
Their activity was supposed to be held on November 14 yet, in time for their 20th anniversary. But since they had a meeting in Manila that time and thinking that Christmas is already near, they moved the gift-giving activity instead on December 6, since it was also the company's Christmas party.
"It's a prelude to our Christmas party kumbaga," Gutierrez added.
Msgr. Cuizon dreams that the center will not just be there in the Piapi area and in Bucana, but all over the city where there are squatters.
"So the little that you contribute really means something already in the fulfillment of that dream," he said.
The center caters to indigent children not only by providing feeding programs but also medical and dental programs. It also teaches values formation to the children and provides livelihood program for the parents of and educational assistance to its children-beneficiaries.
That's why Msgr. Cuizon, in his message during the activity, thanked the Suntrust-Davao for its generosity and hoping that the center will receive again from the company in the future.
Suntrust Davao's Rubis also encourages the kids to persevere in their studies.
He said in his messenger, "Mga bata, dati rin kaming mga bata, kagaya nyo, nagsipag kami mag-aral kaya ngayon maganda na ang aming kinabukasan (Children, we were kids just like you before, we persevered in our studies that's why we now have a bright future)."
He also emphasized that the indigent children can give someday to others like them if they are already in better stage than where they are right now through education.
Truly, Christmas is the season of giving and the gifts we give are only the expression of what's inside our heart. But as what Msgr. Cuizon said, the greatest gift we have received is Jesus Christ, and this is what we should always remember during Christmas and not the amount of the material things we receive during Christmas.