ILOILO CITY -- Once again, Ilonggos are reminded that Christmas is indeed for children with the country’s biggest Santa Bear now sitting prominently on top of the Iloilo Business Park Showroom in Mandurriao district.
Santa Bear is 50 feet tall, said Jennifer Palmares-Fong, vice president for sales and marketing of the Megaworld Iloilo Business Park.
“Christmas is for children. It will bring smile and joy every time they see the bear,” she said.
As it ushered the Yuletide Season with the presence of the iconic bear, perhaps one of the fortunate groups was the school children of the Feliciana Java Kelly Elementary School located in Barangay Calajunan, Mandurriao district, where the city’s dumpsite is located.
“Most of the kids are children of scavengers, those who are working in the dumpsite,” Ellen Grace Alelis, elementary school head, said in an interview Monday.
On verge of tears, Alelis said she was very glad “to see that the kids are very happy and fulfilled”, being their first time to receive gifts from Megaworld.
“We didn’t expect it to be like this. We thought it was only a simple gift-giving, but they gave the children the best experience of their lives,” she said.
Thirty pupils from Grades 1 to 4, belonging to the poorest of the poor, where chosen as recipients of the gift-giving activity held last Nov. 30.
Each child received a white bear and a gift toy courtesy of one fast-food chain.
Children were also entertained by the performances of the Kinaadman dancers, Claravall-Gonzales School of Classical Ballet, and Airdances prior the ceremonial lighting of the bear.
“It’s very rare for them to accept bears. With all those smiles I see in them and those beautiful, innocent expressions from them, I guess this will inspire them to become good children and be contented of what they have because there are a lot of people who cares for them,” she said.
Seven-year-old Jose Almarente, one of the beneficiaries, said he was happy with the gift.
Palmares-Fong said the giant bear will light up each night until end of December. It is visible across main thoroughfares in Mandurriao and nearby Jaro district.
“Christmas is very magical. We want to bring the feeling that every time they come here, they will feel like a child again, you will feel the holiday season,” she said.
The bear was shipped all the way from Manila and installed for a couple of days.
Meanwhile, for the whole month, series of activities have been lined up at the Iloilo Business Park. Every Sunday and Saturday, there will be a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus sessions at the Santa’s Corner at the Festive Walk Mall Atrium.
The skies will be lighted come Dec. 15, 23 and 30 as Grand Fireworks Display will take centerstage.
There will also be traditional Simbang Gabi from Dec. 15 to 24, while Christmas caroler and Christmas Ballet Special will entertain mall goers on Dec. 17 to 14 and Dec. 22, respectively. (PNA)
