Erap plays Santa to inmates, orphans

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada yesterday played Santa Claus to around 5,000 inmates at the Manila City Jail and over 90 orphans at the Asociacion de Damas de Filipinas.

“Don’t lose hope. I know how it feels to be an inmate because I was also jailed for more than six years. Despite the hardship, I did not lose hope. I know how difficult it is to wait for your loved ones and visitors in jail,” Estrada told the inmates.

Estrada distributed bags of goodies to the inmates for their Noche Buena.

He stayed with them for 45 minutes.

Members of the city jail’s choral group rendered a song and dance number for Estrada.

The mayor visited the orphanage in Paco, Manila and distributed gifts to 93 orphans.

The orphans received gift bags containing coloring books and school supplies, Mina Suan, program coordinator of the orphanage, said.