Mind the children

It is always said that Christmas is for kids. Lucky are those whose families can give them a hearty celebration with food, clothing and presents. But who are minding the less fortunate young ones? It is heart-warming to note that indeed, there are persons and organizations who work for the benefit of the unfortunate during the Yuletide season and even beyond.

Thirty one of the country’s leading chefs have recently grouped together for a massive undertaking – to build a permanent building to house St. Hannibal’s Children’s Center for underprivileged children of Parañaque. They are doing this in coordination with the Rogationist congregation in Merville. Spearheaded by chefs with big hearts – Jean-Pierre Migne and Martin Gaspar – they will hold “Recipes for Children’s Dreams” on November 25 during which 83 dishes created by the chef-donors, representing different cuisines of their respective countries in Europe as well as the Philippines, will be served in a pot-luck style dinner buffet at Merville Park at 6 p.m. This project sprang from Migne’s concern over the kids he sees every time he and his Filipino wife would pass by an open court where the children are exposed to the elements. His call was immediately heeded by fellow chefs, optimistic about raising at least P1M.  

Some of the familiar names we spotted among the 31 chefs are Glenda Barretto, Myrna Segismundo, Sau del Rosario, Jessie Sinsioco, Jill Sandique, Norbert Gandler, Melchor Taylo, Carol Sumulong, Pinky Añonuevo, Werner Berger, most of whom, if not all, you have all met in their respective hotels, restaurants and cake shops. With them and the rest, the dream can be realized. Their noble hearts and call to action indeed are the recipes to fulfilling children’s dreams.

The Rogationist Apostolate has been in Merville since 1985, providing training on moral values and crafts to the children of the surrounding areas. They have alumni on the last stages of priesthood.

They also have the Rogate Center, where hand-crafted religious images are sold, among them a miniature belen made of wood. They dub their collection “Inspiration that Lasts.” Visit them are 22 Calcutta, Merville Park, tel. no. 828-4443.

The Ladies of Zonta Club Alabang, on the other hand, have been espousing the care of the children in Bagong Silang Elementary school on Sucat, Parañaque. For the last three years, they have held their Carnivale Bazaar to support their project. This year’s event, co-chaired by our friends Carmita and Myrna, is highlighted by the “Tree of Joy” where teddy bears will form the main ornaments.

The bazaar will be held on December 17, but the three-day launch will culminate today at Bizu in the Alabang Town Center. If one buys a teddy bear at P250, another one will be given to a child beneficiary. On Dec. 3, they will hold a Christmas party for their wards. Admirable! Interested parties may email [email protected] or go to Bizu today.

The Echostore in Serendra offers natural, eco-friendly, and sustainable items. The wide selection is sourced from various places in the country, also encouraging mostly women to become productive in manufacturing.

Their body lotions, soaps, food items, even drawing canvas for kids are all eco-friendly. They have packaged Christmas gift items ranging from P964 to P2,347. They offer baskets that can contain basic bathroom needs, beverages, kitchen solutions, anti-bacterial insect repellent, coffee beans, and native hand bags.

One of the most interesting items is the Spa in a Can, a soothing cream for the body, exhilarating to use when being given a massage. Shoppers can make their individual packaging to suit recipients of their gifts. As this is being printed, the Echostore owners would have opened, next door, their market, selling fresh premium harvest, meat and fowl. Go natural, it is healthy. Call 901-3485.

The makers of Josefina’s Ham have announced their Christmas Collection. This is early enough for any housewife to plan what type of ham they need for the holidays. The traditional leg, weighing from 3 kilos up, is priced at P750 a kilo, same with the Chinese style. Christmas ham is at P550 a kilo, American style at P390 a kilo while duck ham goes for P590 a kilo. They’ve got special meat loaf for P390 a kilo. Contact them at 740-2024 and 514-4448 or 414-0109.

Have a good holiday season and mind the children, especially the less privileged. Share!

E-mail comments and questions to [email protected]