CEBU, Philippines - Behind bright and blinking Christmas lights on the streets of Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City is another kind of light that gives hope to children who long to continue their education.
From the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge, heading towards the Maximo V. Patalinghug Road in Pajo, 45 reindeers outlined by Christmas lights could be seen at the first center island.
“Those reindeers ‘running’ along the center island will be adopted by private companies within the barangay and are not included in the barangay’s competition,” said Pajo Barangay Captain Junard Chan.
Children stories often tell that flying reindeers travel on Christmas Eve together with Santa Claus, pulling his sleigh, as a way of helping him distribute gifts to the sleeping children.
But according to Chan, these reindeers in their barangay, made alive by Christmas lights, are part of the “Adopt a Reindeer” fund-raiser which started last year.
He said adopting one reindeer would entail a company P5,000. If all 45 reindeers are adopted, the barangay will be able to raise P225,000.
“Our proceeds for the reindeer adoption program will go to our marching band… so that we can buy them instruments. This project also aims to support the barangay’s scholars. We are helping those students who cannot afford to study in college,” Chan said.
Chan said the barangay will teach the children how to play band instruments, such as trumpets, tuba, saxophones and bass drums, as well as cymbals, snare drums and clarinet.
“Kung makamao lang ang bata ana, unya kung mo-try out sila inig ka-college, they have a chance to become a scholar,” he said.
Chan said the barangay took inspiration from the late lawyer, Richard Sison, who graduated from college through playing the trumpet in a marching band.
Himself a resident barangay Pajo, Sison was a prominent lawyer who helped establish the Emergency and Rescue Unit Foundation of the city. He was reportedly ambushed by unidentified gunmen in 2007.
Chan believes the children can pursue and reach their dreams of becoming professionals if they are given support, just like Sison.
He said the Philippine Air Force in Brigadier General Benito Ebuen Air Base, which has its own marching band, has agreed to teach the students play the instruments while the barangay will provide the equipment.
“The instruments are very expensive, and the barangay cannot afford them. Nangita mi og way, mao nang nag-fund-raising mi through this Adopt a Reindeer. Hopefully, we can buy some instruments,” Chan said.
To formally express their partnership, the barangay and the PAF will enter into an agreement next year, he added.
Chan said they will train children as young as 12 years old. However, they have yet to identify the students in the barangay’s public schools fit for the program.
He said some private group has donated a trumpet and a lyre to the barangay’s marching band.
He also said students get the chance to receive allowances or extra income since they can play during fiestas and processions.
The marching band needs 25 members. As of now, the barangay has 414 applicants.
“We are still assessing the children with the help of our public schools in the barangay since we are prioritizing the less fortunate. Importante pud tan-awon nato ang attitude sa bata kung willing siya mo-proceed sa higher level of education,” Chan said.
Chan added the barangay will start training the chosen beneficiaries during summer. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)