Who said Christmas is just for Christians?
Twelve-year-old Setty Aina Sarit,12, happily joined about 6,000 children from various barangays of Lapu-Lapu in the annual Children鈥檚 Party sponsored by the city government in the Hoopsdome yesterday.
Setty and 32 other Muslim children mingled with other minors for a full day of parlor games, dancing, food and new toys as gifts.
鈥淭his is my first time. In our place, we don鈥檛 have parties. We get to celebrate after Ramadan but there鈥檚 nothing in December,鈥 said Setty.
The annual party for indigent children was first organized during Rep. Arturo Radaza鈥檚 term as city mayor and has been continued by his wife incumbent Mayor Paz Radaza.
鈥淐hristmas is really for children,鈥 said the mayor.
鈥淢ost of these kids are unable to enjoy a Christmas party so we throw one for them.鈥
The children provided some of the entertainment, dancing 鈥淥ppa Gangnam鈥 style popularized by Korean rapper Py.
Each child was given a gift pack containing toys and a packed meal.
The youngsters are beneficiaries of the national government鈥檚 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program where low-income families receive cash aid on condition that their children go to school and show up for medical checkups. Lapu-Lapu city鈥檚 Home Care program is another sponsor.
Setty said their Muslim parents explained to them that Christmas is for everyone, regardless of their religion, and that it was a time for children to receive gifts, play games and to enjoy feasts.
Setty, a native of Lanao del Sur, said most of her fellow Muslims residing in sitio Iba, barangay Basak in Lapu-Lapu City come from different places in Mindanao such as Lanao, Agusan del Norte and Zamboanga City.
Her family, excluding her father, left Mindanao years ago to escape armed conflict between the military and rebels years go.
Jimbo Linao, 14, of barangay Ibo, said he looked forward to the annual party to enjoy with his friends.
鈥淚t鈥檚 only during Christmas parties like this that we get to receive gifts and we鈥檙e always present,鈥 said the boy.
It was the first time for siblings Laurence, 7 and Rose Anne, 12 of barangay Agus to attend. 鈥淣alipay kaayo mi kay nakaapil mi og Christmas party nga daghan kaayong mga bata). We鈥檙e very happy to attend. There are so many children here.)