TACLOBAN CITY– Soldiers from the 802nd Infantry Brigade are playing Santas to kids and their respective families by giving gifts to them during this time of Christmas season.
These soldiers, though in their camouflage uniform but wearing the red-colored Santa hat, are visiting remote and mountainous villages of Ormoc City, where their headquarter is based.
The Santa soldiers give toys to children and noche buena package to their families to make their Christmas celebration merry somehow.
And while they are giving their gifts, the Santa soldiers also sing Christmas carols to their targeted beneficiaries who are poor families.
Soldiers from the brigade, which is headed by Col. Noel Vestuir, contributed their two-day meal allowance for this activity.
It was learned that they were able to raise P21,000 for their gift-giving activity.
Col. Vestuir said that the activity was aimed to make the people feel secure and at the same time, enjoy the spirit of Christmas despite the hardships they experience in their everyday lives.
“We are grateful to accept the voluntary donation of our troopers as a way of sharing the blessings that they received to our less fortunate brothers and sisters who have less to enjoy the festiveness of the Christmas Season,” he said.
“Through this noble gesture, we can deliver to them the true essence of Christmas that is happiness in giving,” he added.
Vestuir also expressed his gratitude for the cooperation of the Tandaya Eagles Club (ORTEC) and Alto Peak Eagles Club (APEC), both in Ormoc.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
