While most families prepare for the holiday season surrounded by loved ones, the staff and house parents at the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Nayon ng Kabataan in Mandaluyong City work tirelessly to create a festive atmosphere for children in need of special care at the center.

The residents and center staff shared their yearly tradition in the 12th episode of the agency’s award-winning online documentary, Mga Kwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago or #KPAP.

“Naging practice na namin talaga na mayroon kaming Noche Buena kung Pasko at Media Noche kung araw ng Bagong Taon…naghahanap kami ng donor para makapag-augment sa handa namin. Naghahanda talaga kami. So, halimbawa kung may lechon na pwedeng i-donate sa amin, para naman yung mga bata namin ay masaya,” Supervising Social Worker Norma Marcelino said in an interview with #KPAP.

The Nayon ng Kabataan’s house parents and staff work diligently to create a Christmas mood by adorning their center with bright lanterns and colorful decorations offering a glimmer of joy to young residents who are orphans or survivors of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

For 12-year-old Abby (not her real name), she finds hope in her stay at the Nayon ng Kabataan.

“Masaya naman po kami kahit na nalayo po kami sa tunay naming magulang pero po ngayon ay ang Nayon ng Kabataan po muna ang family namin,” Abby told #KPAP.

Ten-year-old Annie (not her real name), on the other hand, wishes for one thing this Christmas: “Sana po makasama ko na po sila, yung pamilya ko, sa Pasko.”

Meanwhile, Mia (not her real name), another 12-year-old resident, said Christmas at Nayon ng Kabataan remains bittersweet.

“Ang best experience ko nung bata ako talagang may gifts talaga. Yung pag gising mo may gift na sa ilalim ng Christmas tree tapos may video, pagkatapos may present, mag-Nonoche buena, magluluto, pagkatapos nun pupunta kami sa restaurant,” Mia recalled.

However, with a heavy emotion, Mia said that she cannot return to her family.

“Yung mga kasama ko, at least may pamilya pa, kasi hindi na ako makakabalik kasi sa pamilya ko po eh…hindi na ako makakabalik doon,” Mia shared.

Mia is one of the many children at Nayon ng Kabataan who were separated from their families due to physical abuse.

Despite her circumstances, Mia’s dream of a bright future remains unbroken.

“Grateful naman ako, basta maging successful po ako, mabuhay nang maayos at hindi nakatira doon sa labas,” Mia pointed out.

The Nayon ng Kabataan staff and house parents are dedicated to achieve a simple yet profound goal – to make children in need of special care to feel loved and valued, especially during a season that emphasizes family and togetherness.

For Rosita Manabat, a center staff who is set to retire this year, the role of a house parent is more than a job.

“Ipinapaliwanag namin bakit nandito sila, kasi alam namin may mga kanya-kanyang problema kaya po kami bilang house parent talagang itinuturing na namin sila bilang kapamilya namin,” Rosita said.

To compensate for the lack of familial ties, the house parents and staff of the Nayon ng Kabataan, in partnership with donors, hold various activities for the holiday season such as gift-giving, games, storytelling, and other events to help the children-residents feel the Christmas spirit.

“Sa mga bata ng Nayon ng Kabataan, lagi naman naming sinasabi na walang batang masama, walang batang hindi mabuti. Although malayo kayo sa family nyo, nandito naman kaming mga staff ng Nayon ng Kabataan bilang magulang, bilang kapamilya,” Norma assured their children-residents.

For those who would like to share their blessings this holiday season for the children in Nayon ng Kabataan, the public may visit the center at Welfareville Compound, Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City.

The #KPAP is a joint production of the Traditional Media Service (TMS) and the Digital Media Service (DMS), which are both under the Strategic Communications group. The #KPAP is hosted by TMS Director Aldrine Fermin and is posted every Tuesday on the DSWD’s official Facebook page.

The #KPAP recently bagged the Public Service Campaign – National Level Award in the first-ever ‘Parangal: Gawad ng Kahusayan sa Komunikasyong Pampubliko’ sponsored by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). (AKDL)