Live in the Philippines

Live in the Philippines helps expats with visas, moving and other services regarding the Philippines.

A little Christmas Cheer!

Holidays / by

Yes, folks, it’s true, this is already my second article today!  What’s going on?  Usually I only write around three times per week on this site!

Well, the truth is that I wanted to come back again with a request to LiP readers.  Back a few weeks ago, I wrote an article about Heroes, in which I made an appeal for readers to support this year’s LiP Christmas Drive.  For those who weren’t around for the past couple of years, or just don’t remember, every year, for Christmas, Feyma and I go out and deliver food to needy families.  We usually (almost always) do it on December 24.  We deliver food mostly.  For adults, we give them basic food needs that a family could use to prepare a Christmas Dinner (Noche Buena).  Generally, our food baskets include things like meat, rice, salt, sugar, coffee, soy sauce and other basic food needs that are commonly used in Filipino families.

For the kids that we meet along the way, we have a little different treat for them.  We give them a gift that includes a couple of small toys, some candy, maybe some pencils or other items for school, and that kind of thing.  It is always very appreciated, whether it is for the kids or the adults.

In past years (we’ve been doing this for 6 or 7 years now, as I recall), we have been touched so many times by people that we have given to.  Very touching stories of families that are in severe need and had no idea how they would celebrate Christmas at all.  These kind of things have always made our giveaway very valuable and special to us.  It is this that is our favorite part of Christmas these days, even for our kids.

For 2 years now, this being the 3rd, I have asked LiP readers to help make this giveaway even bigger and grander than it could have been if the money came from only our family.  And, LiP readers have always come through in grand color!  Last year we reaised just a few dollars shy of $2,000 for the giveaway.  This year, we are falling behind that goal, but I hope you can pitch in a few dollars to bring a smile to the face of a Filipino child this Christmas.  I know that it will make you feel good to know that you have put a small amount of food on the table of a young hungry child.  That is why I am asking you to click on the “donate” button that you see here on this page and give something to help!  Even if you can only give $5, it would feed a couple of people for Christmas!  We have gotten contributions of $5 up to $200 this year, and last year one person even contributed $500 toward the giveaway!

Of course, I know that the economy is tight this year, but most of us reading this are fortunate that we are much better off than the poor people that we will be able to help.  Please consider it, and if you can give even a small contribution.

It is my commitment to you that 100% of the money that you donate will go toward helping poor people.  We do not use any of the money for administration.  We don’t use it to help our own extended family, or anything else.  Last year, we went up in the mountains of Bukidnon.  This year, we are still choosing a place, but it will be some rural place in Mindanao where the people don’t have much hope of enjoying the kind of Christmas that you and I will enjoy.

If you can help, I would appreciate it very, very much!  Just click on the “Donate” button, and you will be able to enter how much you want to contribute.  No amount is too small!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hi Bob: A great gesture on your part,and continued success with your good work. I will finally be in Butuan City in January with my permanent resident visa. Thanks for your advice in the past. The best to you and your family.

    Roberto.

    • Hi Roberto – Thank you for your nice comment, and thank you also for your contribution to the effort as well! It is highly appreciated. Enjoy your life in Butuan!

  2. I have always thought about the kind of impression this leaves on the recipients, especially the younger ones. I am sure they will enjoy a Christmas Dinner, the candy and other things but those will not last forever. What will last for many years, if not for the rest of their lives, maybe every Christmas they will have a pleasureable memory of the day the Jolly old man with the funny hat came to their house bearing food and gifts. Yes, there really is a ” Minda-Claus ” .

    I think the created memories in the mind of a youngster at the most festive time of the year can not be calculated on a ” memories per dollar ( or what ever currency you choose ) basis. The memories in the mind of a child will be priceless.

    • Hi Bob – It is always my hope that the giveaway leaves a long term positive feeling toward foreigners in general, and particularly Americans. Sort of my own little bit of personal diplomacy – in an unofficial way, of course! Thanks for your kind comment, and of course for your contribution to the effort!

  4. Hi Bob, I sent you a small donation, I would send more but have a huge extended family in the PI to send gifts to this year.

    • Hi Richard – Every amount goes toward the cause – big or small! No donation is too small to help! The amount you sent is just fine, and is greatly appreciated! Thank you very much.

  5. Hi, Bob!

    It’s always so delightful to have kind-hearted people like you around! Hey, Santa Claus doesn’t have to live in the North Pole, right? Everybody can be one! Happy Holidays!

  6. Thank you Bob and Feyma for your time and efforts. Can I go with you guys next year? 🙂 When I was at Phils. it was always a tradition for me to do the same of what you are doing esp. on Christmas. Most kids there are easy to please even when I just give them chocolates their smiles are up to their ears. Its unfortunate that our government there are not doing much for the poor. Most of them (politicians) are only approachable during election. Merry Christmas and Happy holidays to everyone!

  7. Donation duly made to your excellent cause. Seasons greetings to the Martin family and all LIP readers.

  8. Hi Bob, Just got back from Cebu yesterday where we got an early taste of Christmas, and did some similar santa gift giving of our own. I hope that your event is a success again this year. If fellow LIP readers could witness in person the happiness that these gifts make on people, it would be their best gift for themselves. I hope that many readers participate this year, and help you to to spread cheer to many.
    Just want to say an early Maayong Pasko! and hope that you, Feyma and your family have a Happy, Healthy New Year too. Thanks for the gifts of your wit and wisdom to all of us through the year.

    • Thank you, queeiebee! I’m glad that over the past year you have found my articles worth a read. Great to hear that you had an early taste of Christmas yesterday while in the City! Malipayong pasko!

      • You know Bob, I’ve come to see that my experience in the Philippines is truly one of a kind, and I get a kick out of that. I used to think though, that I knew a lot of what there was to know about the Philippines, but you’ve taught me many new things and made me re-adjust my thinking on others. Your years of experience have helped me a lot, as I’m sure many others in all the different stages of discovery about life here.
        Thanks for sharing it with me and everyone in a fair and interesting way.

        • Hi Queenie – My goodness… I am really shocked by your comment, to be honest! I feel humbled by it. I never really thought that my articles had that kind of affect on you. Although I don’t really know how long you have been here, I always thought you were a long term resident. And, I think you were in the peace corp, weren’t you?

          All I can say, queenie, is thank you for your kind words… and indeed they make me feel quite undeserving of such praise!

          • Hi Bob, My experiences over time have helped me a lot, but I think it’s a good idea to remain open to changes and possibly a new way of looking at things. The Philippines has changed in many ways and remains the same in many other ways, and I appreciate that you to are a student of the country and it’s people. Just wanted you to know that I’m glad to be learning along with you.

  9. Hi Bob,

    I want to thank you for your example in helping people for Noche Buena. Juramie and I are following your example. We are buying food for Noche Buena for a family from Tagbubunga, Leyte. I left it up to Juramie to decide who to help. She discussed the choice with her mom and decided to help an elderly person who is losing her vision. I have many friends in her home barangay and it pleases me to thing that we can do a little good and brighten someone holiday.

    Salamat,
    Jack