CHRISTMAS IN OUR HEARTS

A Narrative Report on Alay sa Belen 2019

Luis Mikael P. Paz
11 ABM 1

As Jose Marie Chan mentioned in his song, "Wherever there are people giving
gifts, exchanging cards, I believe that Christmas is truly in their heart". As part of the
tradition in Yuletide season and Outreach Program of the University of La Salette
Highschool Department, the Alay sa Belen was done last December 13, 2019. We, the
11 ABM 1 family became united in extending our hands to the needy and poor as we
adopted Padua Family from Batal, City of Santiago. We give different gifts and simple
greetings to them.

The Alay sa Belen was organized, first, we, together with our adviser assigned
different working committees to effectively disseminate the task. I was assigned in the
program committee while Lady Quirante, Mychaela Nicole Saguibo, Pia Dequilo,
Michaela Vergara and Sherly Corpus was assigned in the Transportation, Food,
Logistics, Collection and documentation committee respectively.Jomel acted as our
head for the Alay sa Belen. Our adviser accompanied the head for the Alay sa Belen,
the Logistic Committee Chairperson, our Class President and Treasurer in buying gifts
for the family. Besides, we also renovate their house because it is dangerous when
calamities will strike. Our fund was generated from our Class Fund and Mandatory
contribution of the Homeroom HSA of our section. Through this discipline our Alay sa
Belen became smooth. When the day came that we need to put into action, all our
plans, we became united in helping the family and trying to feel what they always
conquer everyday. Also, we need to partake to their life by knowing what is their story
and try to connect in our lives. For me, those objectives are successfully attained
because of the program of our Alay sa Belen and one of the highlight of it is the Gospel
Reading and Bible Reflection. At the end of the program, I observe many things. One of
those was the reality that in this world poverty is very evident and also I saw the crab-
mentality of Filipinos. The crab mentality became evident when the neighbor of the
beneficiary say that they are also poor and we also need to help them, while the another
one commented on the things that we are doing. It is disgusting because instead of
being happy that they neighbor somewhat have a blessing, they are arguing saying that
they need to have that also. It is an indication that many Filipinos are very competitive
and sometimes in acquiring this characteristics so much, they forgot to help one another
instead having a crab mentality.

But beside of that observation, I can say that I've learned a lot from the said
activity. For me there are three main lesson that I can relate from it. First, be thankful,
as I saw to the beneficiary as evident in their message "Thank you, nakita yo kami nga
marigrigat", it implies that however big or small the blessing that you receive, it is still a
blessing that we need to thank for. Second, don't be insecure, like the neighbor of the
beneficiary where they complain why the beneficiary have a gift while they don't receive
something. Not judging them but maybe this people may not be always contented in
what they have so they always assume that if the other person have this thing they
should have to.Lastly, be helpful. Sometimes in this world because of the busy and
somewhat toxic society we forgot to see whom we need to help. Maybe because we
always think how we can make our lives better and we disregard persons who will not
help us in achieving our goals. But there is a treasure in helping and that is absolute
happiness. As I experienced that my five pesos weekly due, a hundred pesos
contribution of my parents and my presence in the program will greatly give smile and
happiness to the beneficiary that also made me happy and joyful at the same time.
Helping is not an obligation but rather it is an opportunity to make other people and
ourselves happy, it is in us if we will take that opportunity of let it go.
 IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE TEAR
A Narrative Report on Christmas Party 2019
Luis Mikael P. Paz
11 ABM 1

In Andy Williams song," It's the most wonderful time of the year", it is stated that
Christmas is the happiest season of all, with those holiday greetings and gay happy
meetings. Indeed, in Christmas we gather for merry-making and being joyful for the
Savior's Birthday is near. Last December 15 of the previous year, we, the 11 ABM 1
family celebrate the yuletide season together through a Christmas party. It is a Modern
Filipino Inspired Christmas Party. It started with a Walk of the Stars where each one of
us ramp with our attire in the party. Followed by a prayer and so with games. The
games are indeed give happiness to us as well as it builds camaraderie between each
member of different groups. Here are th games we played,Palambimutan ng
talong,Saging Ko, Kainin Mo,Putukan na,Oreo Challenge,Pitik Calamansi,Chubby
Bunny,Sing Mo to, and Paper Kiss. Moving forward, we also awarded different awards
such as Idol 11 ABM 1, Mutya ng 11 ABM 1, Early RedCock award, Joy dishwashing
award and such. This awards are simple appreciation in the meaningful contribution of
individuals who exceed in different field. After that, we had our lunch together, followed
by general cleaning and home sweet home.

This is my first Christmas party in University of La Salette and in that first time I saw
the willingness of my classmates to participate. As they say, we cannot please
everybody, it is evident to my classmates who use their cellphones during program. The
Christmas Party run smoothly. The decoration is elegant as well as the sash used in
awarding ceremony. During the preparation until in the conduct of activity and general
cleaning, I saw the people who indeed responsible and value the responsibility given to
them. I also witness the people who only act when our adviser told them to do or when
my adviser arrived. This kind of activity will show their true colors.

In this Christmas party, I learned that gathering is such a great opportunity to

celebrate with each other. Also, Christmas is a time of being happy in the blessings that
we have specially the blessings of having people whom we celebrate with, a blessing of
time that you gather, sharing stories, laughter and happiness to each other. As a song
said "Christmas won't be the same without you", indeed my Christmas is not that so
happy without the memories and lessons of my 11 ABM 1 family, a blessing and a
source of joy in my yuletide season. A family worth to treasure and loved. A home full of
happiness and joy even sometimes quarrel and misunderstanding is present. And a
thing that I should be proud of.