Manila's poor children reenact Holy Family's search for shelter
Event promotes the genuine spirit of Christmas, organizers say
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila mingles with children from the
city's slums after a Dec. 18 activity reenacting the search for shelter
of the Holy Family. (Photo by Mary dela Serna)
Some 300 children from the slums of Manila marched to the beat of
Christmas carols in an attempt to reenact the search for shelter of
Joseph and Mary prior to the birth of Jesus.
"We see this event in the light of the urban poor children's search for home, peace and decent life," said Tina Jurado, a community organizer of the Urban Poor Associates, who sponsored the Dec. 18 activity.
The activity was patterned on a traditional Filipino street drama called "panunuluyan," or "seeking shelter," where villagers move from house to house reenacting the journey of Joseph and Mary.
Jurado said this year's activity carries the theme "Jesus once was a child" because the genuine spirit of Christmas should be found in children.
"The theme also asked us to let the little child in all of us free to where we can find simple joys in sharing," Jurado said.
"Let us remember that Jesus once was a child and these children are his friends, brothers, and sisters," said Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila during Mass for the children.
"Society must help in giving education, love, nutrition, care and an environment suitable for children," Cardinal Tagle said before giving his blessing to the children.
Robert Reyes, known as the "running priest" for his penchant to run for various causes, said children are beautiful because "they reflect the truth."
"A world without truth is violent and aggressive," Father Reyes said.
Children from Manila's slums join a Dec. 18 activity to reenact the Holy Family's search for shelter. (Photo by Mary dela Serna)
Mary Joy Delotavo, a 10-year old girl from the impoverished district of Estero de San Miguel, was surprised that the children were given food during the activity.
"This is only the second time I tasted (fried) chicken. It's delicious," the young girl said.
"I hope I can share this with my siblings back home," added the girl, the fifth of eight siblings whose father died of tuberculosis in 2011.
Dennis Murphy of the Urban Poor Associates said every day urban poor children face problems of violence, homelessness, sickness, lack of opportunity and hunger.
"This 'panunuluyan' is a reminder that we must take care of them," said Murphy.
UNICEF estimates that some 1.7 million children in 570,000 Metro Manila households live in informal settlements, lacking food, health, potable water, sanitation, education, and other basic necessities.
"We see this event in the light of the urban poor children's search for home, peace and decent life," said Tina Jurado, a community organizer of the Urban Poor Associates, who sponsored the Dec. 18 activity.
The activity was patterned on a traditional Filipino street drama called "panunuluyan," or "seeking shelter," where villagers move from house to house reenacting the journey of Joseph and Mary.
Jurado said this year's activity carries the theme "Jesus once was a child" because the genuine spirit of Christmas should be found in children.
"The theme also asked us to let the little child in all of us free to where we can find simple joys in sharing," Jurado said.
"Let us remember that Jesus once was a child and these children are his friends, brothers, and sisters," said Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila during Mass for the children.
"Society must help in giving education, love, nutrition, care and an environment suitable for children," Cardinal Tagle said before giving his blessing to the children.
Robert Reyes, known as the "running priest" for his penchant to run for various causes, said children are beautiful because "they reflect the truth."
"A world without truth is violent and aggressive," Father Reyes said.
Children from Manila's slums join a Dec. 18 activity to reenact the Holy Family's search for shelter. (Photo by Mary dela Serna)
Mary Joy Delotavo, a 10-year old girl from the impoverished district of Estero de San Miguel, was surprised that the children were given food during the activity.
"This is only the second time I tasted (fried) chicken. It's delicious," the young girl said.
"I hope I can share this with my siblings back home," added the girl, the fifth of eight siblings whose father died of tuberculosis in 2011.
Dennis Murphy of the Urban Poor Associates said every day urban poor children face problems of violence, homelessness, sickness, lack of opportunity and hunger.
"This 'panunuluyan' is a reminder that we must take care of them," said Murphy.
UNICEF estimates that some 1.7 million children in 570,000 Metro Manila households live in informal settlements, lacking food, health, potable water, sanitation, education, and other basic necessities.
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