Toreja Family And Friends Distribute Gifts to Day Care Students

Ibaan kids getting ready for their gifts.

Already on its second year, the Toreja family, led by husband and wife Mayor Danny and Dra. Patricia Toreja, again distributed gifts, toys and foods to all Day Care students from all barangays at Dr. Juan A. Pastro Memorial National High School (DJAPMNHS), December 21.

Together with Barangay Health Workers and some of their parents, the beneficiaries totaled to around 590, a little more compared to previous year, which almost filled the whole of DJAPMNHS' covered court.

Toreja family members who took some time off to be with the kids include the family's matriarch Lola Crisanta, Rose Toreja-Villaruel and Aileen Reyes-Toreja.

The "gift-giving" was also being sponsored by some of the family's close friends who are also nursing a soft spot for Ibaan kids, such as Isay Marasigan and Marilou Marasigan. They also donated and contributed gifts and toys that painted smiles on the faces of Day Care students.

Toreja family and friends.

The program started with Dra. Patricia expressing her gratitude to everyone who came. She also personally thanked the Barangay Health Workers, Day Care teachers, Municipal Social Welfare Development Officers and the traffic enforcers who assisted, brought the kids to DJAPMNHS, and made the event possible. Thus, at one part of the program, they were given the chance to take any toys or gifts of their choice for their own kids.

The family members and friends were also given the opportunity to speak of their Christmas messages. All of them emphasized the value of gift-giving and sharing one's blessings as one of the true spirits of Christmas.

Mayor Danny Toreja on the other hand explicitly mentioned his family's purpose and intention for the said activity.

Kids on their noses during parlor games.

"First and foremost, our family is very thankful for the blessings that everyone is receiving. We all understand that kids should be able to enjoy Christmas the most possible especial way. For that, we are doing this "gift-giving" to return and share the blessings that our family and friends are receiving. And my wife Dra. Pat is actually the one who has been insisting that the kids should be on top of the list. So here we are. And hopefully, everyone will a very Merry Christmas this year, specially our Ibaan kids. And we hope to do this every year", he uttered on his speech.

To make the event more remarkable, mascots Jollibee and Yum graciously thrilled the kids with their dance number. They took great time taking photos with the kids as well. Even Mayor Toreja also lavished the moment of being with the most popular mascot character in the country.

Erstwhile, everyone enjoyed a chicken-full of meal provided by Jollibee.