Armed with their tambourines and maracas, the foundation volunteers sang Christmas carols to 10 of the poorest households in barangay Looc, Mandaue City, barangays Mambaling and Pardo in Cebu City and barangay Lagtang in Talisay City Tuesday night.
Headed by The Freeman General Manager Melandro Mendoza, the volunteers braved the heavy downpour to bring the Yuletide cheer to the different houses via carols, grocery items and toys from different sponsors, including the Operation Damayan of the Philippine Star.
"Caroling makes Christmas special. We want to reach out to others not only by giving gifts but also by spreading the joy of Christmas," Mendoza said.
Melanie, who hails from Negros but who has been living in Lagtang for two year now was surprised when the carolers refused the P20 she handed to them and instead gave her a box of groceries for her family.
"Karon ra ko makahibalo nga ingon niani diay ni diri nga ang manaygon maoy manghatag," Melanie said.
The Cuico family, also in Lagtang Talisay City, meanwhile, asked the carolers to stop singing because they do not have money. The carolers, however, went on singing and Guillermo Cuico, the head of the family, got the surprise of his life when, after singing, the carolers handed to him groceries and toys for his children.
"Nauwaw gyud ko ninyo. Pasensya lang gyud. Dugay gyud mi'y miabli kay nangatulog naman mi unya kung amo pud ablihan, wala man pud mi'y ikahatag," Guillermo, who is a construction worker with three children, said.
The Freeman Foundation carolers were turned away several times. In some cases, they were also given money by the people they sang for. But always, the families they sang Christmas carols for were surprised that The Freeman Foundation carolers brought gifts and surprises for them. - Garry B. Lao