CABANATUAN CITY – Learners from the indigenous communities were identified as this year’s recipients for the SM Megacenter’s Bears of Joy project, a ranking official from the Department of Education said.
Ma. Luisa Gamino, DepEd Nueva Ecija project and development officer, said their tie-up with the mall since 2015 has since brought “smiles to children who have not even experienced having stuffed toys.”
Gamino, who attended the mall’s recent Christmas launch along with city councilor Peewee Mendoza, said they have been distributing the toys to a minimum of 600 a year in selected schools.
IP learners are usually enrolled in the outskirt communities, she said, adding they would wish to give joy, especially from areas affected by the typhoon.
Assistant mall manager Romar Berja explained they underscore the joy Christmas should bring to children, thus the theme of their centerpiece was about drummer boys.
“It’s all about giving and receiving,” Berja said.
He explained that SM Megacenter pursues the “different programs of SM such as scholarship and everything” implemented through SM Foundation.
“Sa SM Megacenter, maraming salamat sa pagpili sa DepEd Nueva Ecija para maging beneficiary ng Bears of Joy Program at sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Nueva Ecija patuloy nating suportahan ang kanilang programa,” Gamino said.
