HINATUAN, Surigao del Sur – Elements of the Army’s 36th Infantry Battalion (IB) were able to put a smile in every child’s lips when the troops provided gifts for the 80 day-care pupils of sitio’s Bincongan and San Agustin Day-Care Centers, both of Barangay Bigaan in Hinatuan town, Surigao del Sur.

It was learned that the day-care worker, Mam Ema M. Bartolazo, of Sitio Bingcongan, had been in the area for about 13 years, was assisting her pupils in receiving their “Christmas gifts” from the troopers of the 36th IB.

According to Bartolazo, this is her first time to have a Christmas party sponsored by the soldiers of the Philippine Army (PA).

She also said that the 36th IB was the first one to conduct a Christmas party that benefited by her young pupils, where she expressed her appreciation.

She even said that they have not conducted any parlour game because they don’t have the fund for prizes, but this dilemma was gone at least for now where the Army troopers prepared games and prizes to let the children enjoy their last day of school for this calendar year.

“Parlour games such as banana eating contest, trip to Jerusalem and the like were played by the children, and since the venue was at the sitio’s basketball court, there were children who were not day-care pupils but would like to play, were also included. This activity brought the children to realize that they shouldn’t be afraid of the military because all of them are good and child-friendly individuals,” she said.

As this developed, Bincongan village chieftain Nicasio C. Ybañez was very pleased with the activity because his place was the first beneficiary of the “Pamaskong Handog ng 36IB” with the theme “Diwa ng Kapaskuhan susi sa kaunlaran at kapayapaan.”

The Army believes that the true essence of Christmas is making the children smile.