(ANS – Manila) – On Christmas Eve  the President of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino III, with his sisters Kris Aquino, Pinky Aquino-Abelleda, Balsy Aquino- Cruz and Viel Aquino-Dee and his two nephews, led a ceremony of giving presents to 150 street children cared for in the “Joy Center” of the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Manila-Makati.

The original idea was that of the President’s sisters, but he then willingly joined in as the Aquino family gave the little guests at the Salesian centre some parcels which contained material for school as well as traditional foodstuffs.

“We hope that in this way we can make your Christmas a bit better,” the President said. “We are doing our best so that when Christmas comes it will be even brighter, and for your families too, so that you can be together and may all have the chance to  improve your  lives.”

Some of the children then expressed their wishes for Christmas: one asked that the President might have good health, and another for work for his unemployed father.

The President said that the Salesian community had always been close to his family, especially during the years of martial law. “We have tremendous problems in running our country, but, when there are those who help us, as we have seen in the recent floods, the task becomes much easier” he added.

In addition, in his Christmas Message, the President asked the people of the Philippines to give their support to the aid projects and to the reconstruction of the communities devastated by the floods  caused by the Sendong typhoon.

Published 30/12/2011