Christmas Tree of Hope

Bantay Bata 163 celebrates Christmas in the very spirit of sharing and spreading goodwill… with the launching of the Christmas Tree of Hope…

Proudly standing front and center of the SM City of Davao, the 12-foot tall Tree of Hope symbolizes the efforts of Bantay Bata 163 in building a better future for our children…

The Bantay Bata 163 Christmas Tree of Hope stands at the very heart of SM City Davao

The event was attended by some of Bantay Bata Davao's Board of Advisors such as the prominent Mrs. Patria Montemayor and Ms. Margie Moran-Floriendo, Representative from the City Government of Davao in the person of Hon. Angela Librado-Trinidad , and the Mr. Stanley Lau of Marco Polo Davao.

Left: Board of Advisors Mrs. Patria Montemayor

Center: Stanley Lau of Marco Polo Davao, BB163 Program Manager Ms. Ella Tan, Councilor Angela Librado, Board of Advisors Ms. Margie Moran, ABS-CBN Davao Station Manager Ms. Trisha Corpuz and co.

Right: Mr. Chad Borja performing for BB 163 Davao

The launching was highlighted by performances from the kids from Bantay Bata Children's Home, A song number from Mr. Chad Borja and finally, a series of lively Christmas carols and serenades from famous the St. Joseph Parish Choir of Davao City.

Top Left: Finance Officer Jenny Bendijo, Production Officer Kristine Grace Cutin;
Top Right: Various displays ;
Bottom: BB163 supporters purchasing items

For every Merchandise you buy, ranging from packages worth P200, P300 or P500, you get a free BB163 Christmas ornament that you can keep or place on the Christmas Tree Of Hope. The package may include a Children's Home-made fruitcake / carrot cake / special muffins, a Bantay Bata T-shirt, A "163: Ten Years of Bantay Bata" Bag and various BB163 All-purpose postcards. Surely, a treat to enjoy for yourself or to share with your loved ones.

With the season of sharing and giving well on its way, may you remember the children who need your love and generosity, the children all over the country who call for your attention. With your participation in this activity, you will be making a step in partaking of the nurturing and protection of these children.

As a parting message, Ms. Margie Moran-Floriendo, one of BB163 Davao's prominent Board of Advisors, sends her hope for this joyous launching. "My hope is that everyone who enjoys Christmas who always looks forward to Christmas as a family affair will also remember that there are children who have no family, who have been abused and who are with Bantay Bata and are trying to enjoy Christmas… So in the hope that you will remember those that do not have the opportunity that we have we'll remember to give something to these children."

And with this Christmas Tree of Hope project, we are striving to give the children of Bantay Bata something to look forward to this Christmas!

Principal's Convention General Santos

The Mindanao-wide campaign against corporal punishment is well on its way as it spreads out to the education sector in General Santos City.

Principals from various elementary and secondary schools, as well as representatives from the Department of Education and City Social Work Development in Gen san were invited to participate in a discussion to put an end to using physical and degrading punishments in school.

The discussion revolved on the issue of using punishment as a disciplinary approach imposed by teachers. Especially that there are are few cases in the city of parents complaining about the treatment of their children inside the schools.

The CSWDO chief is optimistic that school administrators and faculty alike will start putting an end to the form of discipline that instills fear in children.


For Ms. Arabeque Tw Batilong, Gen San's CSWDO chief, the amajor thing to be stressed in this forum was the importance of re-orienting the teachers about the current trends in combating corporal punishment, "Mas maganda if maaware ang mga teachers of this Positive Discipline so that yung mga punitive na mga ginagawa nilang forms of discipline magbago ang kanilang pananaw."