Photo courtesy of Aranzazu Youth Facebook Account
“Happy birthday Jesus! Happy birthday Jesus! Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday Jesus,” sung by the children from the different MSKs who were part of the Makibata 2018, a parish gift-giving event, in celebration for the upcoming birth of Jesus Christ.
Makibata 2018 is definitely not just like the typical birthday parties everyone attends to; it is a celebration where children receive birthday gifts instead of the celebrant Himself. This kind of celebration was made possible by the coordination of the Parish Youth Ministry and the Parish Pastoral Council.
The parish hall was filled with children from different Munting Sambayanang Kristyano (SMK) who wanted to wish the birthday celebrant, Jesus Christ, a happy birthday. Before the program officially began, the youth entertained the children with their talents through singing. It was eventually followed by the welcoming remarks of parish priest, Rev. Fr. Lopito “Bembol” Hiteroza.
Rejoicing and thanksgiving was the two main points of remarks by the dear parish priest. He emphasized different reasons for thanksgiving and these points were specifically for the gift of life, God’s grace and blessings, and gratitude for the presence of everyone who made it to the parish celebration. Fr. Bembol encouraged the young ones to believe in the essence of prayer and through this, they can thank the Lord not only for the blessings received but for the people around them. He concluded his message with a Christmas greeting where the children enthusiastically replied in chorus, “Thank you Father Bembol!”
The program was filled with games like Hep! Hep! Hooray!, Bring Me, and even a dance off. The activities may have worn out the young guests so the delicious food prepared by the volunteers and parish servers were later served.
Some of the children who were granted with their Christmas wish during the Makibata 2018.
Before proceeding to the most awaited part of the celebration, PPC President, Bro. Dani Villanueva gave a short but meaningful message to the children. He shared to them that the gifts were donated by the Simbang Gabi mass goers through the wish list hung in a Christmas tree that was displayed inside the parish. He also encouraged the children to be thankful to the generous parishioners. Bro. Dani finished the closing remarks with a prayer in thanksgiving for Christ, the birthday celebrant, and our savior and of course for Mary for her conception of Christ.
Gift-giving proper followed the closing remarks. Each of the young ones received gifts according to their age, which made everyone left the party with a huge smile on their faces.
It is understandable that due to time constraint, not all of the children were given the chance to win a prize in the party games but little did they know and yet to understand that they’re all winners in the celebration since their prize was already paid through Christ’s birth and it was our salvation.
Mariele Aquino
Junior Writer, Website Team, Media Ministry
Mariele R. Aquino is a member and website writer of the NSDA’s Media and Public Information Ministry, an aspiring future medical specialist and currently a STEM senior high school student in the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas. Her principle in life is that genuine success is something achieved through a path and battlefield of dodging a thousand bullets without the course of self-centered desires and conducts for temporary existential accomplishment. As a form of simple youthful religious fervor, Mariele used her skills, talent and dedication in writing to serve her Lord but also to grow not only intellectually but more on spiritually.
