Photos by Christian Umali
Christmas Village of Love was successful on its opening last December 7, 2019, at the Parkmall Atrium in Mandaue. The project’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was spearheaded by none other than Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.
“This is the first year of Christmas Village of Love here in Mandaue. Before we got the ownership of this, we were composed of four friends who owned this until now: The owner of the franchising of Shakey’s Pizza, Allen Tan, Atty. Jenald Tequillo, Virginia Vice-President Stanley L. Go and Myself. We bought it from Clayton and Gina Togonon; they were the original owners. It took them 10 years to collect these and they had this for years in SM City.”
Mr. Adrian Lee, the project chair of the Christmas Village of Love under Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), also mentioned that he wished they, Clayton and Gina Togonon, had attended the opening, for he had prepared a speech for the original masterminds or the creators of this collection, the Christmas Village.
This idea first started and happened in SM with the same founders. It was called the Christmas Village of Hope back in SM but when they transferred the whole thing to its current venue, the new owners called it Christmas Village of Love and later on sold it to Mr. Lee and his friends.
The highlight of the Christmas Village was the four beneficiaries that the MCCI supported, in partnership with Sacred Heart Ateneo de Cebu batch ’94 as well as Parkmall.
The village has over 800 houses and around 20 villages, town or street districts which can be adopted by individuals, families, and organizations who wish to support the cause of the project.
The proceeds are said to be used to fund the following foundations: Kythe Foundation Inc., that helps children with cancer to undergo chemotherapy and provide treatment for the unprivileged; 12 Baskets Movement, a plastic recycling and livelihood initiative; Blue Plate Project, Sacred Heart Ateneo De Cebu’s year-round feeding program for malnourished children in public schools in Canduman; and finally Mandaue City College, to purchase and upgrade school equipment for underprivileged students.
The Christmas Village of love will be displayed until January 7, 2020. Additionally, it was also the day of the signing of contracts with their partners, Kythe Foundation Inc. and Parkmall.
The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry invites those in the public who want to support and adopt one house which costs 5,000 pesos. They can also be contacted through their official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ChristmasVillageOfLove. Christmas is all about giving and the MCCI wants to give back in this season of love.
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