So much has happened this year. Some are good and some are bad like the pork barrel scam, the disastrous wake of the earthquake and typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas. Nevertheless, whatever happened cannot dim the most celebrated feast of all – Christmas Day.

Many families may and will not have the usual festivities for the said event, but the essence of Christmas will never be forgotten.

The Field Office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development here in the Cordillera commemorated the Yuletide season, not with extravagance but with simplicity at its best which brought out the creativity and camaraderie of the employees.

A parol-making competition among the divisions and units, Social Development Welfare and Development (SWAD) Teams in the provinces, has been launched in the Field Office. The participants competed with their parols made out of indigenous materials.

Amelyn P. Cabrera, Institutional Development Division Head, said that the theme of the contest, “Simpleng gawa, pero bonggang-bonga”, aims to show the spirit of Christmas in line with the Department’s advocacy for austerity. She also said that this is one way of reminding the DSWD staff and those who will visit the Field Office that despite the disasters and challenges, we should never forget to take time and celebrate the birth of our Savior and be thankful for the blessings we have received for this year.

DSWD- CAR Regional Director Leonardo Reynoso said that behind the simplicity of the Christmas celebration of the Field Office is the real essence of Christmas which is gathering the family together and collectively commemorating the birth of our Lord. # DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, KAYE ANN O. MAPALO