Employees from SM Malls in Marilao, San Jose Del Monte, Pulilan, and Baliwag took over the role of Santa Claus to spread hope and good cheer for about 950 underprivileged individuals, group and communities in Bulacan through its Christmas Kalinga Cheers held on December 14, 2022.
A joint project of SM Foundation Inc and SM Supermalls, the Christmas Kalinga Cheers aims to give love and happiness to communities and less fortunate families in the province.
For this year, SM City Marilao decided to up the ante by making Christmas extra special to Senior Citizens and marginalized communities living in the coastal areas, river banks, and creeks.
Some 300 Christmas Kalinga packs was distributed by the mall. The recipients, who were pre-identified by the LGU and MSWD, came from the poorest and displaced families living in slum areas of Lambakin, Tabing Ilog, Saog, Lias and Ibayo.
Volunteers from SM City San Jose Del Monte gave love and heartwarming surprises to 300 families from Purok 4 Sitio San Isidro, Brgy Tungkong Mangga San Jose Del Monte.
The small community was instantly filled with joy as Christmas Kalinga packs were given. Most of the recipients are informal settlers making a living out of construction, waste collection, and tricycle driving.
Reaching out to the less affluent families in Barangay Pagala, SM City Baliwag distributed at least 100 Christmas Kalinga packs and additional 100 Christmas Kalinga packs were also given to the local transport group in Baliwag.
A total of 150 Christmas kalinga packs were likewise distributed by SM Center Pulilan to families living in Barangay Sto. Cristo, Barangay Longos, and Barangay Cutcot and local transport group .
“Everybody has a holiday season tradition. The Christmas Kalinga Cheers is one of SM’s holiday tradition of giving hope and reaching out to those in need. We wanted to bring joy to the less privileged and put a smile on their faces” shares SM City Marilao Mall Manager Emmanuel Gatmaitan.
Over 23,327 Christmas Kalinga packs are being distributed across the country.