Living its brand promise of nurturing communities, AboitizLand treated a total of 500 children to a “joyous and abundant” Christmas in the holiday season just past.

The homegrown real estate leader prepared sumptuous holiday fare and loads of gifts for the children of Barangay Bacayan in Talamban, Cebu City and Barangay Canduman in Mandaue City.during its Annual Christmas Party and Gift-Giving at the Bacayan and Canduman Sports Complexes.

More than the material gifts that the company provided for the occasion, the value of the AboitizLand Annual Christmas Party and Gift-Giving is also in the volunteerism of its employees who share both time and talent to ensure that the children have the most fun-filled experience to remember for a long time to come.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Canduman party, volunteer Cheryl Desucatan, HR Admin Officer of AboitizLand, says the activity makes Christmas “real” for her and her teammates.  “It is a celebration of love, peace and happiness.  This is a huge crowd, but we are able to manage because of the overwhelming selflessness of our volunteers.  You can see they’re giving their all to make the kids enjoy today.”

The indigent children look forward to the AboitizLand parties, now five years running.  They are treated to tried-and-true kids’ favorite foodstuff and have a whole afternoon watching performances and playing games with popular fastfood chain mascots invited specifically for the event. 

Each child went home with a backpack of school supplies and assorted goodies, for which AboitizLand, its sister-companies and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. generously contributed.

Jeanne Ouano, AboitizLand Vice-President for Corporate Planning and Corporate Social Responsibility explains, “We’d like to be good neighbors and this is one of the many ways that we show the essence of good neighborliness is sharing our blessings with the communities around us.  It is our way of thanking the people for accepting us into their communities – for allowing us to be their partners, helping their communities grow.”

AboitizLand, AFI and the other companies in the group have year-round programmes towards fostering development within the communities that they operate in.

AboitizLand is conducting pilot sessions of its seven-month “You Too Can Be A Hero” programme at the Don Calixto Yongco Elementary School in Barangay Tawason, Mandaue City.  The course has enriched the school’s Grade VI curriculum as AboitizLand volunteer employees conduct experiential learning sessions on Math, Science, English, Art Appreciation and self-development every Friday afternoon.