Photos by Mr. Mike Midem

This time it’s different.

Mentors of the Ateneo de Naga High, through the efforts of the High School Faculty and Staff club and the Office of the Coordinator for Student Activities and Community Program, sang favorite Christmas songs to poor families and distributed gifts in adopted communities of the high school on December 17, 18, and 19, 2010.

Doing away with the traditional sing-and-collect routine during the Yuletide season, the high school mentors braved the dirt roads and poorly-lighted trails to the homes of pre-selected needy families of Urban Poor in Pacol, Sitio Bagong Sirang in San Felipe, and Gawad Kalinga Village in Ratay, Calabanga, Camarines Sur.

“The teachers and office staff spent days practicing the songs for the three-day caroling,” according to Mr. Joseph Bedural, President of the High School Faculty and Staff Club.    

According to Mr. Quejada, point persons in the adopted communities provided the names and whereabouts of families most in need of sustenance. After the series of heartfelt songs, messages of blessings were recited and families were given grocery packs and other goods.    

“This is an effort for the mentors to be single-minded in showing generosity to the needy,” Mr. Bedural added.