Paskuhan sa Gabaldon: A Tradition of Hope

On 7 December 2024, almost a hundred members of the Ateneo de Manila Grade School (AGS) community - students, teachers, staff, and parents - volunteered for the annual Paskuhan in the Gawad Kalinga Kalayaan Village in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija. This annual tradition is made possible through the collaboration of the AGS Social Involvement Office and Gawad Kalinga-Ateneo, and the encouragement of former Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Ben Nebres SJ.

Paskuhan volunteers braved a long ride to reach the far-flung GK community in Gabaldon. The Paskuhan has always been a way for the AGS to be present for the community, especially during Christmas. The Paskuhan volunteers were happily welcomed by the GK Kalayaan community with warm smiles, a showcase of talents, and home-cooked meals that gave the event the appearance and feels of a fiesta. The excitement and happiness of the children from GK Kalayaan were evident as they participated in various activities prepared by the AGS Paskuhan volunteers. The activities prepared by the Paskuhan volunteers included face painting, arts and crafts making, games, and storytelling.

While the activities were ongoing, some volunteers interacted with the families in the GK Kalayaan Village in an activity called “Kapitbahayan.” During the Kapitbahayan, our volunteers had a “kuwentuhan” session with the families and also engaged in a  community singing session in the Chapel.

The Paskuhan 2024 concluded with a simple gift-giving activity where the youngest members of the AGS Community, our Kindergarten students, had shared their Bigay Puso savings. These were then used to purchase Christmas food packs which were given to the GK Kalayaan families. The children of GK Kalayaan were also gifted with toys that were given by the Grades 2 and 3 students of AGS.

This yearly tradition of the AGS community is a testament to its members’ commitment to be pilgrims of hope and to be persons for and with others. The GK Kalayaan Village in Gabaldon is already part of the AGS family, and will continue to be for years to come.