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Year-End Christmas Celebrations: A Gota Tradition
Soon after the end of Word War II and the Japanese Occupation,La Protección de la Infancia, under its president Judge Natividad Almeda-Lopez, established the first private pediatric hospital in the country — simply known as the Manila Children’s Hospital. As the first specialty hospital of its kind, MCH drew child patients with various diseases common to children in the 1940s and 50s. It also drew doctors and medical practitioners who understood that treatment of children required specific care. For example, pediatric patients also needed play and fun.
Judge Almeda Lopez thought of bringing a small circus to the MCH to cheer up those children who had to remain confined during Christmas time. The clowns and magicians also performed for the malnourished children of the Gota de Leche program. Small gifts were personally distributed by the lady judge, who really enjoyed seeing the faces of the children light up when she handed the presents, no matter how small.
After her passing in 1977, her daughter, Mrs. Lourdes Almeda-Lopez, as Executive Director of the organization, continued the year-end gift-giving. Thanks to the support of both individual anonymous donors and of NGO sponsors, the Children’s Christmas party has brought cheer to thousands of families over the decades. Last December 10, beneficiaries from Sampaloc, San Andres, and Malabon, spent the morning in celebration, with spaghetti, ice-cream, pop corn, balloons, stuffed toys and all sorts of gifts and prizes. The celebration was also held in memory of Justice Almeda-Lopez and Mrs. Lourdes Almeda-Lopez Sarabia.
This year, the 60 breastfeeding mothers and their babies had their own celebration, with the support of “kapamilya” from ABS-CBN News and Currents Affairs, and friends from the National College of business and Arts, and Kamuning Bakery and Cafe.
