Each time we hear these lines in Christmas carols such as “Joy to the world” and “…a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices”, we are reminded that the Season to be jolly is indeed here. The Holidays conjure images of families gathering around a festive table or under a twinkling tree stuffed with presents, a dramatic display of a peaceful manger, Santa Claus going around making children smile. If the Season means family togetherness, fellowship, food, and merry gift-giving, then Christmas came early at #YourFamilyFriendlyCity, Lancaster New City.
Lancaster New City by PRO-FRIENDS, a master-planned property development, is home to many professionals and families from around Metro Manila seeking a quieter, secure, and more serene living. The property development that spans across portions of General Trias, Imus, and Kawit in Cavite, provides not only developed and integrated infrastructure, well-designed facilities, amenities, and wide-open spaces but also champions the concept of a sense of family and community through its GalingLNC community development programs.
This year’s GalingLNC ChristMasaya is hinged on the concept of #TuwaAtPagasa – timely reasons why we happily look forward to a better Christmas this year. Through various online and on-ground activities, residents happily took part in the celebration safely at the comforts of their homes.
Christmasaya 2021 Float Parade
One of the highlights of the annual celebration is the unique Community Christmas Caravan with Santa Claus mounted on a light-filled sleigh-inspired float bedecked with Christmas trimmings touring around Advincula Avenue near The Square to collect gifts from the residents. The young and old alike were all smiles as they watched and waved at Santa from their porches, gates, front yards, and by the sidewalk to the floats pass by.
This much-anticipated Galing LNC ChristMasaya Float Parade captured the hearts of the young and the young-at-heart by bringing Santa to their homes. But instead of Santa giving gifts, volunteer homeowners are the ones who offer Regaluhan bags through Santa that will, in turn, be distributed to disadvantaged communities and surrounding barangays, including Gawad Kalinga Alapan 2-B, Imus.
Christmas Bazaar
In support of Lancaster New City’s small business owners, aptly called “Buyanigosyantes” (hero entrepreneurs), a 2-day bazaar was also held as a venue for them to promote and sell their products.
This year’s Buyani Weekend Market, held at St. Edward School-Faith Campus, provided a venue where resident #Buyanegosyantes of LNC displayed and sold their wares. These pop-up stores featured bags, condiments, clothes, masks, handicrafts, and other Holiday gift ideas, while food stalls sold snacks, fruits and vegetables, street food, rice meals, desserts, fresh juices, and coffee. Like last year, the weekend bazaar goers observed strictest health and safety protocols including wearing of masks, and the practice of social distancing.
GalingLNC Awards
GalingLNC Awards 2021 recognized residents, youth, villages, clubs, and key partners who have made significant contributions to the community and exemplify the core values of the GalingLNC resident movement of better together, service, and respect. It also honored volunteers, especially those whose tireless efforts at the Lancaster New City Vaccination Hub paved the way for the complete inoculation of 8,342 residents. Their efforts brought another recognition to Lancaster New City, as it was recently recognized by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordination Agency for its contribution to the COVID-response in the country.
“I have been volunteering since elementary and high school days because my parents inspired me to do volunteerism. In Lancaster, volunteers like me are considered important and an essential contributor to the community, which encourages me to volunteer more to Lancaster New City,” Luster Yu, a Youth Awardee, said. Luster Anabieza thanked the whole community for believing in the power of the youth and encouraged the next generation to be active in shaping the community. “For my fellow youth out there—you are not alone, we are here for you, we believe in you, and together, we can do great things for our community and our country,” he urged.
Like Yu, Art Sales, a representative of Manchester 12 who is another awardee, also started volunteering at a young age as a Boy Scout. “Volunteerism is in my system already, and it’s my life. If we do not step up and volunteer, who do we expect to help us? Volunteering here in Lancaster New City, will not benefit me alone, but I volunteer in the name of my children’s children who are also residents here,” Sales expressed.
PRO-FRIENDS Vice President Culture and Community Development, Ms. Issa Cuevas-Santos, thanked over 1,000 GalingLNC volunteers: “In a pandemic, you have shown us the power of community, creativity, commitment to bring hope and make positive changes. Thank you for making Lancaster New City a model community where families can thrive while building a Christmas tradition that brings to life the true meaning of the Christmas season. Dahil sa inyo, maraming pamilya ang magkakaroon ng ChristMasaya na puno ng tuwa at pag-asa,” she said.
The #GalingLNCChristMasaya2021 has once again proven that despite disruptions of unprecedented proportions, we can still creatively celebrate. Lancaster New City community reminded us that as long as you have joy and hope in your heart, we all can look forward to a better Christmas.
ADVT