City Government of Valenzuela
Public Information Office
PRESS RELEASE
December 10, 2007
"Christmas Season Begins With Lighting Of The Tree Of Hope"
The City Government of Valenzuela marks the celebration of the Christmas Season with the ceremonial lighting of the Tree of Hope, a practice that has became a tradition in the City since it was started in 2004.
Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian said, “The Tree of Hope signifies how the Valenzuelanos face the various challenges of life and cope with the demands of our changing times. And that amidst the trials that our City faces, we tirelessly strive for excellence because of the hope that we have in us and the faith that we can do a lot of greater things.”
The Tree of Hope Lighting ceremony was attended by City officials and guest from National Government offices and agencies. Among them were Cong Rex Gatchalian, Cong. Magi Gunigundo, Vice Mayor Eric Martinez, City councilors, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernado and DILG Regional Director Roberto C. Abejero.
This year 2007, the Tree of Hope is lit for the learners of Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the City in hope that may exercise their right to education and achieve a brighter future through it. At present, ALS has 640 learners in 23 areas located in 18 different barangays of the City. The learning centers are supervised by 15 Instructional Managers who are tasked to provide students with necessary academic education.
Valenzuela First District Representative Rex Gatchalian, who is also the Chairman of the Tree of Hope Committee, lauded the learners of ALS. He said in his all Filipino message, “Sa ating mga ALS students, saludo kami sa inyong pagpapahalaga sa edukasyon, sa inyong tapang, sipag at lakas ng loob na muling mag-aral at makatapos. Bibihira lamang ang mga taong may katangiang katulad ninyo na hindi natatakot sa mga pagsubok. na buo ang loob na magsimulang muli sa buhay.”
In the course of the program, Terisita Castro, an ALS graduate, gave a testimony on her experience with ALS and how it helped her pursue her dreams which also served as an encouragement to other students who are present. Mrs. Castro, aged 35 and a mother of two kids, is on her fourth year as a student of Pamantasang Lungsod ng Valenzuela with a course on BS Education major in Mathematics, and she is expected to graduate this coming March of next year.
Mayor Gatchalian cited Mrs. Castro as an example for Valenzuelanos to follow. In his Message of Hope, alluding to the testimony of Terisita Castro, he stated in Filipino, “Ang ‘pag-asang’ ito na nasa bawat isa sa atin ang siyang dahilan kung bakit tayo nanatiling naglilingkod, masigasig na nagsisikap, at patuloy na nangangarap para sa mas mataas na antas na pamumuhay at para sa isang mas maunlad na Valenzuela - Lungsod na titingalain at magiging huwaran, hindi lamang sa Kalakhang Maynila, kundi maging sa buong bansa. Isang Valenzuela na kikilalaning May Disiplina!”
The Alternative Learning System is a program spearheaded by the Department of Education to give hope and chance to the out-of-school youth who were not able to finish high school to enter college and pursue their dreams. This is made possible through a learning system that equips the students of necessary knowledge to pass the exam for eligibility to acquire college education.
MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando in his speech, said, ”Through all-out support given by the Mayor Gatchalian and the City Government on ALS, the chances of Valenzuelanos to achieve their dreams have become greater, if not ensured.”
MMDA Chairman Bayani also donated Php 30,000.00 to the Alternative Learning System as an early Christmas gift. The Chairman also said the he was honored to be invited by Mayor Gatchalian, his most beloved and favorite mayor in the whole of Metro Manila.
Pastor Gabriel Delos Reyes, one of the IMs of ALS, expressed his gratitude in behalf of all the IMs and learners. He said, “We are most thankful to our beloved Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian. Your support to ALS gives us more hope to carry on with our mission and strive even harder for greater things.”
The Tree of Hope was previously lit for different causes. It was first lit in 2004 for the 1000 children of KASARIVAL and HARV, who were displaced by the Northrail Project. It was again lit in 2005 when it was dedicated to more than 500 specially-abled children of Valenzuela, as well as in 2006 for all the Senior Citizens of the City.
The celebration was attended by approximately 900 guests. And to lighten the occasion, there were also performances from the Valenzuela Violin Ensemble, Valenzuela City Band, ALS Learners themselves, and Pinoy Pop Superstar Champion MAricris Garcia. Give-away gifts were also given to ALS learners and IMs.