WITH offices closed tomorrow for the holidays, and several non-working days ahead, some Capitol officials said they will spend the Christmas break with their families.
Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said she is looking forward to seeing her Manila-based children and grandchildren as they come home to give gifts to orphans in the 5th district in north Cebu.
“Our Christmas will be spent in two orphanages—Batang Pinangga in Carmen and the other one is Uswag,” she told Cebu Daily News.
Magpale said her family is preparing 44 gifts for children in Batang Pinangga.
The vice governor’s grandchildren, aged two months to 16 years old, will be spending time with the orphans.
Only one of Magpale’s children, Provincial Board (PB) member Miguel Antonio, is in Cebu.
Her daughter Aina Magpale-Asirit, commissioner of the Energy Regulatory Commission, and another son have their own families and live in Manila.
The orphanage visits have been a yearly tradition for the family, said the vice governor. Some of her grandchildren have spent their birthdays there.
“It is very important for us to meet during Christmas, especially since we don’t get to see each other often. I really relish the moments we have together,” said Magpale.
PB Member Arleigh Sitoy said being with family during Christmas is “quality time in the interest of unity.”
He said he will be with his wife Tina, children Kaye, Leigh, Natilleigh, and Martin, as well as his grandchildren in Manila on Christmas Day.
On New Year’s Day, the Sitoy family will be visiting churches in Cebu.
PB Member Sun Shimura said he will spent Christmas in Manila with his wife and three children.
“It’s about building good memories and bonding with the family, especially now that (our kids) are still young,” he said.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said he would spend his Christmas with his wife and three daughters, and other family members, in Cebu.