TAGUM CITY—For Clark (not his real name), the newly-lit gigantic yuletide tree reminds him of his long-lost mother.
“She left me without any word but I am hoping that I may see her again,” said Clark, the 12-year old street kid shared to Davao Today.
“I won’t lose hope and I am praying hard that I will see my mother again,” stressed Clark, as he gazed the giant Christmas tree sits in the city’s Freedom Park.
On Sunday, the 61-feet yuletide tree adorned with colorful assorted lights and decorative designs was lighted by the local government of Tagum.
The city’s lighting of the Christmas tree is an annual event that is sought by Tagum residents and local tourists welcoming the start of the Christmas season.
Tagum City Mayor Rellon who led the lighting ceremony said “the city allocated PhP 600,000 for the annual structure and some of the materials used were recycled from last year’s holiday tree.”
The private sector also donated a substantial amount for the provision of Christmas lights, said Rellon.
Street kids roaming along the Arellano Street have pinned their hopes to have their wishes be granted.
“We also wish to have a better and normal life just like other kids who have their own families,” said Nica, an 8-year old, street kid said.
Clark was a product of a broken family. Two years ago, his mother had abandoned him after his father settled with a widowed woman somewhere in Butuan City.
“We were strolling in the park then when she told me to get the pair of shoes she left near the acacia tree. But when I returned in the
bench she just disappeared,” Clark recalled.
Clark said he stayed for a year in his mother’s relative in Tagum but he moved out.
“I find it hard to live with my relatives because I was discriminated and abused,” said Clark.
Clark, an out of school youth, found his second home—the cold and dirty streets.
Decked with lanterns, blinking lights, and gigantic Christmas trees, the street of Arellano gave him a moment of bliss—a temporary one, consoling his situation.
He braved the moving vehicles at day and cold temperature at night to carol. (davaotoday.com)
