Bacolod City Mayor Greg G. Gasataya (2nd from left) and Ciarra Sotto (1st from right) of the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc., together with SM executive Cathy Ileto (2nd from right), and Mansilingan Barangay Captain Inday Franz Gasataya (1st from left) during the SSFI and SM City Bacolod Christmas gift-giving activity today, November 19, 2025.

Bacolod City – Christmas cheer arrived early in the City of Smiles as 45 children enjoyed a festive shopping treat today, November 19, through a partnership between SM City Bacolod and the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc. (SSFI). Each child received ₱6,000 in shopping money—₱5,000 from SM and ₱1,000 from SSFI—giving them the chance to pick their own holiday gifts. Leading the activity was Ciarra Sotto, youngest child of Senate President Tito Sotto, who represented her mother, Helen Gamboa-Sotto. She shared a heartfelt message with the children, saying, “Our goal today is to make you happy because if you are happy, we are happy also. On behalf of all the senators and the spouses of the senators, we love you and want you to be happy even if you have just gone through struggles because of the typhoon. Let’s not lose hope and always pray to the Lord.” Bacolod First Lady Maitah Gasataya also welcomed the children and their families. Mayor Greg Gasataya expressed his appreciation to the foundation, saying, “On behalf of Bacolod City, please accept our appreciation for choosing Bacolod to be this year’s venue of your program that helps children all around the Philippines. We hope you choose Bacolod again next year, and to SM, thank you very much since, as you have noticed, this means a lot to the children.” The mayor, who celebrated his 55th birthday the same day, was warmly greeted by attendees. The day kicked off with a cheerful breakfast at McDonald’s and a short performance before children were grouped for shopping. Volunteers and guests—including Barangay Captain Inday Franz Gasataya—guided the groups to ensure safety and comfort throughout the experience. Beyond the shopping treat, 102 Bacolod residents received Guaranteed Letters under Senate Assist, the Senate’s digital platform for medical and social assistance. Beneficiaries included senior citizens and long-term medical patients who voiced their gratitude. “Thank you so much because through this, we received a Guarantee Letter. We are also very grateful to the city for choosing us as beneficiaries of this program”, 76 year old Angelito Serra, recently diagnosed with colon cancer and undergoing dialysis said expressing his gratitude. “This is a huge help because before, we had to shoulder all our expenses on our own. We even sought help from Congressman Greg in the past. Now, we were given another chance and were chosen again for this program”, 65 year old Emelita Fegidero, a long-term dialysis patient, shared. The initiative, part of SSFI’s “A Christmas in November,” was coordinated closely with Mayor Gasataya and the city government, with the Senate Public Assistance Office overseeing distributions. SM City Bacolod played a key role in making the day meaningful and memorable for the children. More than just a gift-giving activity, the event became a celebration of hope, compassion, and community spirit—bringing smiles and early Christmas joy to children and families across Bacolod.(Bacolod City Communications Office)