Written by: Rhoderick John S. Abellanosa
Research and Impact Assessment Office Coordinator
Perhaps forgotten, the Christmas Fair is part of the Christmas Drive. The Drive is a tradition dating back to what we may call the Old Campus years. Who started the Drive and was the Fair part of it from the beginning, are questions that still need to be answered. Upon checking available documentary bases, the 1969 Yearbook of Sacred Heart School for Boys records the inclusion of the Drive in said year’s events.
Regardless of the exact date of its origin, what is clear is the Drive’s noble objective to raise funds for the bundles of joy. The late Miss Elena Yee, trusted lay collaborator of the Jesuits and former Campus Ministry staff, would be remembered as a staunch supporter of the Drive. She would encourage pupils to tell their parents to donate BBQ, ice cream and other goods that would be sold during the fair. Pupils and even colleagues of Yee’s era would recall her line “if you give your donation, your name will be written in the book of heaven.”
If one comes to think of it, the sentence is not an empty promise. It is a way of teaching children at a young age that the Drive is about ‘giving without counting the cost.’
As an integral activity of the Christmas Drive, the Fair is a creative approach to fundraising. Mr. Benjamin Ong, former Principal and now veteran Computer teacher at the Junior High School Department, remembers that there already was a Fair during his student days. Ong graduated from High School
in March 1979. It is safe to say then that the Fair was with the School already in the 70s [Or much earlier? We still need to check the records].
The Christmas Fair in recent decades has embraced innovations, but in spirit it is a living tradition. The festive and fun theme, the booths, games, rides, and food – have been part of the fair for years. Another old practice is the use of chits. Mr. Jonas Enriquez, former Head of the DISC [forerunner of the ICT] Office, would recall that printing ‘chits’ was his task during the Fair in the 90s. Chits have been used to limit the circulation of cash. This was originally intended to deemphasize profit and highlight the value of the initiative. And if you think that Kalesa rides are innovations of the Fair in the New Campus, think again. The 1987 Yearbook has pictures of 4 tartanillas joyfully parading in the Gokongwei ground of the OC.
2011 witnessed the introduction of The Back to the Manger. “Bags of Love” was a name introduced in 2015 to replace the traditional and more known Bundles of Joy.
In 2018 there was no Fair because of SHS-AdC’s sponsorship of and intensive preparations for the Jesuit Athletic Meet (JAM). Nevertheless, there was a Christmas Drive and other forms of fundraising were organized by the academic departments. The two-year pandemic did not stop the Drive. It went on with online celebrations in SY 2020-2021 and SY 2021-2022.
The Fair is a treasured tradition. It developed from the innovations and imaginations of countless individuals. Its current sophistications are compounded best practices through the decades. It is not only about the creativity of presentations. It is also a communal and formative approach to social involvement. Direct donations from the pocket are easier. But the language of solidarity also demands charity expressed through effort and sweat equity. A means to an end, the more meaningful culmination of the Fair is the distribution of Christmas gifts to the different partner communities.
Christmas Fair Themes (2010 – 2024)
Note: Earlier Years also had Themes
2024 Hopeful, Helpful, Happy
2023 Persons in Christ, Bearers of Peace
2022 Heart Rejoicing, Love Overflowing
2021 Gifted to Give: Bearing Hope, Bringing Christ (online Christmas Drive)
2020 Helpful Hands, Hopeful Hearts (online Christmas Drive)
2019 Beloved, Gifted, Empowered: God’s Light to the World
2018 [No Christmas Fair]
2017 Season of Love, Prayers for Peace
2016 Love Incarnated, Generosity Ignited
2015 Hearts to Love, Hands to Serve
2014 Jesus, the Light who Leads the Way
2013 Heart of Jesus, Light of Christmas
2012 Persons for Others, Heroes for Christ
2011 Jesus Ignites the Hero in Me
2010 Hesus, Ikaw ang Bugtong Kalipay Namo
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[1] The piece is in no way conclusive. Alumni, parents, and individuals who can give information and details about the Christmas Drive and Christmas Fair are most welcome to contribute through the Research Coordinator at riao80@shs-adc.edu.ph
