More areas to adopt V-Day candy-giving
MANILA, Feb. 16, 2017 – The annual candy-condom face-off won’t be limited to just the Dangwa flower market by next year as more areas vow to replicate the pro-life initiative in their parishes and areas.
Pro-life volunteers from various organizations distributed candy packs with messages on true love and chastity on Valentine’s Day in the vicinity of the Dangwa Flower Market in Sampaloc, Manila, Feb. 14, 2017. (Photo: Ryan Borja Capitulo)
“The replication of candy-giving, it’s a good ripple effect to bring back the real essence of Valentine’s day,” said LoveLife Philippines vice president for internal affairs Paul Guimary, who volunteered to distribute candy in Dangwa on Feb. 14.
After this year’s candy-giving near the University of Sto. Tomas in the Dangwa flower market, the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga and a member of the Light of Jesus community in Puerto Princesa committed to bring the initiative to their area.
Guimary added: “You can see that there’s really a good effect and we’re sending a good message that love triumphs. People would prefer celebrating the essence of Valentine’s which is love and not just about lust. The thing is, the impression on Valentine’s day is all sex, motels but this time, no.”
According to AJ Perez, project head for this year’s candy-giving, some 20 volunteers gave away 15,000 candy packs to mostly young people buying flowers for their special someone on the day of hearts.
Aside from Dangwa, pro-life volunteers from St. Paul’s College Manila, Our Lady of the Rosary parish in Bicutan, the Diocese of Pasig youth, and private individuals in San Pedro, Laguna also gave away candies in their areas.
“It’s a breath of fresh air to bring back the essence of real love. Candy symbolizes that love is sweet and that is what we should celebrate and not lust,” added Guimary, who is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Prolife Philippines.
A join project of Prolife Philippines, Filipinos for Life, LoveLife Philippines, and YouthPinoy, the candy-giving project this year mobilized volunteers from Student Catholic Action – UP Diliman chapter and the Social Service Faith in Action of Payatas, Quezon City. (Nirva’ana Ella Delacruz / CBCPNews)
