Ralph decided we couldn’t turn our backs on the Street Sweepers, the Segregators of Trash, and the Street Police, not since Ralph just left his work end of November. I looked at the passbook to check how much we could spare to give them. We decided to give those who segregated trash P500 each, the rest P1,000 each.
Then, some people sent presents to Ralph and myself. One person sent a 12-inch ensaymada–“the best in the world”, it said. Then another one sent something still wrapped. I decided, that since the last office party was so happy because of the raffle prizes, I would throw in some raffle presents during the party. Ralph timed the party so we had the trash segregators at 3:30 p.m., the Street Sweepers at 4:30 p.m. and the Barangay Police at 5:30 p.m. We served them sandwiches and iced tea. I looked at my fridge: there was a box of chocolates and a box of chocolate cookies. I threw them into my pile of raffle prizes, together with the huge ensaymada. Then I sent Tony to buy more prizes from the grocery store.
I was looking at my cache of pictures. None for the segregators of trash. They were not a photogenic lot. Skinny, toothless men, who had scrubbed for the party, but who still reminded one of those homeless people in Central Park. Last year, they remembered of the nice meal we served them, and of the prizes they got. One man said he got rice, plastic basins, groceries. I didn’t apologize for this year’s meager meal and hardly any prizes. Later, Ralph told the third group that he was just sharing with them whatever little money he got from his “performance bonus,” (P10T), cash gifts from the Mayor (P5T) and other politicians (P2T). We just wanted to tell them that we appreciated their work for the barangay.
The next group was the Street Sweepers. They all put on their green uniform over their clothes. The shirt said “Bilis Walis”, meaning “Fast Sweepers.” They got the usual sandwiches and tea. They came to sing carols. 
The new Barangay Captain brought his guitar to accompany the Street Sweepers. When I saw them sweating, I told them to take off their uniform and just use their street clothes. When it came to the portion where they got their P1,000, each of them hugged and kissed Ralph. This was the group that had the most fun, mostly from giggling from the kiss.
I was able to give away the puzzle mat, the kiddie sofa, and Barbie doll I bought for the accountants’ daughters when they came with their mothers on weekends. many years ago. Tony had already come so we distributed some cans of biscuits and groceries.
The Barangay Police group came last. I don’t really know their official name. I know that they number around 30, 15 on each 12-hour shift. They are trained to patrol the streets. Each of them have walkie-talkies and handcuffs. No guns. There is a “motor patrol” that goes around to go around the barangay streets 24 hours a day. There is a desk officer who controls all their movements. These “police” do not earn minimum wage even if they work hard. But they are happy to do work, in the light of so much unemployment.
We had the same format– serve drinks, then sing some Christmas carols. This is how the camera caught them, singing their carols. Then give them their cash gift. This time, I had more prizes– boxes of biscuits, canned goods.
These staff are not considered “the less fortunate” of society, because they have work that will feed their families. The “waste segregators” are fortunate, because they are able to recycle plastics and iron that cannot be used anymore, and get some money from it. Their income is very little, but they are still more fortunate than those who have nothing at all.
After this year, hopefully, Ralph and I can fade into the sunset and stop these parties. Meanwhile, Ralph has to scrub his face doubly hard, after getting kissed by 24 women.
Merry Christmas 2010!!!
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