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Erap to be with poor on birthday

04/14/2009

Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada will turn 72 this coming April 19, but it will be a no-frills birthday celebration, as he intends to spend his natal day with the poor folk, whom he has always prioritized.

“I feel very blessed to have reached this age in the best of health and to be continued to be surrounded and loved by my family, friends and fans,” Estrada said in anticipation of the coming date.

The former President has decided to forego throwing a party this year. In lieu of this, he will celebrate his birthday with the less fortunate in various parts of Manila and will continue his tradition of celebrating with relocated San Juan settlers in Taytay, Rizal.

“In these times of economic hardship, it would not be appropriate to have a lavish celebration. Instead of spending on a party, I will be sharing some gift bags with the poor. I have also told my friends to give me sacks of rice for donation to the poor instead of giving me gifts,” Estrada said.

This is not the first time that the former President is celebrating his birthday by gift-giving. Last year, his first birthday after being released from incarceration, Estrada also gave donations of rice to various impoverished segments of Manila at the height of the 2008 rice crisis.

Estrada’s birthday celebration this year will begin on Thursday, April 16, with gift-giving ceremonies in Payatas and Caloocan.

This will continue on the 18th, Saturday, instead of the 17th as he will be the Guest of Honor at the Commencement Rites of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila on the 17th.

On April 18, gift-giving will resume in the morning at the Sunog-Apog Zone 182 in Manila, at Smokey Mountain, and Baseco. In the afternoon, Estrada will once again celebrate with the orphans of Asociacion de Damas de Filipinas, as he did last year.

On April 19, his actual birth date, Estrada will celebrate at the San Juan Resettlement Area known as Erap City in Taytay, Rizal, with former residents of San Juan.