UFT Hispanic Affairs Committee hosts Three Kings Day celebration

Miller Photography

Three kings Gustavo, Siramane and Philip lead children and parents to a wondrous room filled with toys. More photos >>

Miller Photography

Checking out their options are (from left) Jeremiah and Isaiah with their uncle Angel Moran on one side and Yasheika (in white) with her mom Yajaira Garcia and baby Valeria on the other side.

Miller Photography

Elizabeth Colon with her grandchildren Dangy and Michelle, who look pleased with their choices.

They may have been the three kings, but they seemed like Pied Pipers as they led entranced children (and their parents and grandparents) toward the beautiful gifts that awaited them.

On Jan. 6 — Three Kings Day — the UFT’s Bronx borough office was transformed for a festive children’s party. There was a reading of the story of the three kings (or wise men) in both Spanish and English and a tasty dinner, but the highlight came when each child got to choose a favorite gift from an enticing array laid out before them by the kings.

It was definitely a kid-in-a-candy-store kind of moment and the adults present were rewarded with the smiles of some very happy children.

The UFT Hispanic Affairs Committee has sponsored the event annually “because we really want to continue the tradition of this very special holiday,” said Cassie Carlo, who co-chairs the committee with Servia Silva.

Three Kings Day is celebrated throughout Spain, Latin America and many parts of Europe. It comes from the biblical story of the three kings who arrived at the manger in Bethlehem bearing gifts for baby Jesus, and it marks the end of what some people celebrate as the 12 days of Christmas.

Parent Luz Diaz, who came with her children Aidan and Ashley, explained that the Christmas tree in her house stays up each year through Jan. 6.

Growing up, her sister Jessica explained, “We used to take water and lettuce for the camels (that the three kings rode) and in the morning it would be gone — with candy, money and small presents left” in its place. She brought her children Nia and Khloe to the party so they can continue celebrating the holiday.

Keilah Suero, a paraprofessional at PS 30 in the Bronx, recalled leaving grass for the camels under her bed on the eve of Three Kings Day when she was growing up. Her colleague Ydeilen Fernandez, who brought her daughter Kamila to the party, spoke about her memories of celebrating the holiday in the Dominican Republic when she was a child, with presents, food and Spanish music.

Toys for the union’s party were donated by generous UFTers from all five boroughs and the Latin American Agents and Brokers Association.