CEBU CITY – The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) brought merriment to 230 abused, abandoned and neglected children and youth of the SOS Children’s Village in Cebu on the 16th day of “Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR 2011: 25 Days of Christmas, 25 years of PAGCOR” nationwide gift-giving project.

Apart from giving all the children early Christmas presents of gift packs containing food and personal items, PAGCOR also donated to the SOS Children’s Village four sets of desktop computers with software and accessories like printers, computer tables and computer chairs, as well as assorted educational and art materials.

Joseph and Jerome (not their real names) were overjoyed that the SOS Village – their family for 11 years – received Christmas gifts from PAGCOR. The two boys were rescued by the foundation 11 years ago when their relatives, who took custody of them after their father’s death, became abusive. Joseph, now 20 years old and Jerome, 17, are among the beneficiaries of the 31-year-old SOS Children’s Village in the Queen City of the South.

The institution provides shelter, long-term alternative parental care and opportunities such as education to 145 orphaned, abandoned and neglected children and youths under its custody. The SOS Village also reaches out to other children from poor communities in Cebu City and its neighboring barangays through community-based projects such as nursery education and medical services. During PAGCOR’s gift-giving activity, the 145 stay-in youths at the SOS Village, including some 85 children who benefit from the foundation’s outreach projects, received gifts from PAGCOR.

“Maraming salamat po sa PAGCOR at napasaya ninyo kami dito sa SOS,” said Joseph, who will be finishing his Nursing degree next year. Joseph said he loves seeing Christmas celebrations happen in their village but what he enjoys the most is seeing other kids have fun during such gatherings.

His younger brother Jerome also shared that December is one of his favorite months as they get to open lots of gifts and join several fun activities with their house mother. Abandoned by their mother in their younger years, Jerome is grateful that the SOS Village reached out to them when they had no family to care for them.

Meanwhile, SOS Children’s Village Director Mario Baang expressed his gratitude to PAGCOR for choosing their foundation as one of the beneficiaries of the state-gaming firm’s Pamaskong Handog Project this year.

“To PAGCOR, thank you very much for making our children happy. The gift-giving activity means a lot to the children as it brings back their lost childhood years. Some of the kids have to act mature even in their younger years because they have to earn a living and survive,” said Baang.

He added that PAGCOR’s donations to the SOS Village will go a long way in giving their wards a better future. “Due to financial constraints, program enhancements are not easy. But with the aid of several institutions like PAGCOR, plans for improvements are realized.”

Casino Filipino Cebu General Manager Roque Cervantes also expressed his gladness for having reached out to the SOS Village through PAGCOR’s Pamaskong Handog project. “PAGCOR is more than happy to help and bring cheers to the children especially this Christmas season. This is one way of sharing our blessings.”

PAGCOR’s Assistant Vice President for Marketing Christopher Tio, a native of Cebu, also graced the gift-giving event. Meanwhile, local entertainers, magicians, dancers, clowns, and the children from the SOS Village performed special numbers which made the occasion more colorful.

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