Mon | 12.17.2018 | 12:00 NN

Not the heat of the sun but the warmth of Christmas season fills the day of the street sweepers of Pasay City during PAGCOR's sixth day of Pamaskong Handog held in Pasay City's Cuneta Astrodome.

Sixty-eight-year-old Ernesto Apihas may be too old to ply the streets of Pasay daily using his old pedicab. But instead of enjoying retirement like most seniors, the widower endures physical tiredness as well as the heat of the sun – just to earn his keep and help provide for his children and grandchildren.

On the 6th day of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR’s) Pamaskong Handog 2018, Ernesto – along with over 1,500 senior citizens like and street sweepers from Pasay City – once again received Christmas presents from the agency. They were also treated to a grand Christmas party at the Cuneta Astrodome.

“Salamat at naaalala pa po ninyo kami habang kami ay buhay pa. Pagsasaluhan naming mag-anak ang handang eto,” said Ernesto after receiving his noche buena gift pack.

For three years now, Pasay City’s senior citizens have regularly been included in PAGCOR’s annual gift giving tradition. The street sweepers meanwhile, have been included in the agency’s Christmas program for two years already.

“Ikinagagalak po naming mahandugan kayong muli ng kasiyahan ngayong Kapaskuhan. Andito po ang kasalukuyang PAGCOR management na handang umalalay sa inyo,” said Jimmy Bondoc, Vice President for PAGCOR’s Corporate Social Responsibility Group, who graced the event.

Pasay City Representative Emi Calixto-Rubiano, who also graced the activity lauded PAGCOR for its various socio-civic programs. “Kami po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat at kabilang po ang Pasay City sa inyong mga proyekto tulad ng Pamaskong Handog program, medicine donations at maging ang school building project,” she said.

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