PAGCOR granted the institution’s Christmas wish list of 12 wheelchairs, four 32” LCD TVs, 40 sacks of rice, 7,500 assorted medicines and multi-vitamins, 100 pillows, 100 blankets, four plastic cabinets, and four dish racks. It also gave special gift packs containing grocery items and toiletries to the wards and support staff of Sinagtala Homes.

The Philippine Cheshire Homes Sinagtala Association, Inc. was established in 1965 through the efforts of Mrs. Concepcion Magsaysay-Labrador, sister of former President Ramon Magsaysay. Since its launch, the organization has been providing care and rehabilitation to the physically disabled to help them lead full and productive lives. The organization’s skills training and livelihood program inculcate among the residents the values of self-worth and self-respect.

Anna Ledda, 41, has been under the care of the foundation for the past 31 years. Born with cerebral palsy, Anna was abandoned by her mother when she was six years old. At Sinagtala, Anna says she has found the family she had been looking for all her life. “Nagustuhan ko dito kasi disabled yung nakatira dito at nandito yung love at care sa bawat isa kahit may kapansanan,”she narrated.

Despite her the impairment of her motor functions, Anna learned to make the most of her life through the help of the foundation. In 2008, she brought honor to the Philippines by representing the country in an international Boccia competition in Thailand.

Anna believes that life is simply a matter of choice and she would not let her disability get in the way of her hopes and dreams. “Huwag mawawalan ng pag-asa. Kahit disabled, dapat malakas ang loob upang kayanin mong humarap sa kinabukasan mo. Hindi hihinto ang buhay mo dahil lang disabled ka,” she shared.

According to Pete Manio, President of Ilaw ng May Kapansanan Foundation, one of the partner institutions of Sinagtala, they are thankful that PAGCOR made them feel the true meaning of Christmas. “Sa tingin ko, kung sinong walang boses at mahina, yun ang dapat bigyan ng pansin. Naniniwala po kami dapat po pantay pantay ang pagtulong na ginagawa ng gobyerno. Sa ginawa ng PAGCOR ngayon, kahit papaano naibsan at nalimutan namin yung mga problemang pinapasan sa mga oras na ito. Kahit papaaano naramdaman namin na may ahensya pa rin ng gobyerno na nagbibigay ng saya at tulong sa mga katulad namin.”

An employee at the Mandaluyong City Hall, Manio has been disabled since he was six, after his legs were crushed in an accident. His misfortune, however, did not stop him from living a normal life. Married with five kids, he says he wants to inspire other differently-abled individuals like him.

He said people with disabilities (PWDs) may be considered by the society as the disadvantaged group. He explained that statistics show that 80% of PWDs live below the poverty line. “Bilang isa sa masasabing marginalized sector, kami ‘yung walang boses. Sa panahon ngayon na ang batayan ay kung ano ang natapos mo, kailangan din kaming bigyan ng atensyon ng gobyerno. Kung mabibigyan lamang kami ng pagkakataon, we can also live a normal life just like you.”

Meantime, Assistant VP Henry Reyes of PAGCOR’s Community Relations and Services Department said that the state-run gaming agency has always been a partner of the government in reaching out to the less privileged members of society. “This is the reason why we picked the wards of Sinagtala to become part of our Pamaskong Handog project this year. Through our gift-giving event today, we hope we were able to make them happy and make them feel that they are not forgotten.”

Reyes added that the selection of Sinagtala as one of PAGCOR’s Pamaskong Handog beneficiaries this year was because of the organization’s advocacy to help its wards strive for independence and self-reliance despite their disability. “We want to help them become responsible citizens. Hindi yung aasa lang sa bigay, sila yung mga nagsisikap talaga na mabuhay ng marangal. The foundation helps its beneficiaries uplift their sense of self respect and become responsible citizens.”

PAGCOR’s nationwide gift-giving project, which commenced on November 25 and ends on December 19, will have 7,000 beneficiaries from 36 charitable institutions in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Pampanga, Tagaytay, Olongapo, Bulacan and Rizal.

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