The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) marked the last day of its “Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR 2011: 25 Days of Christmas, 25 Years of PAGCOR” nationwide gift-giving project by bringing hope to children with harelip and cleft palate under the care of Operation Smile Philippines.

PAGCOR issued a letter of guarantee worth P1 million to finance the reconstructive surgery of about 100 indigent kids born with harelip or cleft palate during the December 19 gift-giving event for the wards of Operation Smile Philippines held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Operation Smile President and Executive Director Roberto J. Manzano said PAGCOR’s help will go a long way in helping “create more smiles” for children with harelip and cleft palate.

Manzano said children with such deformities may not only have to endure psychological and emotional suffering but may also increase their risk of getting respiratory ailments and hinder them from becoming productive members of society.

“We are thankful to PAGCOR for helping us create more smiles by making us part of their Pamaskong Handog Project this year. You turn the life of a child 180 degrees from a life of misery and hopelessness to a life of opportunity,” Manzano said.

Operation Smile Philippines was founded in 1982 in the province of Camarines Sur. It aims to give its beneficiaries better opportunities in life by providing free facial reconstructive surgery to indigent children and adults with cleft lip and cleft palate.

32-year old mom Gina Sison, mother of four-month old Ricky, was happy to learn that her youngest son will be one of the beneficiaries of Operation Smile who will receive free operation through PAGCOR’s help.

“Malaking tulong po ito sa aming hirap sa buhay,” said Gina who stays home while her husband works as an ad installer in an advertising firm. According Gina, the generosity of PAGCOR and Operation Smile brings financial relief to her family since they can avail the operation for their son without spending anything.

“Malaking bagay po na habang maaga pa’y maoperahan na siya para di na po magkapeklat at malayo rin po siya sa pag-tukso. Para maging normal ang paglaki nya pati na rin ang ibang batang kagaya nya na tutulungan ng Operation Smile at PAGCOR,” said Gina.

47-year old Wilfred Aquino, on the other hand, came all the way from Batangas City to join PAGCOR’s gift-giving event. His one and a half year-old daughter Maebelle was one of the beneficiaries of the project.

“Maraming mga batang salat sa buhay na matutulungan ng kabutihang loob na ito ng PAGCOR at Operation Smile,” he said. Wilfred added that the free cleft palate operation for their daughter means a lot to them as their family only relies on social security benefits.

PAGCOR President and COO Jorge Sarmiento, who led the gift-giving activity, said the state-owned gaming firm is honored to be part of such noble undertaking. “We are very happy to be a part of this life-changing endeavor. The PAGCOR Pamaskong Handog Project, which is a brainchild of our Chairman Cristino Naguiat, Jr. is part of PAGCOR’s silver anniversary celebration this year. We hope that PAGCOR’s help for the surgical operation of indigent kids with cleft lip or cleft palate will go a long way,” Sarmiento said.

Other agency officials present during the final day of the Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR 2011 gift-giving project were Casino Filipino Pavilion General Manager Danny Cuneta, Casino Filipino Heritage Officer-in-Charge Arthur Malatag, Assistant VP for Accounting Vidal Cabigon, Jr., Assistant VP for Community Relations and Services Henry Reyes, and Miss Casino Filipino 2011 Catrine Rosary Ocampo.

Officials of Pasay City led by Congresswoman Emi Calixto-Rubiano and Pasay City Mayor Antonio Calixto also graced the event together with Sta. Ana Hospital Director Mario Lato.

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