Christmas came early to more than 4,300 day care teachers and senior citizens from Manila, Pasay and Paranaque as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) treated them to a grand Christmas celebration at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on December 13, 2016.

PAGCOR allocated P5.2 million for the event which brought joy to 2,758 senior citizens and 1,620 day care teachers. Apart from the grand Christmas celebration, the beneficiaries received gift packs containing noche buena items.

The early Yuletide treat was part of PAGCOR’s ongoing Pamaskong Handog project which will culminate on December 21, 2016.

Minandro Reyes from the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) in Manila said that being chosen as a beneficiary of PAGCOR’s 2016 gift-giving activity was one of the best things that happened to the less privileged senior citizens in Metro Manila this year.

“In the City of Manila alone, more or less 900 indigent senior citizens were chosen as recipients of PAGCOR’s Pamaskong Handog project. Sa pamunuan ng PAGCOR, maraming salamat dahil ang inyong Christmas gift-giving ay nakarating sa mga nakakatanda,lalo na yung mga hirap sa buhay,” Reyes expressed.

Nanet Tanyag, Officer-in-Charge of Manila’s Social Welfare Office was likewise elated because 450 day care teachers in their city were able to experience a grand Christmas celebration.“These are the people who have dedicated their lives to the growth and development of our young children. Knowing that PAGCOR is very generous, I’m sure meron na silang lulutuin at pagsasalu-saluhan ng pamilya,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries of PAGCOR’s Pamaskong Handog for senior citizens was 61-year-old Evangelina Liba. A sidewalk vendor from Pasay City, Liba has lived in the streets with her 64-year-old husband Romeo who suffered from stroke years ago. His legs were also amputated due to diabetes.

Liba said it was their first time to become part of a huge Christmas celebration. “Maswerte kami kasi iilan lang yung napili sa may lugar namin. Salamat po dahil ngayon lang kami nabigyan ng ganitong pagkakataon. Mas masaya naming ipagdiriwang ang Pasko ngayong taon.”

PAGCOR’s Assistant VP for Community Relations Arnell Ignacio who graced the event at Cuneta Astrodome said the state-run gaming firm is a caring institution that looks after the welfare of the Filipinos. “This Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR only shows our commitment to the people. This is not just an act of fulfilling a responsibility but more of a gesture of love,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pasay City Representative Imelda Calixto-Rubiano who was also present during the gift-giving event thanked the state-run gaming agency for its various programs for the less privileged Filipinos including her constituents in Pasay City.

“Taon-taon, mula 2010, nagbi-bigay ng Pamaskong Handog ang PAGCOR. Marami silang itinutulong hindi lamang tuwing Pasko. Pinupunuan din nila ang ibang pangangailangan ng bayan kagaya ng pagpapatayo ng school buildings, mga school desk, mga feeding program at iba pang proyekto. Marami ding naitutulong ang PAGCOR sa lungsod ng Pasay. Sana lalo pa nilang pa-igtingin ang kanilang mga programa para mas marami pa silang matulungan na mamamayang Pilipino,” Rep. Calixto-Rubiano said.

A day before the gift-giving event for senior citizens and day care teachers, PAGCOR’s Casino Filipino branch in Bacolod also distributed Christmas gifts to 145 orphans, abandoned and neglected children from three institutions in Bacolod: the Home of Hope, Bacolod Boys’ Home and Bacolod Girls’ Home Foundation, Inc.

Aside from grocery items given to the recipients, PAGCOR also granted the wish list of the said organizations which include a multi-media projector, computer set, gas stove double burner, water dispenser, school bags, rain coats and umbrellas for the Home of Hope. For Bacolod Boys’ Home, PAGCOR donated a multi-media projector, laptop and printer, digital camera, and slippers. Bacolod Girls’ Home on the other hand received bed sheet covers, electric fans and printer for the daily use of the children under their care.

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