Nine-year old Kevin has never experienced spending Christmas with his family. Abandoned by his parents and left under the care of nuns since he was a few months old, Kevin does not know where he came from.

But the young boy who is now in fourth grade at an elementary school in Tagaytay City said he never felt he was lacking in anything essential. His need for a home, including the love of a real family, were given by Mother Teresa Spinelli’s Treasures, an institution that cares for abandoned and neglected children like Kevin.

This Christmas season, Kevin became one of the 158 children and youth from five charitable institutions in Tagaytay City who were chosen as the 24th day beneficiaries of “Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR 2011: 25 Days of Christmas, 25 Years of PAGCOR” nationwide gift-giving project.

Besides Mother Teresa Spinelli’s Treasures, the state-run gaming firm also chose the Tahanang Vedruna, a temporary shelter for neglected children; the Little Angels’ Home Inc., a shelter for abandoned babies while they are being prepared for adoption; the Saint Anthony’s Boys Village Foundation, Inc., which promotes the welfare of indigent boys through scholarship grants and values formation; and the St. Mary’s House, which rehabilitates abused girls.

PAGCOR made Christmas more meaningful for the beneficiaries of these institutions by treating them to a Christmas party filled with food, gifts and merriment. Gift packs of personal items and food were distributed to each beneficiary. PAGCOR also granted the institutions’ Christmas wish which includes cans of milk, diapers, canned goods, sacks of rice and grocery items for their wards.

PAGCOR Director Eric Nuguid and Casino Filipino Tagaytay Officer-in-Charge Michael Joseph Bailey led the gift-giving event for the three orphanages held at the Mother Spinelli’s Treasures Multi-purpose Hall on December 18. They also led the turnover of donations and Christmas presents to the St. Anthony’s Boy’s Village and St. Mary’s House.

Bailey said the Pamaskong Handog Project enables PAGCOR to widen the reach of its corporate social responsibility projects not only among its mandated beneficiaries but also among other marginalized sectors such as the neglected children, indigent youth and abused girls.

“Christmas is for children. We wanted to share the joy of the season by reaching out to less privileged children and youth – especially those who were neglected and abandoned by their own parents. Through this simple act of generosity, we give them a reason to believe that despite their situation, they are being loved and cared for,” he said.

Meantime, Sister Yolly Primalion who is Head of Mother Spinelli’s Treasures said funding the needs of the 26 orphans and neglected children under their care is one of the biggest challenges that they face. The institution mainly relies on the proceeds from the retreat house, run by the Agustinian Sisters. But in spite of some difficulties, Primalion said they will do everything to give the children a good future. “The biggest lesson I learned from this mission is how to love; how to sacrifice for others and how to have patience for the children entrusted to us.”

According to Primalion, being chosen as a beneficiary of PAGCOR’s Pamaskong Handog Project this year is a blessing. “Malaking bagay para sa amin ang mapili bilang beneficiary ng inyong proyekto. Little things mean a lot to us. Wala kaming maibibigay na kapalit kundi ang aming mga dasal.”

PAGCOR’s gift-giving event in Tagaytay also reached out to indigent boys like Ronald Orquin, a fourth year high school scholar at the Saint Anthony Boys’ Village Foundation, Inc. According to Ronald, academically-inclined students like him who come from low income families would not have had the chance to get a good education if not for the foundation’s help.

Ronald’s drive to become successful someday is fuelled by his desire to help his family and the foundation. “Gusto ko pong matulungan ang mga susunod na generations ng scholars ng foundation namin. Yun po ang isang paraan ng aking pagtanaw ng utang na loob sa lahat ng tulong na ibinigay nila sa akin.”

Ronald was also grateful after Saint Anthony’s Boy’s Village was chosen as one of the beneficiaries of PAGCOR’s gift-giving project. “Salamat at binigyan kami ng PAGCOR ng opportunity na sumaya at maibahagi ang inyong mga regalo sa aming mga mahal sa buhay,” he said.

During PAGCOR’s gift-giving event the foundation’s beneficiaries were also entertained by Shamrock vocalist Mark Tupaz, Miss Casino Filipino 2011 Catrine Rosary Ocampo, Hansen Nichols of Pinoy Dream Academy and the PAGCOR Voice Symphony.

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