ANTIPOLO City – As the metro hustled and bustled during the holiday season, the indigenous tribe of Dumagat-Remontados remained in the mountains -- oblivious of the yuletide rush in the city because for most of them, Christmas is just an ordinary day.

This year, however, the yuletide season became extra special for them as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) culminated its 2016 Pamaskong Handog project by celebrating Christmas with the indigenous tribe.

Over 600 tribe members enjoyed a festive Christmas party organized by the state-run gaming firm. They also received gift packs containing noche buena goodies during the event.

The Dumagat-Remontados is an indigenous group which has been living in the mountains of Antipolo since 1901. They are composed of over 300 families that rely on slash-and-burn farming (kaingin) and charcoal-making. Many of them subsist on root crops since they maintain a nomadic lifestyle until now. Also, majority of them never attended any formal schooling.

It was the second time that PAGCOR chose the Dumagat-Remontados tribe as beneficiary of its Pamaskong Handog project.

According to Tribal Chieftain Alex Bedana, they were overjoyed that PAGCOR once again chose their group as one of the beneficiaries of the gift-giving program. “Malaking bagay po ito sa amin dahil sa hirap ng buhay ay hindi na halos kami nakakapag-diwang ng Pasko,”he shared.

Bedana added that seeing his tribe gather joyously during the gift-giving event was something that he will always remember with gladness. “Yung makita silang masaya ay napaka-gandang Pamasko na para sa akin. Dahil din sa PAGCOR ay nakapag-tipon-tipon ang lahat ng mga Dumagat dito sa Antipolo kaya nagpapa-salamat po kami ng lubos sa inyo,” he said.

Apart from the Christmas treat, the Dumagats were also entertained by performances of singer-comedian Norman Mitchell, PAGCOR homegrown talent Roanne and the PAGCOR Voice Symphony.

PAGCOR Assistant Vice President for Community Relations and Services Arnell Ignacio who graced the event said he was happy to visit the Dumagats through the agency’s Pamaskong Handog. “Masaya po kami dahil nag-enjoy kayo ngayon at kahit papaano po ay napasaya namin ang Pasko ninyo. Maraming salamat po sa pag-tanggap sa amin dito,” he said.

This year, PAGCOR has allocated a total of P22.4 million for its traditional Pamaskong Handog. Thestate-run gaming corporation allocated P22.4 million for the 13-day nationwide gift-giving activity that benefited about 13,000 individuals from the marginalized sectors of society.

Go back