The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) continues to share Christmas blessings to the less privileged as it conducted today a gift-giving event for abused, neglected and abandoned children under the care of the National Training School for Girls Marillac Hills in Muntinlupa City.

192 girls under the care of Marillac Hills together with the shelter’s 84 support staff received Christmas gift packs from PAGCOR. The agency also granted the institution’s Christmas wish list of two 32” LCD television sets, four units of blood pressure apparatus and stethoscope, five plastic cabinets, five stand fans, five ceiling fans, and one steel cabinet.

Marillac Hills is a rehabilitation center for young girls who are victims of abuse, exploitation, human trafficking and are in conflict with the law.

One of PAGCOR’s Pamaskong Handog beneficiaries in the center is 18 year-old Lorna who has been with the institution for five years now. “Salamat po sa maagang pamasko. Nagpapasalamat kami sa PAGCOR at sa lahat ng patuloy na tumutulong sa amin. Sana hindi po kayo magsawang tumulong sa amin.”

Lorna shared that through the help of the foundation, she was given the opportunity to change her life and become a better person. Through the center’s help, Lorna was able to get a benefactor who would sponsor her college studies. She will soon be pursuing a degree in Information Technology.

Another ward of the institution - 18-year old Mildred – cited that PAGCOR’s donations will not only benefit them but also those who will someday need a shelter to stay in. “Kumbaga lahat ng mga tulong ninyo sa amin ay patuloy po na makakatulong hanggang sa mga susunod pang henerasyon. Maraming salamat po.” Like Lorna, she has been with the center for the last five years and is hoping to finish her high school education soon. She is also looking forward to the day when she can share her achievements to Marillac Hills which has given her a home.

Marillac Hills Center Head Ma. Clara P. De Guzman also expressed her gratitude to PAGCOR for being one of the new benefactors of the center. “Maraming salamat po at napansin ninyo ang aming lugar,” she said.

Likewise, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - National Capital Region Assistant Regional Director Delia Baoan thanked the state-owned gaming firm for helping another center of the DSWD. “Malaking tulong po ito sa aming institusyon. Taus-puso po kaming nagpapasalamat at napasaya po ninyo ang aming mga pasyente at maging ang aming staff,” Baoan said.

PAGCOR COO Jorge Sarmiento, on the other hand, said that PAGCOR is happy that Marillac Hills, including Haven for Women, were included in the Corporation’s 25 days of gift-giving project. “This is what we really want to do. To be of help to those in need, to make the less fortunate happy especially during this season of hope and giving,” he cited.

Other PAGCOR officials present during the event were Airport Casino Filipino (ACF) General Manager Ernesto Francisco, ACF Branch Managers Ruel Santos and Dan Enriquez, Casino Filipino Heritage Branch Manager Arthur Malatag, and Assistant Vice President for Community Relations and Services Henry Reyes. They were also joined by Miss Casino Filipino 2011 Catrine Rosary Ocampo.

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