PAGCOR’s gift-giving program runs from November 25 to December 19, and will touch the lives of more than 7,000 beneficiaries from 36 charitable institutions in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Tagaytay, Olongapo, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Rizal.

Unang Lingap, which currently sponsors 4,687 youth and children from low-income families in urban slum communities, became the second institution chosen by PAGCOR for its massive Christmas gift-giving project this year.

The state-owned gaming firm has allocated P25 million for the conduct of the Pamaskong Handog project, which also coincides with PAGCOR’s commemoration of its Silver Anniversary this year. Instead of having a lavish anniversary celebration for its 25th year, PAGCOR decided to embark on 25 days of gift-giving to the most neglected sectors of society.

Henry Reyes, PAGCOR’s Assistant VP for Community Relations and Services Department (CRSD), noted that ULKPI’s advocacy to bring real and lasting change to children and youth living in poverty is truly commendable. “They provide the children with the opportunity to be educated and to grow up healthy, and we want to help them in this endeavor,” he said.

“We are glad that we were able to share our blessings with the wards of Unang Lingap, just like what we did yesterday to the 350 handicapped workers of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan,” Reyes added.

The 220 children under the care of Unang Lingap were given food and special Christmas gift packs containing grocery items and toiletries. Adding color to the gift-giving activity were the special entertainment numbers of Lloyd Zaragosa, Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 contestant Hansen Nichols, and the PAGCOR Voice Symphony.

PAGCOR also granted the institution’s wish list of six complete computer sets for the use of the children in Unang Lingap’s six service area centers in Quezon City, Manila, Malabon and Caloocan. The computer sets were formally turned over to the foundation by PAGCOR officials and personnel led by Slot Machine Department Assistant VP Eduardo de Guzman, and Casino Filipino Hyatt Branch Manager Tomas Consolacion, Jr.

According to ULKPI Communications Coordinator Carmie Carpio, their agency will start a Social Networking Program and Basic Computer Skills Course next year. “The computers and printers that we received from PAGCOR will equip our six centers in ensuring better computer access among our beneficiaries. Malaking tulong ito sa aming mga beneficiaries. Mas marami na sa kanila ngayon ang makaka-experience at magkakaroon ng kaalaman sa paggamit ng computers,” she explained.

Since 1990, Unang Lingap has been working to uplift the quality of life of its sponsored children/youth and their families through integral programs contributing to their well-being such as school completion.

Carpio said the foundation puts high value on educating the children and youth coming from poor families. They are able to fulfill this mission through the monthly contributions they get from several generous individual sponsors, donors and partners.

She added that their agency is open to work hand-in-hand with other organizations who want to reach out to the children and youth. “We are very appreciative of any support we receive from other agencies because it means a lot especially to the families and children under our institution.”

According to Carpio, “any support like additional vocational scholarships will be of great value and will make a lasting difference to their lives. PAGCOR can help us carry out our educational initiatives which are not part of our core programs.” One of such initiatives caters to the out-of-school youth who are given livelihood and skills trainings opportunities by Unang Lingap.

A sponsored child since 1998, 18-year old Hazzen Ramos said being a beneficiary of Unang Lingap provides a huge relief to her family. The foundation helps her to pursue her studies through its HOPE Scholarship. She is now a second year Banking and Finance student at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). “Unang Lingap has helped me and my family in many ways. Without them, I would not have been able to get to where I am now.”

Hazzen is also grateful to PAGCOR for the Christmas gifts she and her co-sponsored youth received. “Very thankful po ako sa PAGCOR dahil napakaraming organizations at foundations dito sa Pilipinas pero isa kami sa pinili nila. Nakakatuwa lang din po dahil may mga companies po na katulad ng PAGCOR na willing mag-extend ng tulong sa mga nangangailangan tulad ng mga bata dito sa Unang Lingap.”

Meanwhile, Unang Lingap Kapwa Chairman of the Board Ferdie Escobar expressed his gratitude to PAGCOR for its support to the organization’s mission and for choosing them as one of the recipients of its Pamaskong Handog 2011 gift-giving project. “We are very thankful to PAGCOR for their wonderful gifts to our children. Malaking bagay ito dahil maraming bata ang napasaya, especially this coming Christmas which is the best time of the year,” he said.

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