Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR 2011 reaches out to 180 Crippled Kids
Wednesday | November 30, 2011 | 9:01 AM
Pablito never yearns for any material gift. All he wants is to be reunited with his long-lost mother, whose face he could hardly recall as he was only a toddler when she abandoned him and their family.
19-year old Pablito Patilan, who is afflicted with a genetic bone disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta or brittle bone disease, receives a Christmas gift pack from PAGCOR Assistant VP for Community Relations and Services Henry Reyes (right) during the state-gaming firm’s gift giving activity at the National Orthopedic Hospital School for Crippled Children on November 29, 2011. Looking on is Raissa Laurel (middle), one of the September 2010 La Salle bombing victims, who was left crippled after losing both legs from the bombing incident but is now able to walk using the prosthetic legs donated to her by PAGCOR.
“Wala po akong ibang hinangad tuwing sasapit ang panahon ng Kapaskuhan kundi ang makita at makapiling muli ang mother ko,” shares Pablito, who is afflicted with a genetic bone disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta or brittle bone disease.
But even if his dream of being with his mother again remains elusive, Pablito found a reason to celebrate an early merry Christmas this year as he was among the 180 physically handicapped students of the NOH School for Crippled Children who received Yuletide presents from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) today through its Pamaskong Handog project.
Now on its fifth day, the “Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR 2011: 25 days of Christmas, 25 Years of PAGCOR” project has a total budget of P25 million. It will run for 25 straight days from November 25 until December 19, and will have as beneficiaries more than 7,000 wards under the care of 36 charitable institutions nationwide. The project is PAGCOR’s way of commemorating its Silver Anniversary this year.
Pablito and his schoolmates received Christmas gift packs containing assorted grocery items and toiletries from PAGCOR. The state-owned gaming firm also fulfilled the school’s wish list for two split-type air-conditioning units, one multimedia projector with screen, one gas range oven, 10 double-decker beds, 20 mattresses, 14 white boards, and 50 beddings.
“Masayang masaya po kami sa aming mga tinanggap na mga aginaldo mula sa PAGCOR. Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng tulong na ito,” enthused Pablito.
Two young students of the National Orthopedic Hospital (NOH) School for Crippled Children happily oblige for a photo op with Miss Casino Filipino 2011 1st Runner-Up Glennifer Perido during the “Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR 2011: 25 Days of Christmas, 25 Years of PAGCOR” gift-giving event conducted in their school on November 29. A total of 180 crippled kids under the care of the School for the Crippled Children became beneficiaries of the fifth day of PAGCOR’s Pamaskong Handog 2011 project, which started on November 25 and ends on December 19. The state-run gaming firm has allocated a P25 million budget for the project that will reach out to more than 7,000 beneficiaries in 36 charitable institutions nationwide.
Meantime, NOH School for Crippled Children Principal Dr. Florito Gerena expressed profuse gratitude for the Christmas presents from PAGCOR. “Hindi po namin inaasahan ang mga tulong at regalong ito kaya’t masayang-masaya po kami at taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa PAGCOR. In the 64 years of existence of our institution, ngayon lang po nagkaroon ng ganito kalaking activity sa amin. Sana po ay mas marami pang gaya naming nangangailangan ng suporta ang matulungan ng PAGCOR.”
The NOH School for Crippled Children is a special school founded in 1947 by then NOH Director J.V. Delos Santos. The institution provides orthopedically handicapped children with educational opportunities that can help in their optimum development.
Gracing the PAGCOR gift-giving event to provide encouragement and inspiration to the crippled children was Raissa Laurel, a survivor of the September 2010 La Salle bombing incident. Laurel lost both of her legs during the said incident, but is now able to walk using the prosthetic legs donated to her by PAGCOR.
She expressed her gratitude to PAGCOR for inviting her to the Pamaskong Handog activity, which she said gave her the opportunity to serve and mingle with physically-handicapped youths like her.
“Being with these kids is such an inspiring experience. Katulad ko rin ang mga batang ito na may kapansanan pero ang kaibahan lang namin, sila in-born ang disability nila samantalang ako, biktima ng isang insidente. Muli ay pinapasalamatan ko po ang PAGCOR dahil gaya ng mga batang ito, ako po ay natulungan din ng ahensya sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay sa akin ng artificial legs,” Laurel explained.
Young actor-commercial model Lloyd Zaragosa and the PAGCOR Voice Symphony provided entertainment for the institution’s beneficiaries. The activity was also attended by Henry Reyes, PAGCOR Assistant VP for Community Relations and Services Department, Branch Manager Arthur Malatag who is Officer-in-Charge of Casino Filipino Heritage, and Miss Casino Filipino 2011 1st runner-up Glennifer Perido.