THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) grand gift-giving activity, dubbed “Bayanihan: Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR 2012” kicked off today by making Christmas merrier and more meaningful for some 300 youth and children of LINGAP Pangkabataan, Inc. in Cubao, Quezon City.

LINGAP Pangkabataan is an organization that takes care of indigent, destitute, abandoned and orphaned children, their families and communities.

PAGCOR allocated more than P400,000 for the gift-giving in LINGAP. The agency gave the children and their families Christmas gift packs containing various grocery items. What made the gift-giving more relevant for the beneficiaries of LINGAP is PAGCOR’s turnover of a renovated reading center for their use. This is part of Pamaskong Handog’s “bayanihan” component.

Employees and workers of PAGCOR renovated the institution’s reading center by replacing its defective ceramic tiles, repairing and repainting the center’s ceiling, painting of its walls, installation of lights, windows, cabinets and computer tables. The state-owned gaming corporation also fulfilled LINGAP’s Christmas wish to have six sets of computers and printers for the use of their wards.

“Ang Pamaskong Handog ng PAGCOR ay programa sa pangunguna ni Chairman Cristino Naguiat, Jr. Every year ay pumipili ang PAGCOR ng mga institutions na ang adhikain ay ang tumulong sa mga mahihirap at itaas ang antas ng karunungan ng mga kabataan,” said PAGCOR Assistant VP for Community Relations Henry Reyes.

“Narito ang PAGCOR para tumulong sa adhikain ng Lingap Pangkabataan, inimprove kung ano ang meron sila, at nagdagdag ng mga computers para sa mga batang nangangailangan,” Reyes added.

Mario Liwag, Chairman of LINGAP’s Board of Trustees, said PAGCOR’s early Christmas gifts, particularly the reading center which is being used as an alternative learning venue will have a great impact on the less fortunate children under the institution’s care.

“These children come mostly from poor families. They lack access to reference materials. We are thankful to PAGCOR for choosing us as one of the beneficiaries of its gift-giving this year. The new reading center and the new computer sets will not only help in their studies but also motivate them to pursue a better life than be on the streets,” Liwag said.

The beneficiaries of LINGAP Pangkabataan were also given a grand Christmas party complete with food and entertainment. Gracing the event to entertain the beneficiaries are singers Duncan Ramos and Hansen Nichols.

From the time it was established in 1981, Lingap Pangkabataan has already helped and assisted more than 18,000 Filipino children and their families through various community-based and center-based programs and services in partnership with local churches throughout the country.

Fourteen-year old Reynaida Laja is proud to share how Lingap has helped her in many ways. “Pumupunta ako sa Lingap para gumawa ng assignment at mag-aral lalo na yung mga hindi namin masyadong naintindihan sa school. Tinuturuan din kami ng mga teachers dito,” she shared. Lingap has also taught Reynaida spiritual values, how to become strong and how to keep a positive view on life.

Reynaida is also thankful to PAGCOR for considering them as part of the agency’s Pamaskong Handog beneficiaries this year. “Salamat po sa pagbibigay sa amin ng mga regalo dahil malaking bagay po ito para sa mga batang katulad ko na walang-wala. At salamat din po sa panibagong reading centers at bagong mga computers. Makakatulong po ito para mas dumami pa ang aming kaalaman,” she said.

PAGCOR’s Christmas gift-giving program this year runs from November 29 to December 20, 2012. It will touch the lives of more than 8,600 beneficiaries in 41 charitable institutions nationwide.

Go back