PAGCOR's "Pamaskong Handog 2010" benefits special kids, youth offenders - DAY 5
The Paranaque SPED Center is one of the 24 charitable institutions chosen by PAGCOR as Pamaskong Handog beneficiaries. Also in photo are Paranaque City First Lady Girlie Bernabe (2nd from right) and some school officials of Tambo Elementary School in Paranaque.
PAGCOR AVP for Corporate Communications Maricar Bautista (6th from right) spearheads the distribution of Christmas gift packs for the special children of 12 schools under the Paranaque Elementary School Central Special Education (SPED) Center. (Inset) Paranaque City First Lady Girlie Bernabe also joined PAGCOR's gift-giving activity.
Over 400 special children and almost 200 youth offenders from Paranaque City and Manila City, respectively, became the fifth-day beneficiaries of PAGCOR's "Pamaskong Handog 2010 - 12 Days of Christmas" gift giving project.
PAGCOR shared its blessings to the Paranaque Elementary School Central Special Education (SPED) Center and Manila Youth Reception Center (MYRC), two of the 24 charitable institutions chosen by PAGCOR as Pamaskong Handog beneficiaries. The state-gaming firm distributed food during the event, as well as gift packs containing toiletries, clothing and other basic goods to the beneficiaries.
Matinee idol and commercial model Lloyd Zaragoza and the PAGCOR Voice Symphony kept the students of Paranaque SPED Center entertained. Meanwhile, Jingky, one of the vocalists of the Freestyle Band, sang for the youth residents of MYRC.
PAGCOR also granted the organizations' wish list for Christmas. The Paranaque Elementary School's SPED Center asked for an electronic keyboard and guitar, Braille/drawing papers, industrial stand fans, 50 pillows and blankets, kitchen wares and water dispenser for its students. The MYRC requested for a chest-type freezer, refrigerator, cookware set, groceries, sleeping mats, industrial fans, computer, printer, boxing gloves, punching bags and ceiling fans.
Most of the students from the Paranaque's SPED Center come from low income families in Paranaque and nearby areas. The Center, which comprises 12 public elementary and high schools in various areas in Paranaque offers special education for students who are physically impaired, mentally challenged, blind, deaf and autistic.
Dr. Editha Baggayan, School Principal of Paranque SPED Center, says she is elated that PAGCOR included their institutions as one of the beneficiaries of its gift-giving mission. "We feel so blessed. It is good to know that our students are also loved by people and organizations outside the school," she said.
According to Annie Capiral, Special Education Supervisor of Tambo Elementary School, there are 410 students currently enrolled in the 12 schools under the Paranaque SPED Center.
"When special education was first offered in the public elementary schools of Paranaque, we only had three students. But the number of special children increased through the years. The society has learned to accept that special children too have rights, regardless of their differences and disabilities," she said.
Capiral added that as special educators, their ultimate goal is for special children to be treated like normal people or to be able to perform simple chores.
Meanwhile, Leah Mirante, Officer-in-Charge of the MYRC expressed gratitude to PAGCOR for making the Christmas of youth offenders memorable. "As social workers, we do our best to make these children in conflict with the law feel that they too are important," she said.
"We have to make sure that their basic rights to education, decent shelter, clothing and food are adequately addressed. However, the facilities of the MYRC are no longer fit to address these needs," she added.
The MYRC is the pioneer youth home in Metro Manila that served as shelter of youth offenders. It addresses the varying needs of residents through special educational programs. Although originally designed for 100 residents, the MYRC currently houses 180 juvenile delinquents from Manila, particularly from the Districts of Tondo and Sta. Cruz. Poverty, peer pressure and being in a dysfunctional family are among the major reasons why youth offenders continue to grow in number.
PAGCOR's Christmas donations to the Center, says Mirante, will go a long way, since most of the institution's equipment and facilities are outdated and no longer functional.
"We are very thankful to PAGCOR for remembering us and for being our partner through the years in promoting the welfare of these children under our watch," she said.
PAGCOR's "Pamaskong Handog 2010 - 12 Days of Christmas" project is also held simultaneously nationwide through PAGCOR's provincial branches in Tagaytay, Mimosa, Angeles, Olongapo, Laoag, Cebu, Mactan, Bacolod and Davao.
"Tomorrow morning PAGCOR is going to the Trichet Learning Center in Makati to give gifts to more than 200 special children. In the afternoon, we will visit the Tahanan ng mga Abang Anak ni Maria in Quezon City with 120 street kids as beneficiaries," Bautista said.