At a glance, one would not notice the unspeakable horror that 17-year-old Tintin went through during her childhood. She is no longer the skinny and bruised young girl who was locked in a dog cage before she was rescued from her father’s abusive friend.

Tintin was brought to the Center of Hope in Biñan, Laguna by a kind-hearted neighbor. The institution, which handles cases of child sexual and physical abuses has been her home for the past six years.

This Christmas season, Tintin is one of the 250 wards of Center of Hope who received a festive Yuletide treat from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) during the 10th day of the agency’s Pamaskong Handog 2015.

During the event, the institution’s beneficiaries enjoyed a lively Christmas party complete with food and entertainment. They also received noche buena gift packs containing Christmas goodies like ham, cheese, cookies and pasta noodles, among others.

PAGCOR President and COO Jorge Sarmiento proudly noted the support given by the state-run gaming firm’s officials and employees for the Pamaskong Handog 2015 gift-giving series that spreads Yuletide cheers to the impoverished sectors of society.

"Nagagalak po ako na makitang muling sama-sama ang PAGCOR officials at employees sa paghahatid-saya sa marami nating kababayan, lalo na sa ating mga kabataan ngayong panahon ng Kapaskuhan.  Hangad po naming makapag-abot ng tulong sa mas marami pang nangangailangan sa mga darating na panahon," Sarmiento said.

Center of Hope Executive Director Moises Velasco Jr. said that it was the first time that a big company like PAGCOR hosted a grand Christmas celebration for their beneficiaries.  He added that having a big event like PAGCOR’s Pamaskong Handog give their wards a chance to feel the real joy of the Yuletide season.

“Noong ibalita ko sa kanila na magkakaroon ng gift-giving event dito ang PAGCOR, talagang tuwang-tuwa sila. Sa pamamagitan kasi ng mga okasyong tulad nito ay nadarama nila na maraming nagmamahal sa kanila at nabibigyan sila ng importansya,” Velasco related.

Apart from the Center of Hope, PAGCOR also played Santa to 133 abused and neglected children under the care Kanlungan sa ER-MA Ministry, Incorporated (Kanlungan) last December 8, 2015.

The organization which is based in Malate, Manila cares for abused and neglected children. Through its interventions such as rehabilitation and education, abandoned kids are able to start a new life in a secure and loving environment.

Kanlungan’s Executive Director Sol Barbero said the organization has been in operation for the past 27 years. It was established in 1988 in response to the growing number of abused and exploited children in Ermita and Malate in Manila.

Barbero explained that their organization’s mission is to give abused children another chance at life, no matter what they have gone through. Kanlungan also serves as a refuge for children outside Manila. The institution’s funding mainly comes from donations and fund-raising projects.

Barbero added that although their organization wants to help as many children as they can, funding their needs remains a challenge. “We are feeding more than a hundred kids three to five times a day kaya malaking bagay itong bigay ng PAGCOR sa amin.  We became more inspired to stand by our mission when there are other people and institutions like PAGCOR who show their support to organizations like us.  We really thank the agency for choosing to help these kids”, Balbero said.

Coinciding with the event at Kanlungan was PAGCOR’s gift-giving activity for nearly 200 orphans, neglected children and indigent families under the care of three institutions in Pampanga.

The beneficiaries of Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc.; International Children’s Care Philippines Foundation, Inc. and Social Action of Pampanga (SACOP) were also treated to a festive Christmas party by PAGCOR. They received gift packs containing toiletries and noche buena items.

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