(Happy kids all with their equally happy benefactors. Photo Courtesy of Deng Pangilinan)
CLARK FREEPORT – A month after hanging their wish cards on a giant Christmas Tree, hundreds of Aeta children finally got their wishes come true on Tuesday.
Midori Hotel and Casino’s gift-giving activity in line with their Angels’ Dream 2018 project, benefitted 800 enthusiastic Aeta kids whose expressed wishes found fulfilment.
Leading the gift-giving activity at the hotel lobby was Dr. Irineo “Bong” Alvaro, Jr., BBI president and CEO, who marveled the kids with his spontaneity as he delivered his message of sharing and giving this Yuletide season.
“Christmas time is a period of sharing that is why these people,” pointing to Midori Hotel general manager Vic Chan and Simon Jiang, acting general manager of Aqua Planet and president of Eagle Sky Technology, Amusement, Inc., “are sharing their gifts to us,” Alvaro said.
“In our own little way, this is how we express how thankful we are,” he said. “The group of BB International which operates Midori, Aqua Planet, Eagle Sky and Central Summit International, would like to express our gratitude to all the blessings that we received from day one of this operation and how we return it through helping these little children.”
“The best help that we can give this Christmas time is to help those people who find it difficult to answer back on the help that we give,” Alvaro pointed out.
“And this is an expression of that because these children cannot repay what we gave them. Hindi kayang ibalik yung ibinibigay natin. Yun ang talagang meaning ng kapaskuhan, tumutulong sa mga taong hindi kayang maibalik ang ating ibinibigay,” Alvaro said.
“And this is the kind of culture that we would want to introduce to Midori, to Aqua Planet and all the companies that are associated with BB International. This is the culture of giving it to those who cannot give it back, giving something to those who cannot respond the same way, this is our kind of culture and this is the culture of BB International,” he declared.
Chan echoed Alvarez’s message as he rejoiced in the occasion: “Through this project, we will be able to share our blessings to 800 little angels.”
Chan also expressed his gratitude to all those who supported Angels’ Dream since it started two years ago as he declared that next year the little angels will reach 1,000.
Jumong Rogando from the Sapang Bato Elementary School represented the kids as he shared his experience and thanked everybody: “Kami po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa mga biyayang ipinagkaloob ninyo sa amin.”
Rendering a cappella Christmas songs were the Systems Plus College Foundation Choral while the beauteous winners of Miss Midori Clark 2018 assisted in the gift distribution.
Aside from Alvaro, Jiang and Chan, senior executives of the BBI group were also present including Edgar Lim, Jason Chang, James Lee, Annel Diaz and Midori Casino general manager Manny Aure who delivered the closing remarks in the program.
The gift-giving activity capped the month-long run of this year’s Angels’ Dream in line with the celebration of Midori Hotel and Casino’s festivities for the holiday season.
The Aeta kids came from schools in Sapang Bato and Sitio Target in Angeles City and Monicayo, Haduan, Calapi, Macapagal and Marcos Villages in Mabalacat City and Bamban, Tarlac.
