WE WIN AS ONE. Duyan ni Maria founder Sr. Mary Casas (center) flashes a big smile with the Singaporean delegates to the 30th SEA Games. Standing beside Casas is Singapore National Olympic Council secretary general Chris Chan. Photo by Joann Valenciano
MABALACAT CITY — A visit and a donation to a children’s charity institution here concluded the engagement of the Singaporean delegates at the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
As the Games are about to end, Quest Plus Conference Center Clark wholeheartedly agreed to fulfill the desire of the Singaporean delegates, led by Singapore National Olympic Council secretary general Christopher Chan, to bring cheers and warm the hearts of the children at the Duyan ni Maria Children’s Home here on Monday.
Chan, together with delegates and athletes from the softball and wakeboarding teams, conducted the outreach program by donating P100,000 worth of Sodexo gift certificates to the children. The delegates also handed out Quest Plus Clark’s Christmas Abe Teddy Bears and lunch meals.
According to Chan, he found out about the charity foundation during his stay at Quest Plus Clark where the hotel is currently on holiday festivity displays with the Disenyong Pinatubo ornaments and Abe the Christmas Teddy Bear.
Chan said he also wanted to show the athletes how fortunate they are: “I thought we can bring some cheer to people from the less fortunate. It is also a good opportunity for the athletes to know they are fortunate with what they have back home.”
“It is not only about themselves winning medals, it’s also about doing good, becoming a better person as part of their athletic journey,” Chan noted.
The athletes and delegates felt overwhelmed and said the 30th SEA Games have been a wonderful experience for them. They also said the hospitality of the Filipinos, aside from the food, has made their stay more meaningful and special.
“We are happy that we are here. The SEA Games have been wonderful,” said Bryan Ng, Singapore team coach and former athlete.
“Some of the athletes are going back to Singapore tomorrow so they will not be in the closing ceremony. But this is a very good experience for them,” Ng said.
Before going back to the hotel, the Singaporeans made a quick sojourn to a nearby Jollibee restaurant in Clark Freeport where they partook of the famous Chicken Joy and Spaghetti.
Founded by Sr. Mary Casas, the Duyan ni Maria Children’s Home is a non-government charity institution for the less fortunate, abused and orphaned children for the past 30 years.
Meanwhile, the Christmas Abe Teddy Bears and Disenyong Pinatubo ornaments made from lahar are still available at Quest Plus Conference Center. Proceeds from the sales will go to Duyan ni Maria as the hotel’s chosen beneficiary.
