by Jerwin Delcallar
At least 150 indigent children of Barangay San Rafael in Taft, Eastern Samar had their share of food and moment of fun and laughter during the Feeding And Gift-Giving Program carried out by the media and the military in that coastal town last March 10.
The whole-day activity was initiated by the 8th ID Press Corps, in partnership with the Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders Inc.(EVMWBI)—both organizations of journalists in the region headed by national news correspondent Miriam Desacada—to bring joy to the children who were accompanied by their parents partaking likewise of the goodies.
Troops of the 78th Infantry Battalion, headed by its CMO officer 2nd Lt. Christopher Tanteo, extended assistance by providing security and manpower, in line with the request of Major General Camilo Z. Ligayo, commander of the Catbalogan-based 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, thru DPAO chief, Captain Jefferson Mariano.
Packed foods and assorted gifts, such as school bags and supplies, were distributed to the children during that joyful occasion, which included parlor games participated in by the parents or mothers who also vied for cash prices.
Barangay Councilwoman (Kagawad) Angeline Moscosa joined Tanteo in expressing gratitude to the 8th ID Press Corps and the EVMWBI for the simple but momentous event for children.
“Malaking tulong ito sa mga bata; nakakain sila at nakapagbukas ng mga regalo. Isang inspirasyon nang Makita moa ng mga ngiti at halakhak ng mga bata. Kasama rin rumampa ang mga masayang nanay na nakatanggap din ng cash gifts mula sa journalists at mga sundalo,” said Moscosa who was also thankful that her barangay was chosen recipient of the program.
Desacada said it’s one of the many programmed civic activities of the 8ID Press Corps, which Ligayo reorganized this year. On the side of the EVMWBI, Desacada said the regional journalist-members of the organization had been into this kind of project every year over the past five years. — _________.