302 Brigade joins the first ever "Wish Upon A Star" in Negros Oriental
The 302nd Infantry (Achiever) Brigade under the command of Colonel Manuel Luis M Ochotorena joined the gift giving event dubbed as "Wish Upon A Star" initiated by the Oriental Negros Children's Advocacy Network (ONCAN) in cooperation with other stakeholders.
The event which would highlight the simple wishes of 200 poor with sponsors but deserving children all over Negros Oriental was held in the afternoon on December 17, 2010 at the Robinsons Place, Dumaguete City. Their wishes along with the children's pictures were hung in the mall's Christmas tree where everyone can see.
At 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon that day, the wishes of the 200 children came into reality. Some wished for food, stroller for the special children, clothes, bags, shoes, bicycles to be used in going to school, and many others that these children did not have before.
The children were full of joy when they received their gifts, while tears of joy were seen from the parents, donors including some spectators. After the gift giving, the children were delighted while taking their snacks inside the Robinsons Place.
The event was the first ever gift giving activity to have been attended by the military in the province with the 302nd Achiever Live Band making the experience very memorable for the children beneficiaries. The 11th Infantry (Lapu-lapu) Battalion under Lt Col Ramil M Bitong and the 79th Infantry (Masaligan) Battalion under Lt Col Pio Q Dinoso lll facilitated sixty children beneficiaries ranging from five (5) to twelve (12) years old who were mostly children of former rebels and poor families in the hinterlands.
Also highlighting the activity was the program graciously organized with the presence of distinguished officials and guests in the province. Significant attendees were Congressman George P Arnaiz of the 2nd District of Negros Oriental, NOPPO Provincial Director PSSUPT Rey Lyndon Lawas, Rainbow Village Director Mike Yost, Dumaguete City Administrator William Ablong, ONCAN President Marietta "Baby" Jambora and other beneficiaries.
