US Marines play Santa to Basco folk

After two failed attempts to land over the past months due to adverse weather conditions, a small group of US Marines based in Okinawa, Japan, made a short side trip to Basco, Batanes to provide Christmas joy.

"The third time’s the charm," said US Marine Col. Gary Shaw, deputy wing commander of the 1st Marine Aircraft in Okinawa.

"We always refuel our helicopters here (in Basco) on the way to bilateral exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the people of Basco always welcome us. We really wanted to get in here and thank them again this year," Shaw said.

The US Marines were part of the contingent participating in the annual "Operation Goodwill Delivery" with more than 20,000 pounds of food, healthcare items, clothes, sporting goods and toys for communities and charitable institutions in Palawan and Northern Luzon.

The US Marines and their families in Okinawa created the program in 2003 to show their gratitude to the Filipino communities who welcomed them during the annual bilateral exercises.

"The US Marines work each year with their families to gather donations and then deliver toys and supplies to Filipino children over the holiday season," said US Marine public affairs officer 1Lt. Eric Tausch.

The US Marines also went over to Subic, Zambales and distributed goods and donations at the Aeta resettlement area in Sitio Gala, Barangay Sacatihan.

Much to the delight of the children, a US Navy officer from the US Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines played Santa Claus and entertained them with his infectious "Ho-ho-ho" laughter.

Non-government organizations like the Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission Inc. (FOLPMI) led by Sister Eva Fidela Maamo also helped the American troops in distributing toys and school supplies to the children.

The US soldiers also donated P156,677.50 to Maamo to help FOLPMI’s charitable missions.

"This is a very wonderful donation. In fact, a portion of the money will be used for a special holiday meal on Dec. 19 for the malnourished children the foundation assists," Maamo said.

The Americans also made donations to Duyan Ni Maria (Mary’s Cradle Orphanage) in Angeles City in Pampanga, and donated similar gifts to the indigent residents living near the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Operation Goodwill is expected to continue next week in Manila where the US Marines will be presenting a check to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) for its relief efforts.

Tausch said Operation Goodwill will last up to Dec. 19, noting that apart from toys and other material goods, some P400,000 has also been raised for the project for beneficiaries recommended by AFP chaplains.

"We are now in the process of distributing 22,000 pounds of toys, clothes, sporting goods and healthcare and food items to several communities throughout the Philippines," Tausch said. — Bebot Sison, Ding Cervantes