Parklane Hotel to host 'angels'

As The FREEMAN Foundation embarks on the second year of its "Adopt an Angel" project, it has recently established tie-ups with Parklane International Hotel, located along Archbishop Reyes avenue, for venue and food through Mr. Alan Ting, the vice president for sales and marketing.

After the foundation was able to treat 48 indigent children last Christmas to a fun day, 100 indigent children are expected to experience the same this year at the Parklane Hotel. This year's theme reflects the significance of the core of the foundation's mission - "Sharing Everything We Own - Our Heart, Our Life, Our Time, Our Vision".

Parklane, through Mr. Ting, vowed to also help sell Christmas lanterns priced at P100 each to raise more funds for the project. Lanterns shall bear donors' names. These will be hanged at the hotel's 13-foot Christmas tree.

Last December 10, 48 indigent kids of whom 16 volunteers of the Core Group identified and picked from various depressed areas in the metropolis were "adopted" by the foundation. Sulpicio Lines, Inc. provided bags for the recipients, ranging from 6 to 10-year-olds of Minglanilla, Pardo, Mambaling, Talisay City and Mandaue City. Sulpicio sailed with the foundation and provided a lifeline as the foundation tread charitable waters with the children during the Advent season, with the firm belief that Christmases belong to them.

Also, Chilen's Chicharon not only provided pork crisps but also shouldered the cost for the shirts marked with the TFF logo and the red shorts sported on by the children.

With donations from University of the Visayas assistant vice president Joselito "Jiji" Gullas who chipped in P5,000 cash and Star Group of Publications chief executive officer, and this paper's president Miguel Go Belmonte for another P5,000 cash, prizes for games including special awards were purchased. The donations also shouldered the kids' first meals (pospas or porridge with strips of chicken meat). Afterwhich, they were taken to the Family Park in Talamban managed by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District where they were treated to games and other fun activities.

Response to the fund drive launched was overwhelming because there was a woman who skipped throwing for herself a birthday bash just so she would be able to donate P5,000 for the indigent kids. The rest of the donors, like her, found it comfortable to be acknowledged in anonymity.

Meridian Estate-Park Terrace Homes joined in carrying out the project at the Family Park by distributing school supplies in plastic envelopes of assorted colors to the 48 children - three of whom were suffering from physical deformities.

Jollibee VisMin office provided entertainment through the presence of the Jollibee mascot and also provided packed lunch.

Graphic Star did the artwork on the project streamer, Jaja Chiongbian provided tasty popcorn, Rose Gaisano of Gaisano Main also stood as one of the benefactors, while Red Ribbon provided goodies. - Maria Eleanor Elape Valeros