APO Christmas Outreach 2010

with Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation Philippines, Inc. (NCFPI)
By Dr. Laarni Serraon

For the past two years, APO has been celebrating Christmas with selected charitable institutions like Hospicio de San Jose in 2008 and Center for Battered Children in Tagaytay in 2009. This year, we joined the NCFPI (Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation Philippines Inc.) spearheaded by President Dr. Glenda De Villa in celebrating this Yuletide season with their “Christmas Thanksgiving Party”. It was held last December 6, 2010 at Our Lady of Peace hospital in Paranaque City.

Aside from APO, other sponsors of NCFPI were there: Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) headed by Ambassador Donald C.T. Lee, Tahanang Walang Hagdanan Foundation and Our Lady of Peace Hospital Staff. This party was an opportune time for us to meet thepatients of NCFPI who were beneficiaries of APO. We have been sponsoring NCFPI patients since 2005 and at the moment, we already have 36 ongoing cases of cleft lip and palate (CLAP) patients being treated with fixed appliances. A number of sponsored patients gave their messages of appreciation to NCFPI and APO namely Maharlika Frianeza with son Justin Frianeza, Noemi Concepcion, Brian Gumiran, Dulce Estabaya and John Michael Domingo. There were song numbers presented by Genson Jakosalem and Yeb Juan. Parlor games prepared by Dr. Chrys Marquez were held after lunch. Prizes and loot bags were distributed to the delight of the children and mothers who were there.

It was wonderful to see how our partnership with NCFPI has helped our CLAP patients lead a better life. We hope that we can continue in this endeavor as part of our social responsibility to the society.