For the second time since December 2005, a group of US Marines based in Okinawa, Japan came to Bacolod City again on Saturday to distribute gifts to 150 blind and orphaned Negrense children.

"This is a goodwill gesture of our enduring relationship with the people of the Philippines," group leader Col. Chet Jolley, chief of staff of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, said during a short program held just outside the Bacolod airport terminal where the gift-giving took place. "It's a pleasure to present these gifts. Our mission is helping friends," he said.

The children included 30 blind students of the Bacolod SPED Center led by their teacher Sarah Alcachupas and 130 others who are under the care of the Calvary Chapel Bacolod of Rev. Joseph Rosmarino.

They received toys, clothes, candy bars, school supplies, sporting goods, and health care items.

The gift-giving activity is part of the US Marines' "Operation Goodwill" formed in 2003 to show appreciation to the Filipino children and their families for welcoming them during their annual bilateral exercises in the country.

Gunnery Sergeant Jerry Ray of the III MEF Public Affairs Office, who is married to a Filipina from Leyte, said US Marine soldiers who have come to the Philippines worked with their families to gather the donations.

Also part of US Marines group was Talisay City native Manuel "Don" Biadog Jr., headquarters group chaplain of the III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Biadog, together with another group of US Marines, first brought gifts to Negrense children more than a year ago under the program, "Toys for Tots," of the US Marine Corps Reserve.

With him in the US Marines, he said, Negrense children will always be remembered because he knows there are so many of them who are in need.

Another Filipino-American in the group was Corporal Ramona Penala, 24, who was born in Manila but was raised in San Francisco, California.

Penala, who was the group's photographer, said it was her privilege, being a Filipino, to come to the Philippines and be a part of the gift-giving activity.

Aside from bringing gifts, the US Marines also brought books and school supplies for children in Panay.

Biadog said the gifts for the Panay children will be sent through Maj. Gen. Victor Ibrado, commanding general of the Philippine Army's 3rd Infantry Division, who also met Biadog's group during their arrival on Saturday.

Local officials who welcomed the US Marines group were Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, Talisay City Councilor Daniel Tribaco and Bacolod City Councilor Ana Marie Palermo.

BLESSINGS

Maria Teresa Olvido, a 10-year-old blind girl from Victorias City, who received a stuffed toy and other gifts rendered a song to thank their benefactors.

Olvido could not say a word, but smiled when asked about how she feels about her presents.

Another blind student, Melliscent Grace Llave, 15, said she is so happy the US Marines came to share their blessings with children like her. "I hope the Lord will bless them, too." she said.

Her classmate, Rhea Joy Llansing, 11, said, "I'm glad that they came here to give us gifts."

The Bacolod gift-giving activity was part of the US Marines' Operation Goodwill Delivery II, from January 20 to 22, that included gift distributions to children in Negros Occidental, Zamboanga, Leyte and Legazpi.*NLG

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