In line with its community engagement missions, the
Philippine Navy (PN) on Saturday gave 31 orphans a feel on what it is like to
sail in a naval vessel and fly in a aircraft.
This project is under the Navy's "Fly and Sail With
Rare," PN public affairs office chief Capt. Lued Lincuna said.
It aims to to give an extraordinary experience for kids with
rare disorder through a whole day of outdoor fun activities.
The 31 children were all from Philippine Society for Orphan
Disorders, Inc. (PSODI) and their parents/guardians are the beneficiaries of
this advocacy campaign.
Lincuna said PSODI is a non-profit organization whose aim is
to continue the efforts of doctors to ensure sustainability of medical and
financial support of patients with rare disorders.
It envisions to create awareness about rare disorders in the
Philippines
These children are trying to live a normal life despite
frequent hospital visits for their medication and treatment.
Research shows that 30 percent of children with rare disease
die before the age of five.
PSOD patient and family welfare program coordinator Janet
Paguirigan said, “…It is about the experience of these children because you’ll
never know until when they are going to stay here because of their condition
specially those who do not have access yet to medicines they need.”
In his welcome remarks, Naval Air Group deputy commander
Cmdr. Ariel Halasan assured the participants that they will strive their best
to provide the extra ordinary experience of aboard with their assets.
“But more than the experiences, we offer you our friendship
and our admiration for living the ideals that our organization is advancing:
your courage for living up with the challenges, your strength for not
succumbing to it, your faith for believing in your dreams and aspirations; and
your hope for dreaming big and aspiring for greater achievements,” Halasan
added.
The NAG Hangar, at Naval Base Heracleo Alano in Sangley
Point, Cavite City
After the necessary orientation, the children took turns in
flying with the Navy’s Islander aircraft and sailing with BRP Heracleo Alano
(PG-376) and a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB). Our sailors and marines
served also as close in buddies or “big brother/sister” of these children.
The venue was also transformed into a fun fair environment
where children, together with their parents or guardians, enjoyed arts and
crafts like face painting, coloring activities, cupcake making, origami,
t-shirt printing, among others.
Angelita Obeda, a mother of three children with rare
disorders, expressed her thanks to the PN and to all the sponsors for the
extraordinary experience they have afforded to her children.
“It feels good to see my children happy because they experienced
being aboard a Navy ship and airplane,” Obeda said.
The activity was made possible through the collaboration of
Philippine Navy with advocacy groups such as the Photography with a Difference
(PWD), Makati Camera Club, PSODI, Volunteer for Youth Leaders in Health,
Fujifilm, Chili Grass, and SM Cares and SM Supermalls.
It was in line with the nation’s observance of the 7th
National Rare Disease Week, which joined hands with the rest of the world in
celebrating the 9th World Rare Disease Day.
“There are many organizations that have good ideas for these
children, Cynthia Manzanares, core group member of PWD, said.
“But these are ideas that need support from other
organization. In this case, it is good that the PN has opened its door for this
opportunity. Even if there are plans for these children but nobody would want
to support these by way of providing facilities, like resources from the
(Philippine) Navy, our dreams for these kids won't be realized.”
Lincuna said the PN takes pride in being helpful in making
these children and their families experience a day of enjoyment and respite
from their day-to-day ordeals.
He added this is a manifestation of the Command’s support to
advocacy campaigns, particularly in this instance, to raise awareness and support
for Filipinos with rare disease.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=861456
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