Over 700 families in 1998 and 500 families in 1999, benefited from the program by receiving bags of rice, canned meats and milk in Imus and Kawit, Cavite respectively.
Funding for this initial gift giving program was sponsored by Mr. Ed and Mrs. Cecille Pinos of Christine's Bake Shop based in Bergenfield, New Jersey; Mr. Lionel and Mrs. Estrelle Samuel of United Health Care based in West Caldwell, New Jersey; Mrs. Maria Lapid of Green Acres Manor located in Edison, New Jersey; and Garden State Travel of Jersey City, New Jersey.
The Year 2000 brought Operation Grace to Lipa City, Batangas where the 10th annual mission of PAGES was conducted. Through the efforts of Mayor Vilma Santos-Recto and the Department of Social Welfare Lipa City, they identified 400 families from the most depressed areas of Lipa City, Batangas. Northwest Airlines Manila headed by Marketing Manager, Ms Claudine Jacinto-Ochoa along with Northwest Airlines International Sales Manager New York Ms Jannette Lau assisted PAGES and local city officials in the distribution of rice, canned goods, powdered drinks, cereals, canned milk, toys and assorted clothing.
February 14, 2001 in observance of Valentines Day, PAGES Operation Grace was launched again this time in Dinalupihan, Bataan, Philippines. The gift-giving program was organized by the First Lady of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Mrs. Daisy Payumo and Mayor Jose Payumo of Dinalupihan, Bataan. Along with PAGES Team Members and Northwest Airlines Manila, they identified 700 indigent families as recipients of the “care packages” consisting of rice and other nutritional food products, as well as toys and personal clothing.
In the Year 2002, Operation Grace was held in Bacolod City under the sponsorship of Couples for Christ (CFC) group headed by Dr. Joe Yamamoto. Over 200 poor families from Barangay Magsungay, Bacolod City and several families of the Communist Party of the Philippines (New Peoples Army) Rebel returnees from a CFC sponsored livelihood community in Barangay Escalante were the recipients of the food supplement giving program of PAGES. After Bacolod City, Operation Grace extended the gift-giving program at Trece Martires City, Cavite where 600 families including the disabled and abused children benefited in receiving the food supplement. The Cavite gift giving was orchestrated by the First Lady of Cavite, Mrs. Oly Maliksi and Mr. Raffy Gamad, the Social Welfare and Development Director. Again, Northwest Airlines Manila was there and voluntary donated 16 boxes of assorted ready-to-eat noodles.
The Year 2003 brought PAGES Operation Grace once again to Trece Martires City where 700 poor families received the food supplement as well as toys and personal clothing.
In 2004, PAGES conducted the gift giving in Sta. Cruz, Laguna where the Provincial Governor Teresita "Ningning" Lazaro, along with Department of Social Welfare and Development Director, Mr. Ernie Montecillo spearheaded the food donations to 500 indigent families. It was definitely indeed "an affair to remember" as Governor Lazaro along with PAGES Team Members handed out food supplements consisting of rice, sardines, milk, corned beef, meatloaf, cookies, soy sauce, noodles and powdered chocolate drinks.
In 2005, PAGES conducted the gift giving in Cavite City where 500 indigent families benefited from the program. The gift giving was held at Samonte Park, Cavite City near Dra. Olivia Salamanca Memorial Hospital where the surgical operation for 122 children were held free of charge including the after care medicines and vitamins. Operation Grace in Cavite was jointly sponsored by Governor Ayong Maliksi of the Cavite Province along with Cavite Board Members: Raffy Rodriguez, Jun Del Rosario and Dr. Louie Pagtakhan. Also in 2005, while the mission is being held at the Pagamutan Panlalawigan, Lungsod ng San Pablo, San Pablo City, Operation Grace was conducted at the Bagong Bayan Training Center.
Several PAGES Team Members and the Laguna Province Governor Ningning Lazaro distributed 500 bags of food supplements to the indigent families within the area consisting of rice, corned beef, meatloaf, sardines, sugar, powdered chocolate drinks
and ready-to-eat noodles. One can surely appreciate seeing the happy faces and smiles coming from both the beneficiaries, as well as the sponsors.
During the week of surgical operation of Operation HOPE Mission 2006 in Bay, Laguna and Trece Martires City, Cavite, PAGES Team was able to conduct Operation GRACE (Gift Giving) where 500 poor families from each site were recipients of the "care packages" consisting of rice, canned sausages,corned beef, sardines, powdered chocolate drinks and ready-to-eat cereals.
In the Year 2007, while simultaneously conducting surgical operations in the City of Alaminos, Pangasinan, PAGES Team, Mayor Hernani “Nani” Braganza and his staff, along with Northwest
Airlines/KLM Representatives from the United States specifically Texas, New Jersey and New York areas and Northwest Airlines Manila joined Operation Grace gift giving in Alaminos City. The 500 indigent familiesfrom the Alaminos City benefited from the gift giving program consisting of rice, canned goods and for the first time useable personal clothing from donors across the United States.
The Year 2008 finds the Operation Grace gift giving at San Pablo Parish Church in Tondo Manila where the food distribution program was co-hosted by iGan Foundation with its founder Arnold "iGan" Clavio and PAGES. The 600 families benefitted in receiving the care package consisting of rice, assorted canned goods, canned milk, instant noodles, candies and chocolate powdered drinks. The Operation Grace gift giving was followed a few days later at the Pamplona Park Subdivision co-hosted by the Las Pinas (Host) Lions Club District 301-A2 with its President, Mr. Arnel Pilapil. The Tondo and Las Pinas City gift giving were witnessed by several PAGES team members, Northwest Airlines, both local and international, Lions Club member and iGan Foundation Volunteers. Another 600 families were selected among the poorest among the poor families coming from Barangay Dos of Las Pinas City receiving the same care package like that of the Tondo, Manila beneficiaries.
On February 13, 2009, PAGES Operation Grace gift-giving was conducted at the school gymnasium of the Morong National High School, Morong, Rizal where 500 of the poorest among the poor areas of Baras, Morong, Cardona and Teresa, were given the “care package” consisting of rice, sugar, ready-to-eat noodles, corned beef, sardines courtesy of PAGES and iGAN Foundation while Thunderbird Resort Rizal gave away bedroom slippers for the recipient’s own home use. Truly worth mentioning is the outstanding performance of the Provincial Social Welfare Development Head, Ms Evelyn Zapanta who ensured an orderly and peaceful care package distribution to all the beneficiaries
The funding for the gift giving program came from donors from the United States as arranged by the newly assigned Director of Operation GRACE, Mr. George Chaker of Lancaster, Pennsylvania who witnessed the gift giving event in both sites.
The gift giving program is coordinated annually by Benz Cueto, PAGES Director of Administrative Operations. In the past, Cueto was assisted by his wife Grace. Their unselfish dedication to helping the children became natural to both of them, especially to Grace, who herself had children. Grace did not see success as making a lot of money, living comfortably or retiring early. She chose to equate success with her willingness to share her blessings with less fortunate children. With this kind of faith and determination, she gave every ounce of her energy to reach these children without any expectation of receiving anything in return.
The feeling of fulfillment inside her heart as she handed out food rations to each family was by far, the greatest gift of love she wished to share. Sadly, in a sudden twist of fate and without warning on July 8, 1999, Grace experienced a fatal brain attack called an aneurysm. PAGES Team Members were so devastated and shocked by this event that many could not accept that their beloved Grace was gone.
PAGES Team Members made a vow to continue Grace's legacy of helping the children each year, just as she would have wanted. Whenever the yearly gift-giving program is conducted, it is indeed a great tribute to her and her unfinished humanitarian work. Because of this, Operation Bigyan Tulong was dedicated to her by renaming it OPERATION GRACE.
Help us continue Grace's legacy and give what you can.
Send your tax deductible donations and support to:
P.A.G.E.S. Operation Grace
581 West Side Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07304