As in the previous years, the story of each beneficiary is harrowing and angers any decent person.
According to Julie Dayaday, Balay Dangupan center head, they are housing 27 beneficiaries. However, there were only 26 girls who made it to their Christmas outing last December 16. Diane (not her real name), 17, is presently recuperating at the Davao Medical Central after undergoing an appendectomy.
Several months earlier, she also underwent an operation due to ectopic pregnancy.
Diane, from Agdao, Davao City, was abused by her own tennis instructor. All she wanted was to get a scholarship so she can continue her college education. The sad part is that the suspect remains at large.
"It took us awhile to file the case since she had to see a psychiatrist. By the time the case was filed, the suspect was already missing," Dayoday said.
What broke my heart this year is the story of Elsie, a four-year-old girl from Lasang, Davao City and the youngest beneficiary.
Elsie, along with two other children was lured by a teenage boy into the coconut grove to get fresh coconuts, called "mamutong" in the dialect.
However, the suspect had other evil plans. Elsie's companions were able to escape, she was left behind.
This poor girl was badly mutilated so much so that she needed vaginal repair and stayed in the hospital for one week. No less than Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Vice Mayor Sarah Duterte personally visited her during her treatment.
"The parents say the suspect is 17 years old. But they cannot produce any birth certificate yet," she said.
Because of the Juvenile Justice System Law, the suspect is presently under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Elsie has shown incredible spunk for her age. She is set to testify in court by February 2009 and she occasionally asks her guardians at the center: "Kanus-a akong court (When will I appear in court)?"
She has also shown an amazing ability to remember and recount in her affidavit the exact events of that tragic day.
Unfazed by what happened, Elsie has maintained her verve at the Day Care Nursery School.
"Tabian kaayo. Ang mga bata man gud mas dali maka-recover (She's so talkative. But then, children recover faster) compared to teenagers," Dayoday said.
Elsie will miss her father this Christmas as she along with the other beneficiaries, will be spending their holidays at the Balay Dangupan. At the center, Elsie's elder sister has joined her to tend to her daily needs.
As in the previous years, this year's Christmas outing hosted by a group of private individuals led by former judge Jesus V. Quitain, was thrilling for these innocent minds.
The group's first stop was at the Rizal Park for the free carousel ride. The next stop was at the People's Park where they stayed longer than expected. A quick tour of the lights display at the NCCC Mall came next.
The outing will not be complete without the sumptuous dinner at Yellow Fin. Capping the night was an ice cream party at SM City where most of the girls asked for a second round of ice cream.
I am getting better I told myself as I went home. I was not as teary-eyed as I was in the previous years and I even managed to eat the entire share on my plate at dinner. I even ate ice cream amid the laughter and faint banter of the group.
However, I still could not bring myself to talk to Elsie. She is just too young and repugnance fills me up. I feel more wounded than her.
