MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- MABALACAT, Philippines, Participants of Exercise Balikatan 2003, located at Clark Field, took time out of their usual routine May 2 to spend some time at the Munting Tahanan ng Nazareth, translated to English as the Little Home of Nazareth, for individuals with special needs.
During their visit, the Marines and Sailors enjoyed a morning of fun and games as well as lunch with their hosts.
According to Reverend Father Edgar Panlilio, Apostolate director of the Little Home of Nazareth, the residents of the home always look forward to these types of visits.
The children were very excited to learn that Americans were coming to visit them, Panlilio said. It really makes them feel like they belong and that people care about them when people come to see them, especially when the visitors are from a different country so far away.
Maria Rubio, a resident at the Little Home of Nazareth, expressed her gratitude for the visitors, saying, Your visit is a big help to us. I like playing the games the best. You are welcome here anytime. Thank you for coming and please come back again.
The Catholic Church sponsors the home that is designed to take in and assist individuals, who are physically or mentally handicapped, Panlilio noted.
Many of these children's families were not able to properly care for them and they were eventually abandoned, the Reverend Father said. Concerned citizens call the church and we try to provide a home environment for them where they can feel that they are a part of something.
A local family donated the land the home is located on and much of the construction was made possible thanks to the help of charitable individuals both in and outside of the Republic of the Philippines.
The homes most recent visitors brought with them one of the greatest donations of all, according to Cmdr. John Carter, chaplain, combined/joint task force, Exercise Balikatan 2003.
Our main goal here is to express and share our love with the Philippine services and community, Carter said. Service members have come to this home during past Balikatans and I felt it was important to continue to build on the relationship which has been established.
After a morning of fun and games, the visitors assisted their new friends with lunch and then it was time to say good-bye, but only until next time, said Cpl. Paul R. Baney, power plant mechanic, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
It was a great experience for us, the Tampa, Fla., native, said. We're in the Philippines to train, but we also want the people of this country to know that we genuinely care for them as well.