Quake-hit residents in Medellin, Cebu receive Noche Buena items, toys from GMA Kapuso Foundation

Residents in Medellin, Cebu, who were affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on September 30 received gift bags filled with Noche Buena items and toys from GMA Kapuso Foundation. 

According to "24 Oras" Friday, the foundation returned to the municipality ahead of Christmas to distribute the gifts and relief to the residents. 

Medellin was among the areas badly hit by the earthquake, damaging homes and public buildings. 

More than 500 students at Rosalino L. Arreglado Elementary School have been unable to attend face-to-face classes for more than two months after the quake damaged most of the school's classrooms, leaving only six rooms usable. 

The earthquake also pushed some families to live in unsafe living conditions. Per the report, siblings Renz and Ruby had to spend Christmas in a tent after the quake caused cracks in their house's structure and a sinkhole to form behind the house. 

"Mag-t-three months na po after ng lindol, hirap kasi 'pag umuulan nababasa po kami. 'Yung mga anak ko nahihirapan sa pagtulog," said  Karen Encabo Nugas, mother of Renz and Ruby. 

Under the Give-a-Gift Alay sa Batang Pinoy Christmas Project, the GMA Kapuso Foundation partnered with Magnetar Global International Philippines and Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philippines to distribute a total of 1,000 gift bags to the kindergarten and sixth-grade students of Rosalino L. Arreglado Elementary School. Biscuits, food, and hygiene kits were also given to the students. 

"We chose and supported Kapuso Foundation because we truly admire your commitment for public service and of course we have biscuit, this is for the kids. Very timely for the Christmas season," shared Magnetar Global International Philippines President Gary Jemel Lagunzad. 

For those who wish to support GMA Kapuso Foundation's projects, donations may be made via Metrobank, Land Bank, BDO, Bank of Commerce, UnionBank, PNB, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Lazada, and Shopee. Visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website for more information.

—CDC, GMA Integrated News