‘Make-A-Wish’ again plays Santa this Christmas season

The Make-A-Wish Foundation recently gave three children early Christmas presents. A couple of boys were given the ultimate gamers’ suite, while a third was the recipient of shop-until-you-drop package to Guam.

Sixteen-year-old Oscar Ayuyu on his wheelchair excitedly ripped a present given by Make-A-Wish and flashed an excited and happy smile when he saw that the gift was a Sony Playstation II.

Ayuyu, who suffers from Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, lives with his parents and two sisters in Koblerville. He said he loves playing video games.

Make-A-Wish Foundation director Monica Guzman said Ayuyu wrote a letter about his wishes this holidays season by accessing its national website on the Internet. The boy was then referred to the organization’s office in Guam.

Along with the game console, Ayuyu also received a brand new television set, complete with stand; and a Sony Playstation Portable, or PSP.

Daniel Ezekiel E. Omar also received the same gifts from Make-A-Wish. Guzman and assistant Ken Dunstan personally drove to Lower MIHA in Garapan Saturday morning to deliver the gifts to the 16-year-old.

Guzman immediately presented the gifts to the little boy whose reaction was indescribable when he saw that the gift was a Sony Playstation II. The director of Make-A-Wish handed the other gifts to Omar, from the new television set to the TV stand, to bags, and accessories, to the video games set.

Guzman finally handed over one final box to Omar. The little boy asked her what it was, but Guzman told him to open the little box. The boy suddenly exclaimed, “This is the one I’ve wanted!” clutching the Sony PSP.

Omar said he was very happy for Make-A-Wish’s gifts. Omar who still suffers from a history of seizures, congenital cyanotic heart disease, and chronic pulmonary hypertensia, among many others, is the youngest among 12 siblings. His mother, Maria, suffered a stroke in 2003, which put her on a wheelchair.

His father Tony is also currently immobile due to a severe illness. Omar’s mother told Make-A-Wish that in middle of the night last Friday, she saw her son standing outside the front yard of the house as if waiting for somebody.

“Daniel was very excited about the presents,” she said, adding that there was never a day that he would not ask when Make-A-Wish was going to grant his wishes.

Omar loves to watch TV apart from playing video games. His mother revealed that her youngest child is also a fan of Filipino TV programs.

Guzman and Dunstan flew back to Guam Saturday afternoon to grant another Christmas wish, this time of 14-year-old Dwayne Bautista, who wished for a grand shopping spree in Guam.

Bautista initially wanted to go Disneyworld, but according to Make-A-Wish the extended travel time did not permit his travel. He instead wished for a visit to Guam for shopping in the U.S. territory. He left with his mother together with the two Make-A-Wish officials.

Bautista is currently attending Cha Cha Junior High School in Kagman. He likes to read comic books, his special hobby is drawing, and when he grows up he would like to be an architect or engineer or even a mechanic.

Guzman said Make-A-Wish is also extending its heartfelt thank you to Hyatt Regency Saipan for hosting the group and making the wishes of the recipients a dream come true this Christmas season.