Personnel from the United States and Philippine Coast Guards visited an elementary school in Tondo, Manila on Thursday to provide early Christmas gifts to select students with special needs and joined the "Brigada Eskwela" to reconstruct the dilapidated walls of their classrooms.

About 19 men and women personnel of the USCG Cutter Midgett — who arrived at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal Manila last Wednesday — personally visited the Jose Rizal Elementary School in Tondo, Manila to show their love to 40 students by giving away school supplies, and story-telling lessons, among others.

Some of the USCG enlisted personnel and officers, along with the Philippine Coast Guard operatives, also did a painting job in some rooms of the school.

"What we are doing is giving back to the community. The Philippines has been so gracious to us, and we are so thankful for it, so we want to make sure that we are able to give back as well," said USCG Petty Officer Diolana Caballero in an interview.

With the upcoming super typhoon entering the country in the coming days, Caballero said their personnel will be more than willing to help the PCG when they are asked to do so.

"It might not be our responsibility, but we are partners, and we want that partnership to grow to show that we are one Coast Guard even though we are two different countries," the USCG lady officer said.

The US and Philippine Coast Guard are scheduled to join the search and rescue operation exercises in Lubang Island in Mindoro province this 3 to 4 September.