Christmas in August

Last August 24, 2013, my high school batch mates organized a charity event - to set up a feeding program for the street children and underprivileged youth in Pasig City.

This event took months in planning, involving most, if not all Paulinians (SPCQC High School Batch 81) worldwide. Bebeth took the reins for batchmates residing in the US and Joanne took charge of the locals. I was unable to attend, making me feel that I lost an important chance to give the poor kids some hope in life.

The chosen venue was the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Pasig City, which runs a soup kitchen for street children in the area. My batch mates organized the event named "Christmas in August" with the very same purpose - feed the children. Through the selflessness of my batch mates, they were able to collect donations in cash and kind which were all stuffed into loot bags. In those bags were canned goods, rice, noodles, milk, biscuits, sweets and yes, ice cream and cotton candy. Then there were clothes, school supplies, small toys and toiletries too. 

My batch mates distributed lunch packs for the children. They had chicken, rice, a burger and a drink. Rorie shared a story of her experience. She said she noticed one child not opening her lunch pack. Another batch mate, Rose, asked the child why she would not even touch her food. The child simply said "Iuuwi ko nalang po sa bahay. Andun po kasi si Tatay, si Nanay at mga kapatid ko." ("I will just take this home with me. My father and mother are there, so with my other siblings"). To quote Rorie's post in Facebook - . "A piece of chicken, rice and a yummy burger for a family of five? I am humbled..."

The event lasted the whole morning and it was a rousing success. I hope that the next time an activity like this comes along, I would be able to take part in it. There are children out there living in dire straits. One kind deed can go a long long way for them. 

I am sharing this story to the world to inspire others that we can, in the humblest of ways, in the smallest of efforts, to share love and blessings to the ones who own the future of our country - the children.

Thank you, Bebeth, Joanne, Maricar, Yvonne, Rorie, Rose, Janet, Shari, Maritoni, Anna, Sheila, and all the others who have selflessly given anything and everything to make this a very memorable experience. 

Here are some photos of the event:

To God be the Glory!