My Birthday Wish

I am turning a year older tomorrow, and I always get asked what I want for my birthday and I am epically awful at thinking of material things I want.  It’s time to put material things aside and remember those who paved the way for me. Every year I know what I want — I want to be able to make an impact to the lives of my adopted kids in my community (Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro). I usually do this every year since 2008. I know it’s not everyday that you get to help people around you and not everyone has the heart and passion to reach out to those who are in need. 

For those who don’t know, I started a charity works and a volunteer’s organization (Keep Hope Alive) in 2008, a lifetime commitment for queer children who experience poverty, hunger and depression. I firmly believe that to bring change to our world we need to keep as many queer and questioning and amazing young people in this world as possible before anything else we do matters, and Keep Hope Alive helps me do that. Every act of involvement says you believe in the idea of making the world a better place. Children will not remember you for the material things you provided, but for the feeling that you cherished them. I admire those people who do and pray for the hearts of those who don’t that someday their hearts will be touched and be able to share their blessings.

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and it’s really the thing that will make me most happy second to serving God and family. In giving, I believe nothing is too little, no matter how small. Napakasarap sa feeling na nakakapagpasaya at nakakatulong ka sa mga tao lalo na sa mga musmos sa paligid mo. Ako aaminin kong wala akong pakialam sa mga batang palaboy-laboy lamang sa lansangan nung bata pa ako, dahil unang-una hindi ko naman sila kaano-ano. Pero nung nakita ko kung gaano sila kasaya sa ginagawa kong pagtulong, narealize ko na lahat ng tao sa mundong ito ay dapat pangalagaan ang isa’t isa sapagkat tayo’y mga nilikha ng diyos na may kaakibat na responsibilidad para magserve. Lalo na kapag nakaka-angat ka or kaya blessed ka with good job and family na di nararanasan ng mga batang ito. I know money is hard, and charity can be very personal, but God’s provision is immeasurable.

I’m very excited for my birthday tomorrow. Another wish will come to pass. I’m excited to see more children to be fed and be inspired with the feeding and healthy teeth program we prepared. To all the people, friends and my family who helped and supported me with this passion and advocacy, thank you is not enough. Let God deal with your good deeds. To some people just reading this and knowing and respecting that this is something I care about means a lot to me. J

Playing with the kids. These kids loved to be cuddled. As soon as their done with handwashing they ran towards me and asked me to carry them on our back. (piggy back ride)