BIRTHDAY 2015

What can make one’s birthday more meaningful than to celebrate it with these kids and loved ones? Apart from making other genuinely happy and feel loved, I believe one can truly experience a sense of fulfillment and blessedness for sharing one’s graces to those who need them most. Thank you to my Keep Hope Alive family for making this possible. ‪#‎Bday2015

Try.

I am often asked what motivated me to accomplish these things at my age. My answer is simple. I was willing to try.

With Mangyan family at Quinomay, 2008

I'm a regular teenager when I started caring for the kids in my community. I started out with free Saturday lessons (academics, acting, dance and arts) and Sunday school teaching. When I was in college I decided to launch a feeding and health program for young children in my community. I initially involved about 50 kinder students in the feeding program and another 30 kids for healthy teeth campaign. Some of these kids don't have their own toothbrushes because of poverty and family economic conditions.  In nursing school, we are taught to be responsible for our own community, be an advocate of health and welfare especially for those people in need and to educate people about health issues, improve community health and safety, and increase access to care. Today, more than 350 students are part of this program every 3 months. I can’t contain the happiness every time I see the joy and heartfelt smiles of these kids; it’s fulfilling and motivating - priceless. I’m excited to do it again and again! I’m really happy seeing them growing and learning. In accomplishing this, I wouldn't consider myself gifted with a big heart, special, or anything else. I'm just someone who thinks "I can." Sometimes that it all it takes.

Art lessons with my cousins and siblings, 2007

With Mangyan kids, 2008

With kids, 2009

I have done health lectures and art workshops for children in the community and the greatest passion I've heard have come from them. Sometimes those great ideas never take flight because the kids who came up with them are looking at all the reasons that they can't make it happen instead of all the reasons they can! Thinking that you "can" will soon turn into believing that you really "can."

And once you believe it - it will begin to happen for you. There are always emotional, physical and financial resources which are available for the people who want to do something great for their communities. Volunteers and mentors are out there who share your dream and are willing to step up and help. They are just looking for someone with a vision and age, often, has nothing to do with brilliance, courage, and wisdom... Everyone can dare to be the person they truly are by living their dream if they are just willing to try!

Gift giving, 2010

Anti-Dengue Drive, 2010

                                      

                    Feeding Program, 2011

I know as kids we say "when I grow up I want to be..." I'm here to say, START NOW! You don't have to wait until you grow up to make a valuable difference in this world. And isn't that what we all want to do? Make the world a better place? I believe with all my heart that we design our own futures. We have God who has all the power to make things happen for ourselves. Some worry that someone won't "let" them do what they want to do. Do your own research, show people why you can.

Health Drive, 2011

Healthy Teeth Campaign, 2012

My mentors and supporters, my elementary teachers

You probably heard the old saying "keep your eye on the prize." That saying works for me. I believe what the end result is that I really want, and in God’s perfect time, I believe it can happen. That has brought me results of happiness every time. Don't wait to be asked. Be the person who acts. You know you have it in you. As I said before, all it takes to make a difference in your personal life, your family, community, your country and your world is to be the person who is willing to try. After that, everything else falls into place.

These kids surprised me with their birthday cards, greetings and artworks.

Two of my 'alaga'.

Feeding Program 2012

You don't need approval or permission from anyone but yourself to step up and make a difference. If you really believe in yourself, and your abilities, others will too. Your faith, passion and belief in yourself will bring the resources and support you need to make it happen. Tomorrow's world is yours so today, this moment, whatever you do for yourself and the community will be a great expansion. There are lot of young men and women all around the globe performing brilliant things to make this world a better place to live in; you can be one of them.

Kids lining up for Veggie Soup and Cereal Milk.

With Ma'am Mecca, distributing school supplies.

My favorite kid - during Healthy teeth lectures.

Keep Hope Alive kids after feeding program.

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)