Embracing Everyday

After my run in Mall of Asia last Saturday with Wilbert ended, I headed straight to Makati to visit an orphanage there.

Last year when Sky turned one, we celebrated Sky’s birthday with family relatives at home. Next month, Sky will be turning two. D and I are big advocates of “paying it forward”, so we decided to celebrate Sky’s 2nd birthday party at Virlanie Mother and Child house.

As I came inside their home office along Yague street in Makati. I was quite at a loss on where to go to. I asked an old lady carrying a child – a little bit younger than Sky, where Ms. Acop’s office is.

“Akyat ka lang sa pintong yan.” She says. (Just go up that door)

When I went up, the place was busy on a Saturday morning. It turns out the old lady that I spoke with was turning over her granddaughter to Virlanie’s staff, because she can no longer feed her. I was literally doing my best to hold back my tears.

Ms. Rap Acop then came out and gave me a tour of their office. It turns out Virlanie is not an orphanage, but a haven for street children, unwanted babies, special children and unwed mothers.

Some mothers turn over some of their children to Virlanie and a good number of these children are reunited with their families – when their families are back on their feet.

The Foundation operates 12 homes catering to various kinds of children…. There is The Drop-in Center which houses 20 children ages 9 to 14 years old; the Marco Polo Center takes care of 27 children ages 3 to 7 years old; the Mother and Child home that take cares of 10 unwed mothers and 19 babies and toddlers; the Patricia Halfway Home that shelters 20 street children that are considered delinquent juveniles.

Rap and I went to Marco Polo Center first. As soon as we opened the gate, Rap was swarmed by the children there. And most of the kid’s just gave me a funny look. One was poking my leg, perhaps to see if I was friendly.

After talking with the house parent and social workers, I whipped out my camera and started taking photos…. And all hell broke loose. I literally stumbled on the floor when some of the children wanted to see the photos I took.

As soon as we closed the gate out of Marco Polo, I made a note to myself: print photos for the kids.

It was just a short walk towards The Mother and Child Home. And upon seeing the facade of the house, I was quite impressed. The house was new and very clean. Shoes are not allowed inside the house, since they let the babies crawl around on the floor at times in a day.

There were 5  toddlers that welcomed us there. And Rap took me upstairs to one of the rooms to see the babies housed there. I also met some unwed mothers with their babies. And the superwomen who are taking care of the children there.

Rap took these shots for me, as one of the 8 year old special kid there just climbed up on me and hanged on for a hug. I was carrying “Jan” most of the time I was talking with Rap and Melissa (one of the social workers there).

“Rap, I think we’ll hold a Sky’s party here. It’s a bit too rowdy for Sky over at The Marco Polo Center. Instead of asking gifts for Sky – I’ll ask some of our guests to donate to Virlanie instead.” I tell Rap as we played with the children. “No programs ha, just balloons, gift giving and a simple meal for the children and mother’s there.”

Rap then gave me a smile and tell me she’ll email the list of their needs. I am now canvassing for food caterers and party supplies… Which gave me a second thought… I think we’ll budget down the food for the party – so we can include gifts for the children of The Marco Polo Center too.

I showed D the photo’s and he’s now more excited than I am for The Mother and Child’s Home upcoming party.

This is our little way of “Paying it Forward.” Would you like to donate or give gifts? Please email me or leave a comment here. Thank you very much!