Today, I handed the sack of clothes to ABS-CBn GenSan that my family packed as our donation to the victims of Sendong. It was my first time and my family's first as well. And the feeling is hard to explain. And when I got home, I got the chance to read ms. Bianca Gonzalez's new blog post, which inspired me to share my first and most meaningful Christmas too.
December 24 (4:30PM) - few hours before the Noche Buena starts, I went all the way to the mall, even though I'm not feeling well, to buy gifts for Mommy and Daddy. It was the first time that I'm doing something special for them. It's not our nature to celebrate nor cook food for the occasion. I don't know what came to me that afternoon. I didn't have enough money, but I still decided to go out and buy gifts. I bought them perfumes. The price wasn't that expensive but I'm proud that they both smell good and had coordinated with my grannies taste. When I gave the gifts to Mom and Dad, I knew that they're surprised. Their thank you's were more than enough for me. At least, for this time of the year, I was able to make them feel happy and well-appreciated.
December 24 (4:30PM) - few hours before the Noche Buena starts, I went all the way to the mall, even though I'm not feeling well, to buy gifts for Mommy and Daddy. It was the first time that I'm doing something special for them. It's not our nature to celebrate nor cook food for the occasion. I don't know what came to me that afternoon. I didn't have enough money, but I still decided to go out and buy gifts. I bought them perfumes. The price wasn't that expensive but I'm proud that they both smell good and had coordinated with my grannies taste. When I gave the gifts to Mom and Dad, I knew that they're surprised. Their thank you's were more than enough for me. At least, for this time of the year, I was able to make them feel happy and well-appreciated.
December 24 (5:45PM) - As I walk in the busy streets of J. Catolico, I passed by a "torotot" stall where two kids (a girl and a boy) were shouting to attract buyers of their torotot. I think their siblings. Each mini torotot costs P5.00. I bought 3 for my kid cousins and gave the boy P50. I waited for the change and when I received the P35, I returned the P10. The girl wondered. "Hati mo dira gang ha?," I told her then smiled. To my surprise, I felt a weird feeling when the girl smiled back and thanked me. Her wide grin just made me feel so glad that she appreciated the small amount that I gave her. That tip wasn't planned. Even myself can't believe that I actually did that just out of the blue! I left the two kids with a big smile on my face. I would never forget that feeling... super!
December 24 (11:00PM) - This time, it's not me who gave another gift. A day before, I was complaining to a friend about my lost and beloved cap. I suspected that my brothers eyed on it and brought it with the on their way home (about where do they go home is a long story). My cap is so important to a WEAK person like me. It is my shield from the raindrops and heavy sunlight. But when I can't find it anymore, I just felt a little bad. That means I have to buy another again.
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| the cap which I received an hour before noche buena. This is my first time! :D |
But then a text came to me from Gladys Mendoza saying "GET UR GEP". I knew that she spent a day with her dad in Davao and I had a strong feeling that she bought a "pasalubong" for us. I got excited upon reading the text. But before I went to their house, I prepared the fruit salad and spaghetti and placed them in small containers. I brought them all the way to her though I was worried of her reaction on the taste of my cooked spaghetti. But I thought, it's her problem anymore. haha! Then, there! She came out of their gate while hiding something from her back. "ui... unsa na?", I asked. She pulled out her hands from her back and I was overly surprised by the cap that she's holding. I got speechless (don't know if she noticed that) and all I could do was to hug her - even if she said "ginaluod ko", I didn't care. That's all I could do to express my gratitude and happiness. KUNG MAKA-SURPRISE WAGAS!
December 25 (6:45PM) - I joined my friend, Melgene Carillo, and her family on their annual "Pay it Forward" Christmas Feeding program. I didn't have the slightest idea of how things are going to work. All I know was, I went there to help. I saw the gifts that were packed and the meals that the family had prepared to be given to the street children. Again, it was my first time to do such thing.
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| The moms of the Badjao street kids who were hoping to could also get food though they know that children were the first priority. |
Our first stop was along the Pioneer avenue. As we were looking for the perfect parking area, I saw the groups of Badjaos lying on the hard and rough cement. I guess they're just about to sleep the hunger away. When they saw us approaching, all of them ran and went near our vehicles. They knew that they'll be receiving something from us.
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| The group of Badjaos who dared to entertain us last night in exchange for a few coins. |
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| The only kid who warmly thanked us for the food that we gave. Though I didn't have any share on the expenses and everything, I still feel really good knowing that I AM A PART OF THE VENTURE. December 25 (8:00PM) - After feeding the kids of Pioneer Ave., we proceeded to Barangay Labangal. When we reached the place, I witnessed a bunch of kids and their mothers gathered in one place while waiting for us. From there, I knew that they'd been informed about the human angels (Carillo family) who are visiting and will be giving gifts. Before we gave the remaining foods, we asked the kids (with ages 8 years old & below) to for two lines so that everyone could receive.
 
I would never trade the two-day experience! It taught me a lot things. It brought me to the experience which my favorite, Bianca Gonzalez, has been talking about. I may not have given a lot from my pocket, but the sincerity and smile that I'd shared are more than enough for me to feel the real spirit of Christmas. It's not just about receiving. Or giving the most expensive stuffs. It's about sharing and putting a smile on someone's face. The experience that I just had is one of the best gifts I'd ever had. I wish I could do this more often, not only during the Yuletide season. |
