A Reason To Smile

THE PICTURE of Manny Pacquiao down on the floor definitely paints a thousand words and I can think of a bunch of adjectives that defines what we are NOT used to feeling when our Pambansang Kamao, emerges triumphant from a fight.

         But I want to skip the negative vibes as the People’s Champ himself has said, sometimes you get hit, and that sometimes – even if you have won eight titles consecutively – you lose.

      Indeed there isn’t any reason for Filipinos to smile after that lucky punch – Juan Manuel Marquez says “perfect punch” – and waking up Monday morning after that disappointing weekend must have been difficult.

      The same thing goes for the people of Mindanao, who were visited by super typhoon Pablo the week before the fight and gave them a devastating knockout. It was like Ondoy and Sendong all over again and a sad Christmas looms in the horizon.

         As usual, the tragedy brought the entire Filipino nation to the rescue and this is one reason to smile. Tina Monson-Palma of ABS-CBN’s Sagip Kapamilya beamed on national TV as she announced that help continues to pour in – be it in basic goods or through bank deposits. “Maraming tumutulong at kami’y nagpapasalamat,” she said.

         Recovery, however, would take some time and our fellow Filipinos down south will continue to need the essentials, and will have to be assisted not only in rebuilding wiped out houses but fixing broken hopes and dreams.

         If you want to help but don’t know how, check out the websites of ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya, Red Cross and other charitable institutions.

         Let me now move on to the photographs I took showing a group of boys who, despite having been abandoned by family and afflicted with physical or mental disabilities, are always ready to give their best smiles.

        They are residents of Cottolengo Filipino in Montalban, Rizal. As you may already know, Cottolengo Filipino became a significant part of my high school batch from UST a couple of years ago and since then, they give me a halo effect each time I see them.

THE SMILING  BOYS of Cottolengo Filipino

with Evie (topmost) and Mirella (above); and (below)  

with one of them doing “Japan Japan.”

         Last December 8^th, my gang of nine – with other batchmates joining, namely Teri, Emi, Mon, UK-based Rene, and  Cristy, who came with her officemates at Aegis PeopleSupport – represented our batch in giving them a Christmas treat and turned over the funds we raised for this undertaking through a tiangge held last month.

         (For the unknowing, my gang is composed of Ernie, Evie, Jun, Lydia, Mel, Mirella, Ruby, and Sonny. We used to be a perfect 10 with Cynthia, who is now based in Canada … although she remains to be a bona fide member – in absentia.)

         Making our simple treat into a major bash were the employees of UCPB and students from the Ateneo who chose this day to be with the kids. The bank people even brought along a party team from Jollibee.

THE BATCH IN RED – well almost – in a souvenir

shot with Fr. Estefan at the boys’ classroom, where

the amiable priest showed us images

 of the Virgin Mary especially handcrafted by the boys.

  JOLLIBEE shares stellar billing with the batch

in bringing cheer to the boys of Cottolengo Filipino.

          But, of course, we weren’t to be outdone. Aside from our loot bags, we offered some entertainment as well. We sang them one classic Pinoy Christmas song – Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit – with Sonny and Ernie accompanying us with their guitars. We also brought along Santa Claus through Mon and the boys loved him.

 ONE SONG, lotsa treats and Santa Claus, these are

what we brought to the party. (Topmost) Gosen receives

his loot bag from Teri and Ruby while Matthew

(above) strikes a pose with Santa Mon. And that’s

us below singing an unrehearsed “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit.”

 

         Fr. Estefan welcomed everybody with his smile of gratitude, saying “thank you for loving (the boys of Cottolengo Filipino) and showing them respect.” He took note of the festive atmosphere, adding “they are smiling because they are having a party and you are all here … let us have a happy party and enjoy the moment.”

         And we did enjoy the moment.  We participated in the games – Trip to Jerusalem, Statue Dance and Hep Hep Hooray! – and it was fun seeing the boys display their moves to the tune of Gangnam Style, among other danceable hits.

         In the end, sweating profusely and with some of us grasping for breath, it was a – if I should use that adjective again! – happy event. Sonny, in behalf of our batch, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be of assistance to Cottolengo Filipino. He said “thank you for the experience and the privilege” to spend time with the boys.

         And with the boys smiling and dancing to their hearts’ delight, I know for sure that they, too are thankful for this day with us.

        This was verbalized when Gosen came to me to say thank you and as he held my hand, as usual, I fought back the tears. But when he said “ipagdadasal ko po kayo,” the tears simply welled up. Just like Maya, Jodie Santamaria’s character in that lovable morning soap, Be Careful With My Heart, sing-babaw nang aquarium ang mga luha ko.

        Talking about prayers, these boys need them every single day. They have requirements that are crucial to their very existence. Five-year old Michael may be confined to a wheelchair forever or Matthew, who is about the same age, has to be fed intravenously due to a malfunctioning digestive system. I am not sure of the correct terms for the ailments and handicap of the rest but they are truly helpless by themselves.



THAT’S MICHAEL (above) who gives

                                       the sweetest smile to whoever he meets along

his wheelchair path … And that’s Matthew

(below), getting cozy with Lydia.

          I have long included them in my prayers and also the people in that shelter who make it easy for the boys to be understood, to be fed, to be controlled in times of misbehavior, and most of all, to be shown the true meaning of love. These people are, aside from Fr. Estefan, the tandem of Joan and Marites, the young ladies who are patience personified; and the volunteers, whose names I always forget to ask. Some of the boys cry when the volunteers have to go home or visit their own families. The boys definitely found a sense of family in them.

THE PATIENT and loving people of Cottolengo

Filipino include, from left, Marites,

Fr. Estefan and Joan. Their smiles show how much

 they love what they are doing for the boys.

         Of course, our mga kababayan down south likewise need our prayers. We actually need to knock hard on heaven’s door so that recovery will come to them soon. They may spend Christmas in tarpaulin-roofed evacuation centers or while painfully missing loved ones lost in the storm but surely,

God’s love can be seen in all the kind-hearted people and organizations who are reaching out and giving them that much-needed comfort and assistance.  

          So don’t frown because Manny Pacquiao was completely knocked out in that Sunday fight. Don’t fret because you don’t have a lovelife this Christmas and that it’s going to be soooo cold despite the absence of snow in the country.

         Don’t complain that you will have to work on Christmas day or you will not be able to buy that expensive dress or pair of shoes you’ve been dreaming of for the longest time.

         What I’m trying to say here is sometimes the things that break our hearts are those nonsensical things and we are just overwhelmed with the drama of not having it all.

         As I sign out from my blog, I would like to take a moment to appreciate everything I have today. Numbers usually give me a nosebleed but I want to do some old school arithmetic and count the many reasons for me to smile.

         … To calculate the mornings my loved ones and I wake up to a brand new day.

         … Sum up not our talents or skills but all our senses that are functioning.

         … Quantify the movements I can do and those of my loved ones which do not need assistance or push or wheelchair or even lots of money.

         … Add up the new babies in the family and among friends' families who were born to loving parents and will never abandon them come what may.

         In totality, counting one’s blessings is never overrated.

         Now, smile …