S turned 35

Parang since 1 year old ako, meron party pag may birthday ako. Whether malaki or maliit. It was always spent with family and friends. May ilang mga birthdays ako na sinubukan kong magpanggap na hindi ako magpaparty, or wala akong gagawin, pero at the last minute meron at meron talaga.

For this year, I was particularly stressed. Hindi ako makaisip ng gagawin. Plus exam week ko yun birthday week ko. Hindi ako mapakali at humantong na sa pag-aaway ko kay CJ dahil …wala lang naiinis ako so nangaaway ako. Para kasing hindi ko feel na magpainom na lang na naman, or magpunta sa club.

Then, CJ said, “Why don’t we don’t do something to give back?”

…

Ang galing lang. Oo nga naman. We always talk about helping others and complaining about how this society is this and that, and what other people should do, we forgot about what we could do. BRILLIANT. Sana ako nakaisip.

Anyway, so I started researching. I figured I’d do something in my community back in Cainta. So Google galore. And then I found the Kids International Ministries. I was initially drawn to the fact that they have feeding programs for the surrounding communities of where they are situated in Cainta/Antipolo. Then I found out they have an orphanage.

I called up KidsIM and found out what they need and asked if I could celebrate my birthday there. I talked with CJ and he was excited to cook for the kids. Then I asked friends and family to donate things that the children will need. KidsIM orphanage is home to more than 40 kids, ranging from 5 months old to 19 years old. So we got a whole lot of items – food, clothes, reading materials, school supplies, toiletries – from my awesome friends.

It was such a great way to spend my birthday. Iba din talaga pag nakakasalamuha ka sa mga bata. We shared a humble merienda of macaroni and cheese, potato chips, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cookies and iced tea.

After merienda, some of us just hung out and spoke to the staff, played along with the kids in their playground. It was good to know that there are places like KidsIM that can make a home for orphans, even for just a while.

Pero syempre, hindi pa din nawala ang inom at chibog ng konti, so I brought my friends to Cloud 9 Antipolo. It was a great place to visit for the view, and the friends who didn’t know about it loved the view of the night lights, and the friends of mine who did know about it got a little nostalgic for the good ol’ high school days.

So thank you to all who came and all who shared their blessings with the children at the orphanage. It was a fantastic experience and we look forward to doing more! Cheers!