I totally forgot about this one. Our company decided not to have a Christmas Party this year and have a social awareness activity instead. As we all know, a lot had happened this year and it still breaks my heart to see pictures and videos of the recent tragedy in Cagayan de Oro City.

Anyway, our outreach activity was held at Hospicio de San Jose. Being pregnant and all, I didn’t want to miss this opportunity to help out. And I thank all my college organizations for opening my eyes and instilling in me the heart to reach out to those who are less fortunate.

That day, we were all assigned individual kids to look after. I was assigned to a boy named “Sean Justine”. I was a bit excited at first since I’m also having a boy soon, so I thought that it’ll be a fun experience. But no, the boy I initially picked, who was not Justine in the first place, wanted me to carry him (before that, another girl also wanted me to carry her too!) So I decided to excuse myself out of the exercise and rested my back after a minute of struggling with the kids. I was not irritated, mind you, I was just a bit concern of my current condition. In fact, I was about to give in to the little girl just so she can stop from her tantrums, but my colleague stopped me. I just pity the fact that all they ever wanted is the experience of having someone to take care of them, to cuddle them, and to love them. Some of them have no manners, but I don’t blame them. Who would they look after to in the first place? Who would make them realize the difference between right or wrong? Don’t get me wrong, I salute the people who are patiently there for the kids, but there are only few of them. Their two hands are not enough! I felt sad watching the kids and hearing their stories. Given the right upbringing and the right education, these kids can be the future of our nation! As I was observing them play and enjoy the little moments that they have with their ates and kuyas, I talked to my unborn son. I told him how lucky he is to have both a mother and a father and a family that would love him no matter what. As early as now I want him to be aware of that and to never be selfish but understanding… If only I was rich enough to adopt them all. I’m telling you, the experience was so moving that I sometimes got teary-eyed just by looking at them. Thank you Cheq Systems, Inc. for the initiative.