Simple Lives

Got a message last night, one kid at the center had fever and might be suspected of being stricken with Dengue. I went to the center early this morning to check on him.

I normally go on weekends but by the time I arrived they are already busy with a lot of interaction from visitors. When I arrived, what I saw were children playing in the open areas. I've never seen so much smiles on children's faces. Their laughter was mesmerizing. Left alone in their natural state, children will be children.

As we grow older, we've lost that one thing that made us happy... Simplicity. How I wish we can live simple lives just like what these children have. The simple made up toys, the chasing and running around. That feeling of excitement from play. We have forgotten what play is all about.

As one priest said, "Words are toys and play is language". I've never completely agreed with him until I saw them playing today. He was completely right. Today I again learned something new. And that happiness can be found in simple things.... :-)

Facade of Smiles...

In my last article I said, "Life is what we make it..." not imagining that there are others out there not strong enough to chart the course of their own destiny. The children of the marginalized sectors of our society are shocking resemblance of that reality. What's more shocking is the grueling realty of oppression not coming from the people who are better off than them but from people coming from the same stature in society. Seeing that cycle makes me want to question how come they can do such a thing.

I just turned one month this week into this new assignment and have realized how lucky I am indeed. Every time I see those smiling little faces, those forgotten children, those little angels, made me realized how ugly life was for them before the center. As I watched them play around the open ground areas, I can't help but see the faces of children robbed of their innocence and hiding their pain. They are better now.

Like that child on my first day at the center who approached me, embraced me and hugged me. I never realized that the embrace meant so much as a "please love me and hug me back and take me in". I almost cried as I lifted him up, carried him inside the office and let him sit on my lap. We talked the entire afternoon. And for the longest time in months, I suddenly found someone of more or less the same situation as I am. Who was rejected by peers have found acceptance from a small child. His case? He was almost hacked to death by his stepfather and that the task force had to rescue him and put him from harms way. His wounds have healed but the scars remains.

You can see in the eyes of some of these children how deep their hurts and how much of it is still full of defiance and revenge. I can not show these children pity, that would be wrong in so many way. These children do not need our pity, they need our love, care and attention...

Life is what we make it...

It doesn't mean that if one is educated in a public school one make statements that they were less fortunate. Nor one makes public statements that one who was educated in a private school all his life is lucky and has never tasted the hardships of life. I was educated in a private exclusive school from elementary to college but that doesn't mean I'm lucky or privileged. I worked hard for it also. Life is what we make it...

You control your own destiny. To hear a statement coming from someone segregating those who were educated in a public education system from the ones that have been educated in a private system is but appalling, discriminatory and shows arrogance in character. Again you control your own destiny. It has nothing to do with where you were educated and everything to do with one's character.

I have so much appreciation and respect for people who came from the public education system despite the hardships they endure. We should not blame the system for what it is and how thing are done there but rather we should strive to help improve it than criticize it. What we are today are fruits of our labor in the past.

My college education was never an easy one either. I had to send myself through college through a scholarship and had to make ends meet to finish. Taking jobs inbetween like being a graphic artist, computer encoder/programmer/technician and the most odd ones were fixing motorcycle/car engines and doing welding jobs for people. It was hard but very rewarding. I learned a lot from it. Its all in how you percieve thing. If you try and open your mind you will learn and become a better person.

Behind the scenes was my dad who was a great mentor. He always reminded me than you can view the situation positively or negatively. He said, you can either learn from the experience or whine and tell yourself it can't be done. His quest for knowledge, technical skill and resilience was what describes his character. He was never greedy in what knowledge he has acquired from an experience and would willingly give to anyone who would freely accept it. He never stops reading and experimenting despite the hardships of raising his family. I got most of those habits from him.

Mama can attest to his ingenuity when she tells him of a challenge and the comes out with a solution or even a product. They were perfect for each other despite the other challenges they endure even to his last days. We miss you dad and again thank you so much.

A new challenge has been presented to me. A reassignment that suddenly will make me a father figure of 55 kids and adults. And as i take in this new assignment, I can't help but wonder if I will be able to influence and make a difference and emulate what my father has done for me. These kids who have been less fortunate than others, abandoned, brutally and sexually abused, and under the influence. This kids who have never felt love from their parents. Kids who are in pain and rejected by society.

A new beginning... A new challenge to make a difference in the lives of others. A test of strength of character...