It was a very busy Saturday (December 12, 2009) for the Guardian Angels of America Foundation. We all started early. I went to the Mabuhay Manor at around 9:30 in the morning with Dr. Philip Cruz who was kind enough to give me a ride to Ms. Herrera's place. When we arrived, Ms. Herrera was already preparing the boxes full of toys and clothes for both the Inquirer Read-Along Event and the Medical Mission in the afternoon. The Baranggay Chairman, Hon. Michael Del Rosario (Dr. Cruz's Cousin), the Medical Mission's beneficiary and his kid were also there. I also met Mr. Bing Dela Vega, founder of the PeDRO (Philippine Emergency Disaster Relief Organization) who, like the GAAF, is also based in the United States. After loading 3 boxes full of toys in Mr. Dela Vega's van, we went to the Inquirer Office in Makati to join their Read-Along event.
It was my first time to join a Read-Along. "Napakasaya Pala". I was listening as eagerly as the little kids to the storytellers. The stories were written and drawn by Filipino authors and illustrators. There was a projector showing images and texts as the storyteller reads the book in Tagalog. There were 4 storytellers and luckily, we were able to catch up with the first read-along. It was about a dad and his love for his son, great story, great story. The readers were fantastic as well. In fact they were so good that whenever they ask the kids to do something like say, clap their hands... I also clap mine; when the reader says "tweet tweet".... the kids and me reply with "meow meow". It was a fun experience . After the 3rd reader, there came an intermision nuber. The Cheetah Girls' "One World". The last readers were the CEO (with her son) and Chair of the Board of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Prieto-Romualdez. It only shows that reading, studying and learning is a family matter.
Then came our group's highlight. The toy giving. The Inquirer marshall asked for every kids' attention and told them that the toy giving was about to start. The toy giving had the same "feel" as the ones we've had in the hospitals even though it's in a comfy multi purpose hall. Why? It's because the children, were from Tripa de Galina, a depressed community in Pasay. The children were so excited to receive the stuffed toys, you could see it in their faces. They were so happy with the toys they got that none of them forgot to say thank you with a big big smile on their faces, some of them even shout "meri krismas!". Somehow I felt like I was Santa's elf, I didnt produce the toys, I didnt pack them, neither did I shipped them. I only distributed them to the children. Seeing their smiles, I thought... "it's all worth it"
After GAAF and PeDRO had their photos done with the CEO and Chair, the Inquirer staff also invited us for lunch and led us to their staff room. Doc Philip gave me the "Go" signal that we should start eating because we have another affair after this one, a much much bigger event at that. While we were eating our lechon manok, pancit, cake and softdrinks, one of the columnists was interviewing Ms. Herrera about how GAAF started, it's vision, mission and status to date. "It started with just 3 boxes of toys, for PGH, now on our 3rd year, we have 100 boxes for around 10 hospitals, prioritizing the poor and sick children. It's about cheering the little kids especially during the Christmas Season", Ms. Herrera told the columnist. After a few more rounds of softdrinks and a slice of cake from Becky's Kitchen, we went off to the next destination. On our way out, Ate Shirley (Inq Staff) handed us small stuffed toys, Guyito the carabao, the official mascot of the Phil Daily Inquirer... wearing a vest that had "Inquirer Read-Along" written on it.
(to be continued)
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