“Palawakin ang sakop ng iyong pagmamahal. Magbigay liwanag sa iba,” says Bobby Guevara in one of his lectures. Actually, he always says that, and it never fails to put a stake into my heart. He is really one hell of a guy. He transforms individuals, especially if you take him and his class seriously.

Tonight, I took my usual route home. I cross the foot bridge everyday, and everyday I see these street children. Most of the time they ask money or food, but I’m too busy or late in class to attend their needs, to give them a spare of my time. Actually, they are annoying at times especially if you give them nothing. Who can blame them? They grow up in the streets, some of them are not able to go to school, and their parents are not even around them. These kids need to know they matter, and that they are not just being passed by as if they do not exist. I try to be selfless, and I treat these kids at Jollibee for dinner. I did not stay with them, but I bought them food na lang. However, before I bought them dinner, two Ateneans annoy me! One of the kids is wearing a shirt. I don’t know if it’s an org shirt or just a shirt owned by the guy. I heard the girl shouting and pointing to the kid, “That’s your shirt!!! Kunin mo yun! Kunin mo yun!” Gago lang eh. The kid is wearing it already, let it go! I mean, for sure it’s just one shirt and the guy can afford another one. Then, when I am already inside Jollibee, the kids followed me and they are happy and malikot. The girl at the counter is staring at them badly, then she realized that the kids are with me so she stopped that annoying stare. Goodness! They should realize that they don’t have to be rude with these kids! 

Four things I realize: 1. Not all Ateneans are men for others; some of them are men for themselves. All talk, no work. If there’s work, probably it’s required for school; 2. The world is really cruel; 3. If I can spend a lot for a frappe to get my planner, why can’t I spend a 112-peso meal good for three kids?; and 4. These kids know how to say thank you. As I buy and as I walk away from them, all they say is thank you, and that is already a lot for me.

It feels good to give back, really. I am not making them dependent with those who give them something, but I see that they are hungry, and in some way I am responsible to somehow lessen or fill that hunger with food.

  1. pundesal posted this