Street children in the Philippines

I took this picture few months back while I was heading home from work. The child beggars spend their day begging for money so they can give food for their families. As soon as the stop light turns red, you see one or two kids rush in the jeepney wiping shoes, leaving a little envelope for money or even singing to attract donations.  They also work at night till they have enough money to feed their family.  Sometimes, they are under controlled by a syndicate. These syndicate would kidnap children to be used as beggars.  They would feed, house and exploit them. Besides begging, they would use them for house cleaning and other errands. If they try to escape, they will be beaten.

The government has Welfare Program for the Street Children but they are not doing enough to help these exploited children from these cruel world.

It really crushes my heart when I see this kids…What will happen to them?  Are they destined to be tugs and drifters? Really heart breaking!

Singing Child Beggar

Children Beggars counting change

The importance of creative play

CREATIVE PLAY

Atulayan Island, Camarines Sur Philippines

The importance of creative play in early childhood is one of the most important criteria in Mental Health. Play helps children weave together all the elements of life as they experience it. It allows them to digest life and make it their own. It is an outlet for the fullness of their creativity, and it is an absolutely critical part of their childhood. With creative play, children blossom and flourish; without it, they suffer a serious decline.

Source: Joan Almon of  Wardolf Research Institute

* The photo was taken before leaving the island. The kids in the photo live in the island with their family who watches over the resort.

Toy Banka (Boat)

TOY BANKA (BOAT) 

As soon as we got down Nato Port from Atulayan Island, I saw these two adorable brothers playing with their toy banka (boat). I just had to take a picture. You can see the innocence and joy of  the two brothers showing off their prize toy.

 

Kids playing with their toy banka (boat) – Nato Port, Camarines Sur Philippines

Kids playing with their toy banka (boat) – Nato Port, Camarines Sur Philippines

Kids playing with their toy banka (boat) – Nato Port, Camarines Sur Philippines

Kids playing with their toy banka (boat) – Nato Port, Camarines Sur Philippines

Never Judge Anyone

I stumbled upon this heart wrenching story from Misalyn’s Blog and got a little weepy eyed. I just had to repost.

What do you think?

Never Judge Anyone by Dreaker Murray McFadden 

A doctor entered the hospital in hurry after being call…ed in for an urgent surgery. He answered the call ASAP, changed his clothes and went directly to the surgery block.
He found the boy’s father going and coming in the hall waiting for the doctor. Once seeing him, the dad yelled:
“Why did you take all this time to come? Don’t you know that my son’s life is in danger? Don’t you have the sense of responsibility?”

The doctor smiled and said:
“I am sorry, I wasn’t in the hospital and I came the fastest I could after receiving the call…… And now, I wish you’d calm down so that I can do my work”

“Calm down?! What if your son was in this room right now, would you calm down? If your own son dies now what will you do??” said the father angrily

The doctor smiled again and replied: “I will say what Job said in the Holy Bible “From dust we came and to dust we return, blessed be the name of God”. Doctors cannot prolong lives. Go and intercede for your son, we will do our best by God’s grace”

“Giving advice when we’re not concerned is so easy” Murmured the father.

The surgery took some hours after which the doctor went out happy, “Thank God! Your son is saved!”

And without waiting for the father’s reply he carried on his way running. “If you have any question, ask the nurse!!”

“Why is he so arrogant? He couldn’t wait some minutes so that I ask about my son’s state” Commented the father when seeing the nurse minutes after the doctor left.

The nurse answered, tears coming down her face: “His son died yesterday in a road accident, he was in the burial when we called him for your son’s surgery. And now that he saved your son’s life, he left running to finish his son’s burial.”

NEVER JUDGE ANYONE because you never know how their life is and as to what is happening or what they’re going through.

*************************

Photo Location: Pasacao, Camarines Sur Philippines

Photo Credit: Kathleen Bichara, my niece

Atulayan Island

MY TRIP TO ATULAYAN ISLAND

This day trip with my niece and our friend, Jake was spontaneous.  Had a late start and left the terminal in Naga City Central around 8:00 am..The bus ride took about two hours and had to take a Trycicle in Tigaon to Nato Port. From there, I hired a boat (Banka) for P700 ($16.50) and rented a Hut for P300 ($6.92).  The boat ride only took us 15 minutes from the Port of Nato. The island is located in Sangay Camarines Sur and was once the site of the French-Italian movie “Mutiny in the South Seas.” It is a paradise of an island…with its thick forest, coral reef and friendly Bicolano caretakers.

I say, I truly enjoyed this day trip with my niece. Nothing but adventure especially the part when we had to wash off in the balon (well) and changed behind a coconut tree.

Now, I am itching to see Bagasbas in Daet Camarines Norte..a 4 hour bus ride from Naga City.   It is known to be a surfing beach because of its waves….I plan to take my niece again tentatively this Saturday but will have to stay overnight if the plan pushes through. Would love to go to Caramoan but  it is currently close since they are shooting the Survivor USA in that chain of Islands…

Happiness all day!

Our Lady of Peñafrancia

Our Lady of Peñafrancia

The feast (or Fiesta) of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated on the third Saturday of September in Naga City, Bicol. The feast day is preceded by a nine days of novena prayer, in honor of the Virgin Mary. On the first day, the image of the Virgin, a copy of the Madonna in Peñafrancia, Spain, is brought from its shrine to the Naga Cathedral where the novena is held. On the last day, the image is returned to her shrine following the Naga River route. The colorful evening procession is lit by thousands of candles from devotees in boats escorting the image. When the barge reaches its destination, the devotees shout “Viva la Virgen” (Long live the Virgin!) and the image is brought back in a procession to the cathedral. The famous Madonna is believed to have miraculous powers. On her feast day, pilgrims gather at her shrine to pay her homage for favors received.

I have also included a timelapse photography of Bong Bajo, where over 15,000 still photos were put together to create the video. In the video, you will see how deeply devoted Bicolanos are…..I hope this gives you a reason to visit my lovely province Naga City, Camarines Sur.

 

Location:  Youth Prayer Group

Naga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines

Photographer: Kathleen Bichara, my niece

Secret to Success

SECRET TO SUCCESS

“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want,and, if they can’t find them, make them.”

~George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Irish Playwright

Location: Victoria, BC