Bigas (Rice), Sardinas (Sardines) at Trenta (Thirty) Pesos...

The boys and I decided to drop by the grocery after church this afternoon to buy the stuff we would be sending to Tacloban City tomorrow. Nearing our house, we saw five Tawi kids waiting for us at the gate. With a smile they greeted us and handed me a small paper bag and said 'Pakisama nyo pa po ito sa ipadadala nyo bukas sa mga binagyo. ("please include this among the things that you will send to the victim of typhoon") Nangalakal po kami para din sa kanila ("we gathered scrap along the streets and sold it for them")… Sana po makatulong. ("hope this can help too")' I opened the bag and saw a kilo of rice, 2 sardines and three ten peso coins..Ung trenta po pambili nila duon ng tinapay para hindi mayupi sa byahe.' (" the thirty pesos is for them to buy bread in tacloban so that it will not be flattened during the trip") I held the precious bag so tight & assured the boys that their donation will surely help kids in Tacloban. I know how hard they worked today just so they could share. It's not easy being chased by dogs & cops and be bullied by all sorts of 'tambays (streetboys)' in the streets of Rizal... Not easy to walk the entire day looking for scraps in every street garbage drums..but they braved the heat of the sun and all other challenges just to come up with what they think would be of help to others..I said to myself, nahihiya ako sa kanila..hindi ako naaawa, humahanga ako kasi hindi lahat kayang magbigay ng may kalakip na sakripisyo..(“I felt ashamed towards them, I don’t pity them, but I admire them because not everyone is capable of giving with sacrifice...) so often we give from our spare..but these kids gave out of the only things they've got... Reminds me of the poor widow who gave 2 pennies for the Lord... She gave her all for the Master and that made all the difference..

God bless, beautiful children of the Savior...