Waiting for our boarding, we rested first in Sabina Canteen. While smoking, this kid asked me for a “pamasko”. I gave him 15.00 and he asked me if I will ride the airplane. So I said “Yes, uuwi na kasi ako sa Manila”. He stared at the plane that just landed and I asked him, “O bakit ang lungkot mo”. He replied, “Hindi pa kasi ako kumakain”. I probed further, “Nasaan nanay at tatay mo?”. With a sad face, he answered, “Iniwan kami, bata pa po ako, nakikitira lang po ako sa mga kaibigan ko”. We started to chat, he told me that he often cannot eat, and if lucky and someone gives him 5.00 pesos, he will just buy a “monay”, and that is enough for him the whole day. He does drink water often to fill his stomach. He even told me, “Sana di kami habulin ng mga gwardya dyan sa airport, namamasko lang naman kami”.
How lucky are we? Very much. We were blessed so much, that we don’t experience what this kid is experiencing. I can see how sad and true his stories are from his eyes. I handed him 100.00 pesos, he humbly said “Kuya, salamat po ha”. He repeated telling me that around six times, clunching on the 100.00 very tight. While I lit my second cigarette, he uttered, “Bibilhan ko ng pagkain mga kaibigan ko”. That really breaks my heart. He could have just hold on to the money for himself, but instead, he thought of sharing what he got with his friends.
Boarding time, I told him, “Alis na ako, ingat ka parati”. He replied, “Salamat po ulit, kailan kayo babalik?”. I replied, “Hayaan mo, babalik ako.” He smiled and told me, “Kuya, babye po, pwede po akin na lang yang tubig nyo (pointing at the bottled mineral water I am holding)”. I gladly gave it to him and bid him goodbye.
So don’t forget that you are lucky. We are. And if this kid who almost has nothing still thinks of sharing, more should we.
Amidst the bad day in DFA and the rains, God still seems to remind me that there is really nothing to feel bad about. Going back to DLSU and nothing on the meeting to actually see anymore, went to Harrison Plaza to buy vegetables and I came across this kid crying in the sidewalk. Seeing me, he went to me and shouted in his little voice “Ya Ya, nge pera”
Apparently he was with his siblings, and I guess by the way they look, they are really very hungry. Decided to buy them two boxes of pizza and clean water. I was right, they were really hungry.
Sometimes, we feel bad in a day, always looking for something good to happen. But we forget that good things happen when we make others feel that there is still GOOD on earth.
Decided to go home since getting wet from the rains makes me feel sick already, and as I am backing the car, the little kid shouted again - “Ya Ya”, now with a smile and a wave of goodbye.
There really is something GOOD about this day.
Most of would love to have typhoon to get out of classes? How about those who will do everything to study and eacape poverty, hit by typhoon and experience the grief of losing everything she has in order for her to study. Sometimes we forget, I hope next time we think again before we pray.
Picture shared by a friend
