December 2007, Bubba and I started this small Christmas project intended for the street kids. As part of our initiative to give back the blessings, we decided to share the blessings by handing out loot bags for the less fortunate kids loitering on the streets. We spent one whole Sunday afternoon personally filling up the loot bags. It was such a fun activity watching Kung Fu Hustle and bonding while being so productive. Aside from the goodies that were inside the bag, we had little prayers included too. (Goody Bag Project Album)

Not only did we share the bags to the kids in the Metro. During an out-of-town trip, we also gave out these goody bags to the kids in the rural areas and it was such a lifting experience to see the big smiles brightening the youngsters’ faces. This year was a little different for me. Mid-year, I had started planning out another charity project. This time it was for the kids at White Cross. I really love kids and corny as it sounds, they are the source of hope for the future –especially in a world where people tend to have less and less of a moral backbone. It is a fantastic feeling to be in the company of innocence. Unfortunately, that mid-year project I planned out was put on hold. The holiday season this year went by like a breeze. I didn’t even get to sniff it. I didn’t feel the Holiday was approaching much this year.

Fortunately for me I was given a chance to feel the Christmas spirit and the joy of loving and giving during a day spent in Hospicio de San Jose. Thanks to Sarah Ching aka Sarge for making me a part of this.

December 29, 2007. Everyone woke up early on a Saturday to prepare for a day with the elderly. Bubba and I met up with Sarah and friends at SM Manila. It was a day full of activities, sharing and playing games, organized for Lolo and Lola. (Hospicio De San Jose Album) There were actually more Lolos and Lolas than the volunteers but we were able to manage. Sarah and I were in the same group, which is group #5, while Bubba was part of group #1. I was so elated to win “Know your Lolo/Lola” game for Lola Bernadette, which got her a big basket of fruits. On the other hand, Bubba won an award for the Model Volunteer and I am really proud that out of maybe 30 volunteers, he bagged that one without even knowing there was such recognition. He totally deserves it because unbeknown to everyone, he had the eyeglasses of Lolo Victor fixed. He went back to Hospicio early on a weekday to pay lolo a visit and return his eyewear.