Paying It Forward

Seven years ago, my family and I decided to "pay it forward" to our community by launching a feeding program for children aged five and below. My career in development and disability had already opened my eyes to global poverty, but my awareness of the issue in my own country began much earlier. In high school, my classmates and I were allowed to live for a day in the slums of Metro Manila, an experience that profoundly shaped my perspective.

Our childhood home is not far from my old school, Malate Catholic School, which, through its programs, taught us about life through action. The school encouraged students to engage with the less fortunate, even providing scholarships funded by a portion of our school fees. In an area where poverty was a visible part of the landscape, this exposure felt both natural and necessary.

After many years, our family decided to move back to our home in Laguna permanently. As the youngest of four, I was the last to leave home, and my mom had been left alone in the city house. When my father retired and returned home, my parents chose to settle here in the south, where they could tend to their plants and be closer to relatives. It was also a conscious decision to leave behind the tragic memory of my brother’s death in the city, choosing to be closer to where he was laid to rest alongside my grandfather and, five years ago, my mother.

During my holiday breaks, I would join local health workers to help weigh children and speak with mothers about hygiene, sanitation, and nutrition. This is when I truly saw the reality of our neighbors' lives. I saw families of ten or more living in two-meter shanties, with open canals running in front of their homes. Lines of water hoses snaked through narrow passageways, and the ground was perpetually wet, even on the hottest days. The air was filled with the scents of cooking, and children were everywhere, playing outside because there was no space inside.

"One Child, One Cup"

These observations prompted me to take action. Since I was not home most of the time, I could only commit to one activity per year. I wanted to keep it simple and free of any political association, so we decided to keep the project within the family.

The idea for Isang Bata – Isang Tasa ("One Cup – One Child") was born when I returned from Sierra Leone in late 2007. It's a simple mission: one cup of nutritious food is all a child needs to "go, grow, and glow." While my dream is to provide this daily, for now, we can only afford to feed the children once a year and provide them with multi-vitamins as long as our supply lasts.

We host the event every January, a month when many family birthdays occur, including my own. Instead of celebrating with friends, I use the money to cook large batches of Arroz Caldo for the children. This is not the simple boiled rice and salt or MSG-laden instant noodles that many families can afford. Each bowl is a complete meal packed with rice, chicken, egg, and vegetables—primarily Moringa, a local superfood—so the children can enjoy a delicious delicacy full of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals.

Our requirements for the children are simple: they must arrive in clean clothes, having bathed, with clean fingernails, and wearing slippers. Initially, we asked them to bring their own bowls, but last year, we were able to provide them with their own cups to keep.

Over the years, the support has been truly heartwarming. I am so grateful for the friends who have helped since the beginning—the one who consistently donates multi-vitamins, and those who contribute cash for food and gifts. Last year, we were even able to distribute hygiene kits and had two friends, both pediatricians, offer free consultations while their children donated old toys. With the outpouring of support this year, I am still deciding what we can offer the children next.

Inspired by Family

My parents, who came from a middle-class background, worked hard to provide my siblings and me with a good life and a good education. My mom, a homemaker, later dedicated her life to the church and doing work with the poor, even using money my dad sent from overseas to help a church member who had nothing. Her actions spoke louder than any words, and her example resonated deeply with us. In a way, helping others has always been a part of our family's story.

With this small gesture, I want to make my parents and my family proud and inspire others to do something for their neighbors. I always say, if I can do this in other countries, why not here? A small act of kindness can touch so many lives, and it gives the giver the energy to keep going. This project is my family’s way of thanking God for the new year, new life, and all the blessings we've received.

(Original post is published at My Decade Long Travel of the same title)