To celebrate its first year anniversary in a meaningful way, the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) spent an afternoon with the children of Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres in Bustos, Bulacan.
Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres is an orphanage that houses more than 150 abandoned children.
SPEEd President Isah V. Red, editor of Manila Standard, led members of the organization on Nov. 5 in bringing good cheer to the home’s residents, whose ages ranged from 7 to 12 years. With them were donations of clothes, slippers, books, toys, toiletries, food and drinks and medicines. Beyond material gifts, it was the chance to share their blessings that was ultimately more precious to all.
SPEEd secretary Ian Farinas of People’s Tonight, and assistant secretary Gie Trillana of Malaya Business Insight, coordinated with Bahay at Yaman’s surrogate mother and volunteer co-worker Myrna del Rosario to make the event possible.
With the assistance of program coordinator Noel Vincent Ordiales, SPEEd members Dondon Sermino of Abante and Rohn Romulo of People’s Balita hosted the games, with generous prizes donated by GMA Network Communications team led by Angel Javier (candy bags and balloons), Liwayway Marketing Corp through Kacie Gotamco and Annie Ringor (Bread Pan and Choco Chugs) and Dr. Eric and Vina Yapjuangco of Icon Clinic through Chuck Gomez (toiletry kits and medicine).
Jerry Olea of Abante Tonight, Ervin Santiago of Bandera, Janice Navida of Bulgar (who baked brownies for the occasion), Maricris Nicasio of Hataw, Eugene Asis of People’s Journal, Salve Asis of Pilipino Star Ngayon/Pang-Masa, Tessa Arriola of The Manila Times and Dinah Ventura of Daily Tribune assisted in the games and gift-giving. Accompanying the group was Chuck Gomez and Sonny Espiritu as official photographer.
Adding more fun to the event were a photo booth and face-painting booth, courtesy of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications group led by Kane Choa.
San Miguel Corporation through Jon Hernandez gave boxes of Magnolia mineral water to quench the kids’ thirst, while Unilab for Ritemed, through Claire Papa and Butch Raquel, donated boxes of vitamin C and paracetamol.
Bahay at Yaman is a well-kept compound that houses the charity school arm of Angelicum. Since 2003, kids from Prep to High School have received education within its grounds, where a pictureque chapel is also located.
According to volunteer co-worker Adora Briones, those who are interested in sharing their blessings to the children may donate the following: Toiletries (bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, alcohol), laundry soap or detergent, condiments (cooking oil, soy sauce, vinegar, fish sauce etc), clothes, slippers and books.
Contact Noel Ordiales at 09212579375 or log on to their website www.stmartinproject.org.
