“Why are you doing this?” I remember Fr. Ting Miciano asking us that question when went to Don Bosco Pugad last Sunday to give the gifts and donation to the kids there. I just smiled and told him that I just want to do something nice for the kids. I guess I just thought of giving something back to others as a way of being thankful for all the blessings that I receive everyday.

Fr. Ting is the Center Director for Pugad. He introduced us to the kids and they looked very excited. Their eyes lit up as they receive their gifts. It was really a good experience, a very nice feeling to make somebody happy. I’m not writing this to show off our good deed. I’m not sharing this with you to show you how good a person I am. I’m telling you this to encourage you to try it sometime. A little nice gesture to someone who needs your help will go a long way. It doesn’t need to be a financial or material help. It can be a prayer or even a small compliment.

During our visit, we learned that most of the younger kids are being transferred to Tuloy sa Don Bosco in Alabang. The ones in Makati are the migrant youth, probably 16 years and up. Most of them are taking up technical courses at Don Bosco. Fr. Ting told us that there are graduates from the program who are nice enough to come back to the Center to help out and tutor other kids. Though they have their own jobs, they take the time to give something back. Ah, they’ve learned well.

At one point in our conversation, Fr. Ting told me “Ang bait mo naman” (How nice you are). I’m really not that nice so I felt a little awkward when I receive comments like that. Again, I just smiled. Most people think of me as a brat, an extremely finicky and moody person. Well maybe I am. But I guess I’m lucky enough to have family and friends who love me even though I drive them crazy sometimes. Ali once told me when we were just friends that he doesn’t like girls who are maarte (finicky, fussy). But he ate his words when I became his girlfriend!

Anyway, it’s good to have someone telling you that you are a nice person. But it’s even better when you see smiling faces because of what you did. Go ahead, make someone happy today.

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