Giving Back: A Day at Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children's Home in Pasig City
For the longest time, I wanted to do something meaningful.
I have received so many beautiful, unexpected gifts in life. My cup is full. And when your cup is that full, the only sensible thing to do is let it spill onto the people around you.
So on August 16, my family, a few close friends and I drove to Tahanan ng Pagmamahal in Pasig City.
“Frecelynne” started as a travel brand. Somewhere along the way it stopped being only that. A platform is a strange thing to hold. You can point it at yourself forever, or you can turn it around and point it at people who could use the light. I wanted to turn it around, and I wanted to start with children.
I wanted 15 kids to feel happy, included and celebrated, even for one afternoon.
What the day looked like
There were about 15 kids waiting for us.
I hired a clown to run a magic show and games, which turned out to be the best decision of the entire day. Kids do not care about your brand or your intentions. They care about whether something disappears and reappears in front of their face.
We handed out loot bags and snacks. The kids were super happy as they held the lootbags in two hands.
Then came the part I did not expect.
At the end of the day, the kids had prepared something for us - a song and dance presentation. They had practiced for us.
I came there to give something and ended up on the receiving end of a performance by children who have every reason to keep their joy to themselves and chose to share it anyway.
About Tahanan ng Pagmamahal
Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children's Home is a home for abandoned, neglected and surrendered children. They provide love, care and basic needs to kids who arrived with none of those guaranteed.
It is a Christ centered community. You feel it in how the caregivers move around the children. Nobody is performing for visitors. They are just doing the work, every single day, long after the clown packs up and the guests go home.
That is the part that stayed with me. My visit was one afternoon. Their Tuesday looks like this. So does their Wednesday.
Want to help?
If you have been looking for somewhere to send help, send it here. There is no minimum amount and no quota. Anything you can share matters.
Tahanan ng Pagmamahal Children's Home, Inc.
45 Dr. Pilapil Street, Barangay Sagad, Pasig City
Telephone: (02) 8631-7188 / 8788-838 / 0917 525 7188
Cash donation (most urgent)
Cash is the most needed right now, especially for the medical needs of the children and most especially for the babies. It also covers daily food and school transportation.
Milk
NAN Infinipro HA (Gold), 1 year old
Bonakid, 1 to 3 years old
Bonna, 6 to 12
Pediasure 3+
Pediasure, 1 to 3 years old
Food and condiments
Fresh meat (pork or beef only)
Frozen meat products (bacon, ham, hotdog, longganisa)
Rice
Canned goods (sardines not spicy, corned beef, luncheon meat)
Cooking oil or coconut oil
Native Filipino fruits
Eggs
Distilled water, any brand
Cerelac
Non-food for sanitation
Laundry detergent soap
Shampoo for the children
Bath soap
Trash bags (medium, large, XL)
Dishwashing liquid
Alcohol
Walis tambo
Cerelac without soya
Tahanan ng Pagmamahal is a registered non-profit.
