Monday, October 18, 2004

VIRLANIE Foundation

Was very glad to read about a foundation based in Manila dedicated to uplifting the lives of streetchildren. The organization is called VIRLANIE Foundation. VERLANIE actually stands for VItalizing Responsible Living Adulthood through Nurturance Industry and Education. According to their website, ever since they were established in 1992, they have helped thousands of children who have been victims of various forms of abuse and exploitation from the street, from jail, from prostitution and syndicates and even from their own families and relatives.

Princess Caroline of Monaco is set to visit the foundation in Manila this year. Princess Caroline is also said to visit the Philippines solely to visit the children and their families. The Philippines is a struggling country and we need every foreign support we can get to support and nourish the very future of this country. Kudos to Virlanie for their great job!

Monday, October 11, 2004

24 Oras

Started this blog today. Was watching 24 Oras last week and was very disturbed by what is going on in the Philippines. One particular segment was about the homeless family doing their daily *batchoy* routine. That is, sifting through fast food restaurants’ garbage to find whatever piece of meat they can find and later cooking them again with soy sauce.

Many people are unaware of the plight of the poor in my country. This is sad, very sad. Maybe if we could build a massive awareness among other Filipinos and the world in general, and each person responds on his or her own way, then maybe we can make a huge huge difference. I believe that small actions we take on our own contribute to the success and failure of the entire system. I hope I am right.