Ariel Hans C. Sebellino

ACROSS the roomy pavilion was a delicate and lithe frame of a boy yet bursting with energy and excitement, tinkering with raw colored papers, pens and strings — eagerly wanting to piece together some cut-outs.

Sitting in a corner near the stage, dwarfed by other kids in frenzy, an adult watched in amusement, overzealous of an art-in-the-making.  Fourteen-year old Jade Bulalla, a third year high school student of the Mt. Province General Comprehensive High School traveled almost forty-eight hours to get to Cebu City.

Along with his adviser, Jade left his place early dawn of Friday and arrived at the Ecotech in Lahug late evening of Saturday.  On the adviser’s permission, I disrupted a bit of his time to ask how he handled the long trip.  “It doesn’t matter.  I am here to learn and develop my skills,” he said.  Before I could even ask another question, he confidently resumed, “Each kid like me is entitled to participate…my opinion should matter.”

He plans to take up nursing in college.

Jade Bulalla patiently awaits the finished product. Read the rest…

As I walk down the street each morning,
I experience a very strange feeling
Seeing the children of my age, begging.
I now want to be giving
Helping them
Teaching them
Caring for them
And most of all loving them
Giving them my all
For charity is my call

Klyde Glenn Gonzales Grade 5- Gratitude