By: Bo Sanchez

7:00 AM

One Saturday morning, I kidnap our ANAWIM orphans and kids, all fifteen of them, and squeeze them into my car for a day of fun. Along the way, the kids are singing, dancing, screaming, and vomiting on each other. No wonder my car’s air freshener isn’t working well. And where are we going? Not to those expensive amusement parks where people pay 400 per head. Multiply that by fifteen, and I’ll be poorer than a presidential aspirant that’ll lose in the elections. Instead, I decide to go to a place that suits my personal tastes and cultural preferences and artistic orientation: a place with no entrance fee.

9:00 AM

I drive them to a free park (Quezon Circle in Quezon City), rent old bikes which cost me only 400 for everyone! I spend the whole morning trying to teach the small one how to balance on a two-wheeler and wondering whether the big kids have left the park and are now biking up Kennon Road to Baguio City.

11:30 AM

As I try to catch my breath, wipe my sweat away, and remove the new design off my shirt and pants (e.g. Bike-tracks), I begin to wonder why I ever got into this things of putting up an orphanage. Perhaps I should shift careers now. I begin to imagine entering showbiz, and making movie with Regine.

12 NOON

After failing to catch them with a lasso or with ingenious pits that I dig and cover with leaves I give up and softly whisper to myself, “Kakain na ako. Kung ayaw ninyong kumain, di huwag.(I’m eating now. if you don’t want to eat, then don’t)” Immediately, all fifteen are behind me, little angels in a row.

1:00 P.M.

After budget meals, plus ice drops (two pesos each) for dessert, I decided on a discovery expedition to a place that they’ve never been to. I escort them to a public toilet. Naturally, they are flushed with excitement. After that, it is ‘swing and slides’ time in park. Life’s pleasures are free indeed.

5: 00 PM

I’m driving home with my tired crew. I’m exhausted, yes but peeking through my rear-view-mirror, I catch a glimpse of the kids sleeping soundly, and my heart skips a beat. I love them so much.

One girl is still awake. She slides up to me and whispers, “Kuya Bo, masaya ako ngayon. (Brother Bo, I’m very happy today.)” So I wonder if it was the bike ride, or the swing, or the ice drops, or the public toilet. I ask, “Bakit? (Why?) “She gives me a tight hug, “Kasi, kasama ka namin.” (Because you are with us.)

I try to drive carefully. My tears are getting in the way.

PS. Happy New Year!

May this article teach you how to have a fun-filled 1999!

Salamat sa Kerygma!