Today is Monday, December 29, and our first stop is the St. Martin de Porres Orphanage where we would be performing our “Shake it off” dance for the first time.
Today we are performing our dance for the first time so we rehearse in the parking lot before boarding the bus“I guess I should be facing the other way”And we’re offOnce we entered Tondo we notice it was very different than CanadaDefinitely a different standard of livingThe streets are much narrower hereAs we approached we noticed a big crowd in front of the orphanageThe kids were watching the movie “Frozen”When we came in they all started to wave “hi”We head upstairs to the top floorThere’s another group of 40 kids waiting for usFrom the top floor, you can see the view of the Tondo community – our first real culture shockWe mingle with the kids and get to know themWe are formally introduced and welcomed“I want to be a hotel manager”“I want to be an accountant”“My name is Jameson and I want to be a policeman”“My name is Limwell, I am 11 years old and I also want to be a policeman”“I am 12 years old and I want to be a teacher” 🙂“My name is Veronica, I am 12 years old and I also want to be a teacher” 🙂“My name is Nelson and I want to be a solider”“My name is Marc Angelo and I want to work at a police station”
Michael introduces our group and tests our level of focus with a clapping activityGeerthan Ranjahn – When I grow up I want to be a dermatologistAxile Gerona – When I grow up I want to be a journalist
Mitchell Pimenta – When I grow up I want to be a police officerAdrian Durlej – When I grow up I want to be an engineerMarc Viado – When I grow up I want to be a music teacherJohn Samson – When I grow up I want to be a business managerMimi Tran – When I grow up I want to be a social workerDana Salvador – When I grow up I want to be a writerLeah Valenzuela – When I grow up I want to be a producerNicole De Souza – When I grow up I want to be an entrepreneur / business womanMelissa Mathieu – When I grow up I want to be a physiotherapistJulie Fantinato – I am a guidance counselor and teacherLibby Villa – When I grow up I want to be an actressChloe Davis – When I grow up I want to be an event plannerDyan Uy – When I grow up I want to be a doctorTina Rangeet – When I grow up I want to be a computer programmerKaisha Ayienga- When I grow up I want to be a flight attendantJillian Maniquis – When I grow up I want to be a marketing managerChristine Dometita – When I grow up I want to be a nurseFaith Torres – When I grow up I want to be an oncologistEmily Palaganas – When I grow up I want to be an environmental scientistJermin Bates – When I grow up I want to be a pediatricianTime to teach them our danceThey picked it up so fast!They were such awesome dancersAfter teaching them the steps, we performed it for them so they knew how it went with musicLook how in-sync we are!So much fun!Now everyone dances it together. The kids were amazing!Next dance: Cha Cha SlideFollowed by some soca with “Follow da leader”We play a “molecule game” in order to get into groupsWe learn each other’s name1st small group game was Stella-ella-olaNext game: Duck Duck GooseThe kid’s loved “Duck Duck Goose”We end off with some gift giving. The kids were so happy!Michael’s dad Bernie Consul leads us in grace before we all have lunchLook at the delicious food they prepared for us!Originally they had our tables separate from the kids but we decided to eat TOGETHERAfter lunch, we had some time to play with the children and open their giftsCan I have your phone? 🙂Time is running out, we don’t want to leave!Mike can we stay longer please?!Dana and Marc perform a songAdrian and Mimi also do a duetAfter our performances, we presented the kids with even more giftsEveryone got 1 toothbrush, 1 toothpaste, and 1 toy figurineThanks for Father John Redmond’s “Me to We” club for doing a toothbrush and toothpaste driveThanks to Cineplex for donating the toy figurinesThe kids perform a parting song for usThe chorus of the song when translated means, “You’re the best present we got this Christmas” it brought many of us to tears.We give each kid a hugWe get to learn about the market and relocation area which we are visiting nextWe stop off at the gift shop before departing. All items were made by kids at St. Martin de Porres and all proceeds went directly towards the communityDana takes a picture in front the plaque that thanks her relative Centro Salvador who is the biggest financial donor to the orphanage
Up next – our Tondo market tour and our educational visit to the slums of Tondo. Both of which will be featured in our next post.
Please write us a comment below. Thanks for following our travels.
What an awesome act of charity and gift of spirit you are all offering to these children in the Philippines…thank you Mike for providing this opportunity for these students to enjoy such a wonderful experience! God bless!
While watching the pictures, unaware that tears were flowing from my eyes….sad to see the situation in my country of birth and proud and happy that our young students from TCDSB made those kids so very happy….God Bless you all!
I’m proud to be a Pilipino by ethnicity and prouder to be the father of one of the participants in this truly great program…more power.
Part one of the day was very very exciting. The smiles on the children’s faces and how warm and welcoming they are, it was just amazing. It’s amazing how happy they are and it was just a great experience to spend some time with the kids. Highlight of the day for me was my partner Mikaela. She was so happy and she gave me a hug first thing when i met her, it was sooo cutee. Excited for the rest of the trip!
Visiting the orphanage was a fun experience! All the children were adorable, and getting to know them and what they want to be in the future was incredible. Everyone was so kind and welcoming to us, and made me feel like some celebrity😉. I wish we would’ve stayed longer beacause nobody wanted to leave yet, and the fun just began. But overall I enjoyed playing with them, and I know the kids enjoyed too!
A spcecial thanks to Mike Consul for the time and effort going into posting these blogs. They really help in our realizing the terrific job these young people are doing. Our prayers are with the total group.
Thank you and my pleasure. My gift to all of you that have supported our students since their decision to be part of this journey. And my gift to my students so that they will forever have something to remember this experience.
Going to the orphanage was so amazing, the kids were so happy and welcoming. I wish we could have stayed even longer and gotten to be with the kids. The parting song they sang was so beautiful and emotional.
It’s so lovely hearing the kids’ dreams and aspirations in life. Their dreams are their rock. It has the power to push them to always do their best despite of unfavourable circumstances. Anyone, privileged or not, can and should have a dream. I really do want these kids to reach their highest potential. I want them to be able to say that they made it. And maybe one day they will be the ones helping others. 🙂
Visiting the orpahange and getting to know the kids was inspiring. After hearing about their dreams and goals in life I can only hope for the best for these kids as we say our goodbyes, as I know they are taken care of well through ANCOP and I hope everyother child is able to find a sponsor as this truly changes a childs life.
This first visit to see the children was very touching. Usually I feel awkward with children, and especially I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to communicate with them properly. That didn’t matter though. We were all so happy and had lots of fun when we played together. No barriers here. And the looks on their faces when they performed for us, I couldn’t help but cry. Their immense gratitude towards all of us is something that I will treasure and use back in Canada.
Today being our first interaction with children in the Philippines, It was a tremendous eye opener for me! Just observing how the kids had the same aspirations as we did as kids grouping up. One thing we did notice however was how each career the kids aspired to be, all dealt with helping people. It was really amazing to see both the efforts of the orphanage and ANCOP’s Sponsorship Program efforts in effect in this kids, both making them more social and charismatic. Great Day!
The kids were inspiring, the smiles on their faces were from ear to ear and I love how happy they were when we interacted with them. No matter how hard their situation is, at the end of the day they’re still kids with big dreams and it’s amazing. These kids gave me hope in life, I wish for them the very best and things will be alright and no matter what, if you have a dream go for it! nothing & no one should stop you!
My first thought when i got off the bus was “how can anyone live like that”? I was a little more than surprised when i saw the living conditions of the people in the area. When we got to the orphanage i was nervous to meet the kids because I’m not great with children. I managed to still have fun and talk with some of them, but my inexperience stopped me from making any close relationships. I did however feel like i connected with the kids while dancing!
Arriving at the orphanage and see how many children were there made tear up, but I knew they are in good hands. Connecting with the kids was awkward because I knew what they were saying, but could only speak Taglish (Tagalog-English). They somehow understand me 🙂 . The children’s smiles and devotion on what they wanted to be when they grow up inspired me to find the dream that I’ve been searching for.
The incredible thing about visiting the orphanage was being able to see children who seemed to have so little, smiling so big. After hearing and seeing about how different children are after they’ve been sponsored, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue in the future. 🙂
I was SO EXCITED to get here because the main purpose of my traveling to the Phillipines was to build relationships, and I am so blessed to have been able to do so at this orphanage.
The moment we walked in I saw three rows of tables of kids, and I knew instantly I wanted to sing and play music with them! So I asked my friend (now like a sister to me), Axile, to ask the kids in Tagalog if they liked music. And this one huge table of girls screamed “Yes!” So I took my blue ukelele out and began singing Just The Way You Are with them. And guess what? They all sang their hearts out at the chorus, it was so wonderful!
Language was not a barrier. Music and games bonded us all so easily together.
Visiting Tondo was probably the most eye opening experience of the trip. That was the first day we really got to interact and build relationships with the children of the Philippines. I quickly bonded with my dance partner, Jaymar and he introduced me to his friends who were also children sponsored by the orphanage. They loved playing flappy bird on my phone lol 🙂 I was also so happy to see the Centro Salvador establishment and how much good my family’s foundation has actually done in helping the people of the Philippines. I was able to get a full tour of the building from Tita Eunice, the lady who runs the orphanage, and I saw how great it actually is. They even have a clinic inside, to give free medical care to the orphans! It’s so amazing how the J.V. Salvador foundation was able to build an entire building and start an orphanage to help all the needy children in that area. Not to mention the coincidental fact that our group went to the orphanage! And to think, I only found out about it through this trip aha! Such a great experience that has definitely impacted and inspired me. I’ll definitely try to get more involved in helping with the foundation in the near future 🙂
Visiting the st. martin de Porres Orphanage was such a happy moment. Playing and dancing with the children was very nice. Hearing the kids dream and what they wanted to be when they grow up was so inspiring. There smiles made my day and when the say the Thank you song, it really touched me. They were all so cute.
Today was the first day we have been praticing because today was the first day of interaction with the kids. Seeing all there smiles when we walked in made me feel so good, dancing and playing games with them was fun but seeing them have a great time was the best feeling ever. My favorite part of the day was when a boy came up to me and said wow you are tall! So it was a great day
The first day we went to an orphanage and got to bond with some kids. Some of them were more reserved than others but by the end of the day most of them opened up. I was really exited to get started on this trip and meet more and more kids after this day. We played games and handed out gifts which made me feel really good, and that was nice!
Seeing all that garbage around the community was insane and seeing the top view of the Tondo Community really caught my eye.It was very different. All the rooftops were flat, and many of the buildings were small. The streets were more narrow and it was very crowded.
Being in that orphanage was fun! We all got to introduce ourselves and say what we want to be when we grow up, we got to dance with them, and play many popular games. (like Duck Duck Goose) Lunch time was also fun, as all the little girls around John and I were trying to do the Cup Song from Pitch Perfect haha. They were all smiling, and making us laugh.
In the orphanage, I met this little boy named Wesley. He was sweet and very shy at first. It was hard saying good bye to him, and I hope to see him again.
Oh goodness, Kaisha! Backwards really? HAHAHA
I was very surprised when we gt off the bus, not only because of the living conditions but because of what the kids did in their spare time. Napping on the sidewalk and plying with pink baby chicks is definitely a first for me.
I really loved playing with the kids though! This was definitely a great introduction into figuring out how to play with all the kids I met during the trip.
Catholic Student Leadership 
No cross cultural difference in the joy seen on all faces! Excellent ambassadors! Can’t wait to read about the next adventure.
What an awesome act of charity and gift of spirit you are all offering to these children in the Philippines…thank you Mike for providing this opportunity for these students to enjoy such a wonderful experience! God bless!
While watching the pictures, unaware that tears were flowing from my eyes….sad to see the situation in my country of birth and proud and happy that our young students from TCDSB made those kids so very happy….God Bless you all!
I’m proud to be a Pilipino by ethnicity and prouder to be the father of one of the participants in this truly great program…more power.
Thank you for the kind words. Your daughter is a role model for others to look up to. Encourage her to spread the message.
I am incredibly grateful to have been part of such an incredible initiative, and just as grateful to have family that supported me to get there. 🙂
Make it happen! Make an immediate difference in the life of another person
Sounds like yet another amazing day!
God Bless the difference you are making to so many!
Peace and Hope, Steve De Quintal Teacher, St. Mary’s CSS
Part one of the day was very very exciting. The smiles on the children’s faces and how warm and welcoming they are, it was just amazing. It’s amazing how happy they are and it was just a great experience to spend some time with the kids. Highlight of the day for me was my partner Mikaela. She was so happy and she gave me a hug first thing when i met her, it was sooo cutee. Excited for the rest of the trip!
Visiting the orphanage was a fun experience! All the children were adorable, and getting to know them and what they want to be in the future was incredible. Everyone was so kind and welcoming to us, and made me feel like some celebrity😉. I wish we would’ve stayed longer beacause nobody wanted to leave yet, and the fun just began. But overall I enjoyed playing with them, and I know the kids enjoyed too!
A spcecial thanks to Mike Consul for the time and effort going into posting these blogs. They really help in our realizing the terrific job these young people are doing. Our prayers are with the total group.
Thank you and my pleasure. My gift to all of you that have supported our students since their decision to be part of this journey. And my gift to my students so that they will forever have something to remember this experience.
Going to the orphanage was so amazing, the kids were so happy and welcoming. I wish we could have stayed even longer and gotten to be with the kids. The parting song they sang was so beautiful and emotional.
It’s so lovely hearing the kids’ dreams and aspirations in life. Their dreams are their rock. It has the power to push them to always do their best despite of unfavourable circumstances. Anyone, privileged or not, can and should have a dream. I really do want these kids to reach their highest potential. I want them to be able to say that they made it. And maybe one day they will be the ones helping others. 🙂
Visiting the orpahange and getting to know the kids was inspiring. After hearing about their dreams and goals in life I can only hope for the best for these kids as we say our goodbyes, as I know they are taken care of well through ANCOP and I hope everyother child is able to find a sponsor as this truly changes a childs life.
This first visit to see the children was very touching. Usually I feel awkward with children, and especially I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to communicate with them properly. That didn’t matter though. We were all so happy and had lots of fun when we played together. No barriers here. And the looks on their faces when they performed for us, I couldn’t help but cry. Their immense gratitude towards all of us is something that I will treasure and use back in Canada.
Today being our first interaction with children in the Philippines, It was a tremendous eye opener for me! Just observing how the kids had the same aspirations as we did as kids grouping up. One thing we did notice however was how each career the kids aspired to be, all dealt with helping people. It was really amazing to see both the efforts of the orphanage and ANCOP’s Sponsorship Program efforts in effect in this kids, both making them more social and charismatic. Great Day!
The kids were inspiring, the smiles on their faces were from ear to ear and I love how happy they were when we interacted with them. No matter how hard their situation is, at the end of the day they’re still kids with big dreams and it’s amazing. These kids gave me hope in life, I wish for them the very best and things will be alright and no matter what, if you have a dream go for it! nothing & no one should stop you!
My first thought when i got off the bus was “how can anyone live like that”? I was a little more than surprised when i saw the living conditions of the people in the area. When we got to the orphanage i was nervous to meet the kids because I’m not great with children. I managed to still have fun and talk with some of them, but my inexperience stopped me from making any close relationships. I did however feel like i connected with the kids while dancing!
Arriving at the orphanage and see how many children were there made tear up, but I knew they are in good hands. Connecting with the kids was awkward because I knew what they were saying, but could only speak Taglish (Tagalog-English). They somehow understand me 🙂 . The children’s smiles and devotion on what they wanted to be when they grow up inspired me to find the dream that I’ve been searching for.
The incredible thing about visiting the orphanage was being able to see children who seemed to have so little, smiling so big. After hearing and seeing about how different children are after they’ve been sponsored, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue in the future. 🙂
I was SO EXCITED to get here because the main purpose of my traveling to the Phillipines was to build relationships, and I am so blessed to have been able to do so at this orphanage.
The moment we walked in I saw three rows of tables of kids, and I knew instantly I wanted to sing and play music with them! So I asked my friend (now like a sister to me), Axile, to ask the kids in Tagalog if they liked music. And this one huge table of girls screamed “Yes!” So I took my blue ukelele out and began singing Just The Way You Are with them. And guess what? They all sang their hearts out at the chorus, it was so wonderful!
Language was not a barrier. Music and games bonded us all so easily together.
Visiting Tondo was probably the most eye opening experience of the trip. That was the first day we really got to interact and build relationships with the children of the Philippines. I quickly bonded with my dance partner, Jaymar and he introduced me to his friends who were also children sponsored by the orphanage. They loved playing flappy bird on my phone lol 🙂 I was also so happy to see the Centro Salvador establishment and how much good my family’s foundation has actually done in helping the people of the Philippines. I was able to get a full tour of the building from Tita Eunice, the lady who runs the orphanage, and I saw how great it actually is. They even have a clinic inside, to give free medical care to the orphans! It’s so amazing how the J.V. Salvador foundation was able to build an entire building and start an orphanage to help all the needy children in that area. Not to mention the coincidental fact that our group went to the orphanage! And to think, I only found out about it through this trip aha! Such a great experience that has definitely impacted and inspired me. I’ll definitely try to get more involved in helping with the foundation in the near future 🙂
Visiting the st. martin de Porres Orphanage was such a happy moment. Playing and dancing with the children was very nice. Hearing the kids dream and what they wanted to be when they grow up was so inspiring. There smiles made my day and when the say the Thank you song, it really touched me. They were all so cute.
Today was the first day we have been praticing because today was the first day of interaction with the kids. Seeing all there smiles when we walked in made me feel so good, dancing and playing games with them was fun but seeing them have a great time was the best feeling ever. My favorite part of the day was when a boy came up to me and said wow you are tall! So it was a great day
The first day we went to an orphanage and got to bond with some kids. Some of them were more reserved than others but by the end of the day most of them opened up. I was really exited to get started on this trip and meet more and more kids after this day. We played games and handed out gifts which made me feel really good, and that was nice!
Seeing all that garbage around the community was insane and seeing the top view of the Tondo Community really caught my eye.It was very different. All the rooftops were flat, and many of the buildings were small. The streets were more narrow and it was very crowded.
Being in that orphanage was fun! We all got to introduce ourselves and say what we want to be when we grow up, we got to dance with them, and play many popular games. (like Duck Duck Goose) Lunch time was also fun, as all the little girls around John and I were trying to do the Cup Song from Pitch Perfect haha. They were all smiling, and making us laugh.
In the orphanage, I met this little boy named Wesley. He was sweet and very shy at first. It was hard saying good bye to him, and I hope to see him again.
Oh goodness, Kaisha! Backwards really? HAHAHA
I was very surprised when we gt off the bus, not only because of the living conditions but because of what the kids did in their spare time. Napping on the sidewalk and plying with pink baby chicks is definitely a first for me.
I really loved playing with the kids though! This was definitely a great introduction into figuring out how to play with all the kids I met during the trip.