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Young Emil during the Children of God Christmas Party 2012. |
"THIS CHILD HAS A SAD ST0RY IN MY
HEART. HE IS VINCENT EMIL RICARDO WHO PASSED AWAY LAST MAY 11. LAST SCHOOL YEAR
HE REFUSED TO BE TRANSFERRED IN “BUSOG, LUSOG, TALINO FEEDING PROGRAM”
WHICH SERVES LUNCH DAILY; HE PREFERRED
TO BE ENISTED IN MY CHILD OF GOD ADVOCACY WHOM I AM HAVING A ONCE A WEEK
FEEDING ONLY. HE LIKES THE FOOD I SERVE AND HE IS EXCITED TO RECEIVE MANY GIFTS
DURING DECEMBER FROM ME. WHEN HE PASSED AWAY, HIS PARENTS INFROMED ME. i JUST
BROUGHT FOOD ONCE DURING HS WAKE THE Usual chicken adobo i feed them. I miss
this child......he has still a share of the school bag and materials this June
but these will be given to his elder brother.........Vincent please pray for me
because i am sickly now".
Ma'am Ching
This was posted in my Ma’am Ching FB
last May 30, 2013. It was me who informed her of the misfortune of the boy. I
felt sad and became sadder when Ma’am Ching told me that she could barely walk
a few steps due to her health condition. Yet, I could not be with Ma’am Ching
since I have to perform my task as BEI for the upcoming election then. Two
hours after, I heard Ma’am Ching looking for me. She did visit the wake of Emil
inspite of her condition. Analyzing the situation, it came to me so complicated.
But one thing I am certain of, Ma’am Ching indeed care for the lost of Emil.
And no matter how hard the situation, a mother will always be a mother (whether
biologically or not biologically).
I knew few things about Emil, I know
his grade level, his age and birthday, and even his dream in life which is to
be a police officer; that is if I would check my record. Anything else, he’s
just an ordinary student in our school and my regular attendant for the Children
of God Feeding Advocacy. But his death has taught me two lessons in life.
First, simplicity. The boy was so
simple. He has been sick but he never complained. A teacher told me that if he
is feed of “chichiria”; he would experience “pamamanas”. I even thought he was
healthy because he was chubby. But that was already an indication that he was
suffering kidney troubles. When he was given food, he quietly takes his food.
Ah I remember, one time I noticed he was not able to finish his food but I told
him to clean up his plate so he would receive gift on December. Starting then
on, I received an empty plate from him. Could this mean something from him?
Yes! Read the next lesson. .
Second, humility. He came from a less
fortune family so what should he be proud of? That’s right! He has nothing to
show off but he got more. He got a very big heart. He has never been a headache
to his teacher because; he sits quietly and listens to every teacher’s instructions.
Her adviser said that he performed well in class during the first and second
grading. He never had fights with his classmate but instead remind them to be
nice to teacher. And every morning, when I pass at their house, he greets me “good
morning Ma’am; and on when I’m on my way home, still “good morning Ma’am”. My
fellow teacher even joked “mo-datuay jud ning bataa kay murag intsik, masking
udto ug hapon “good morning Ma’am” ghapon.”
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Emil's box (at his back) during the party was quite big.This was where he placed his all his gifts he received from Ma'am Ching. |
Third, be sensible. In spite of a
very young age, he cared for his family needs. Mrs. Salazar informed him about
he would be transferred to the BLT program, so that he would get daily meals.
But her(Mrs. Salazar) heart was twisted when the boy reasoned out “Ayaw lang ma’am
kay naa man gud mi regalo sa pasko. Hatagan man mi ug bugas. Wala bya trabaho
si Papa.” How could anyone refuse the request of someone so young yet; thinks like
a mature person? As if he does carry the whole word at his back? . . for his family? . . was he really that
sensible? We packed the rice, and it’s not a sack of rice EACH; but a kilo or
two kilos EACH for the members of Children of God. And how did he come up with
this idea when he had not participated any of our Christmas party before (Kinder
are not included to be members of Children of God)? Maybe he had observed it? And
concluded to himself “I would be one of the Children of God someday”? Were
these the reasons why he gave me “empty plates” after each meal he has? And why
he was so nice to his adviser so that he be chosen to be a member of Children
of God? Questions kept baffling my mind. It was sad we lost one good soul but
his life is living testimony of God’s goodness. May we continue to learn from
Emil. . .(Miira S. Ellevera 6/1/2013)