CEBU, Philippines - Fashion is indeed more than frivolous. Unless one is living in a pond for years, we are all familiar with the 7th on Sale Charity Drive and more. In this island paradise, models and guests of M.A.C.>Models Association of Cebu spent weeks to prepare for another visit to the Sto. Niño Children’s Center in Catarman, Lilo-an, Cebu. As the date came nearer and nearer, first time visitors and models were in anticipation of the big day.
The big day came and we were welcomed by over-excited kids at the gate of the center. As we hauled food, sacks of rice, slippers for each of the 33 kids and individual gifts, the excitement upped a few notches higher. We had an adopt-a-child program for that day so each of the kids had a “kuya” or “ate” to bond with. We had games that the kids loved and brought out the “kid” in every grown up including paparazzo Dan Douglas Ong, who obviously had the time of his life. Birthday celebrators Stephanie Senires and Apple Angcon shared the cake with fellow kid celebrators, two of them were twin brothers Jay Kem and Jim Ken, who turned five that day.
As the bonding turned deeper, hugs and smiles were shared and most of the models could not help but be teary-eyed when it was time to say goodbye. Tears of joy, most definitely! We went there to give happiness to those who needed it the most. Turned out we needed it too.