A life changed

In 2006, six boys were caught stealing from the property of Julius Babao’s family in Quezon City. The boys were arrested and jailed. But instead, Julius opted to find help for the children to get them out of jail. Through Virlanie Foundation, the children were released.

Being the complainant, Virlanie Foundation suggested to Julius if he could help with the rehabilitation of one of the children named Marlon by helping the child in school. The action man willingly obliged.

Six years after, the boy is now in fourth year high school and is planning to be a seafarer.

Marlon is the sixth of 10 children. His father is a driver while his mother has no job. They are informal settlers in Quezon City.

Marlon was only 11 years old when he set foot at the Babao property. It was not the first time that he and his friends stole iron to sell to the junk shop and make money.

The automated mechanism of the garage door of the Babaos would have earned him a few extra bucks but then they got caught. Marlon, now 17, claims that he was not fully aware about the wrongdoing because he was very young then.

“It changed my life when I saw Julius when I was in jail,” says Marlon.

Julius’ generosity gave Marlon a chance to prove to himself that he is not a thief, says his mother Marilou.

Instead of being traumatized by the experience, Marlon drew inspiration from it to finish school.

For the past six years, Marlon and his family were under the guidance of Virlanie Foundation. Nanette Repalpa, program head of the Virlanie Foundation, believes that if a minor like Marlon ended up in jail, his chances for reform would have been slimmer.

The family remains grateful to Julius and Virlanie Foundation, because to this day, Marlon continues to dream of a better future for himself.

I have to give it to Julius for caring enough to make that phone call to ask for Virlanie’s intervention to help the children despite the fact that they stole from their property and more so, because he went the extra mile by helping Marlon in his needs in school.

Julius candidly admits that he did not know how much impact that seemingly small gesture had on Marlon’s future. “I didn’t realize so many things had happened in his life,” says Julius.

But what he remembers vividly is how tiny the children were when he went to see them in jail. “They looked like they were only six years old.”

They appeared tigasin and not one of the kids apologized to Julius when they saw him.

To Julius, it was clear that he had to find a way to help the children not become hardcore criminals.

He asked the help of Bantay Bata which referred him to the Virlanie Foundation.

Six years after, the boy he once helped visited him on DZMM’s Aksyon Ngayon as a Father’s Day surprise.

Julius tweets: “Happy to meet my Virlanie Foundation scholar Marlon. I met him when he was caught stealing inside my garage years ago. He was put behind bars along with other adult offenders. I asked Virlanie Foundation in helping Marlon’s outlook in life by taking him out of jail and putting him in their care. I know that there is good in him and there is still time to reform him. I am proud to say that Marlon has been performing well in school and has become an obedient and responsible person. Thank you, Virlanie Foundation for changing him and for making him a better person.”

We sometimes do not realize how much of an impact a simple deed has on people. Julius gave Marlon the opportunity to have a better future, but more importantly, Marlon gave himself that chance to be a better person.

To our Papa Nick, for the simple deeds and priceless love. To our Papa Boon, for simple pleasures. Thank you both! We are who we are because of you! We love you! Happy Father’s Day!

(To those who want to get in touch with Virlanie Foundation [#4055 Yague St. Brgy. Singkamas Makati City], call 896-2289. They also have a home for children in conflict with the law in Tagaytay.)