A special day for the innocents

The former street children residing in Tulay ng Kabataan (TNK) Foundation headquarters in Intramuros got the biggest surprise of their lives when Pope Francis and his entourage visited the orphanage after the Mass at the Manila Cathedral. The charismatic Pope proved once again that he is indeed a man full of surprises when he made a quick stop at the foundation, which was not part of his original itinerary. The Pope stayed at the orphanage only for a few minutes but this was enough to bring smile, tears and hope to the children.

TNK was established in 1998. It continues to fulfill its noble mission of serving poor children in Metro Manila. It has various programs for street children, children in slum areas, the scavenger kids and the mentally-challenged youth.

This brings to mind the letter I received from Cecile Guidote-Alvarez regarding the observance of Holy Innocents’ Day (Dec. 28) which is dedicated to street kids and other children who find themselves in difficult circumstances.

In 2006, Proclamation No. 1207 was signed by former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declaring Dec. 28 (Holy Innocents’ Day) as a special day dedicated to street children and other abandoned, orphaned, abused and marginalized youth.

According to the presidential proclamation:

1. Holy Innocents’ Day (Dec. 28, 2006) commemorates the massacre of all children less than two years of age, as ordered by King Herod to make sure that Jesus did not survive.

2. The Holy Innocents were the very first saints and they died not only for Christ, but in place of Christ.

3. The abandoned and neglected children of today are the Holy Innocents of our times.

4. It is but fitting to declare Holy Innocents’ Day a special day dedicated to street children and other abandoned, orphaned, abused and marginalized youth.

5. We must devote this special day as the starting point of solving our street children problem and make possible a convergence of cooperativism and synergized cultural initiatives for vulnerable groups.

6. The focus on their needs, conditions and celebrating their capacity to social transformation and achievement would be inspiring to forge broader community and national support for advancing their welfare.

However, Dec. 28 remained a regular working day.

Calayan opens new clinic

I was recently invited by Dr. Manny Calayan to the opening of Calayan Medical Group’s newest clinic. The new Calayan branch is located at #25 second floor of SCT Bldg., Timog Ave., Quezon City.

Joining the special occasion were Solenn Heussaff, Philippine National Red Cross secretary general Gwen Pang, John Nite, Ejay Falcon, Ronnie Liang, Antonio Aquitania, Moymoy Palaboy, Angelica Jones, Ynez Veneracion and Eric “Eruption” Tai.

The Calayan Medical Group takes pride of its world-class services using the latest, state-of-the-art equipment, technology and products. It boasts of the Calayan brand of excellence that many clients, celebrities and ordinary people have trusted through the years.

During the event, Dr. Calayan also launched the Calayan Secrets Skin Whitening bar soap for him and her. The new whitening soap is available in all Mercury Drugstores in the National Capital Region and in Carlos Superdrugstore nationwide.