It broke my heart when I saw this news feature about Kneekos, a 7-year old boy from Bulacan who is suffering from a rare illness. Please take time to read about him and if you have extra something that you think can help Kneekos and his family, their contact info are indicated in the latter part of this post.

Below is the actual write-up posted last Nov. 5 on www.inquirer.net:

Kneekos Cortes, a 7-year-old boy from Marilao, Bulacan, suffers from Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis, a rare chronic, progressive encephalitis that causes psychoneurological deterioration, seizures, myoclonic spasms/jerks and decline in body functions.

Kneekos has been given one year to live by his doctors at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital where he is now confined.

Despite the prognosis, his mother, Carmelita, is hopeful that a miracle is not impossible.
The family’s present financial resources is not enough to help pay for the medicines the boy needs. His mother earns little as a house caretaker.

Kneekos has seven siblings, two of whom currently live with relatives. His eldest brother has stopped schooling to be able to help augment the family’s income.

Kind-hearted readers can contact Dr. Mary Gay Marasigan at 09175434788 if they want to help Kneekos. Donations can be coursed through his mother, Lita, by calling her at 09993281339 or through KIDS Foundation at 532-6907 or Tess Bucayan at 0917-8223520.

Image was taken from petcaravan.com

When I was young, I remember that the first pet I had was a cute white kitten. But our friendship didn't last long when my parents discovered that I have asthma. (Poor me)

But that was years and years ago and now I can cuddle a cat for as long as I want since I never had any asthma attacks in recent years. But as much as I want to keep a cat or any pet at home, we can't do it since my 1-year old son was also diagnosed with asthma. He must have got it from me (Sorry, Charles)

For those who would like to adopt a cat or a kitten, Hobbes and Landes in Bonifacio High Street in Taguig will host the CARA booth featuring rescued pets that are ready for adoption tomorrow, Oct. 23 from 4 to 9 p.m.

For more information, you can either email cara.adoption@gmail.com or call 0915-8405535. You may also want to visit www.caraphil.org.

Image taken from filstar.com.ph

Christmas is just around the corner. Well in our country, the anticipation starts on the first day of the Ber months.

Just in case you're thinking of a good gift to your love ones, why not consider sending those faraway home with a greeting card. Sure, sending snail mails or post card maybe a thing of a past for some people but many still appreciates receiving cards from love ones because you know that that person who sent that letter pour in his/ her heart out in writing a massage for you. I know because I have worked for two years as an OFW.

Then I read this item from www.filstar.com:

With compassion and hope as its prime driving force, Filstar has teamed up with the Leukemic Indigents Fund Endowment (l.i.f.e.) Foundation to create the charitable venture, Hallmark for l.i.f.e. Since its inception in 1995, Hallmark for l.i.f.e. has brought about the creation of a support system that raised public awareness and generated funds for young leukemic indigents through the sale of specially crafted Christmas cards.

Now on its 15th year, Hallmark for l.i.f.e. renews its commitment to these children whose tomorrows deserve a second chance. The 2010 collection of Hallmark for l.i.f.e. reflects the grandeur and sincerity of the Filipino celebration of Christmas. What has made this collection even more special are the local painters, photographers and art collectors who came together and wholeheartedly contributed their works to this noble cause.

Hallmark for l.i.f.e. Year 15 Collection features the masterpieces of famed artist Manuel Baldemor, Nani Reyes, Jovito Andres, Bernardo Maac, Dr Dan Lerma, Mamerto Ronan Yñigo, Dante Hipolito, Vincent “Bing” Reyes, Ysa Gernale, Charlie Val and Francis Nacion.

Christmas is a perfect time for people to strengthen the bonds with their fellowmen. Hallmark provides an opportunity to achieve that and even more. Through Hallmark for l.i.f.e., anyone can bring happiness, inspire hope and save lives with just a greeting card.

Hallmark cards are available in leading bookstores nationwide.

“There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.”  This Chinese proverb perfectly defines how unconditional mother's love is

It's nice to hear that SM Department Store and ABS-CBN Publishing joined forces in coming up Special Moments bookazine, a compilation of photographs and articles showing the tender and joyful moments between mothers and their children.

Special Moments is a partnership between the two companies that highlights the beautiful time in Mom’s life when she is with her little ones. Featured in the pages of the bookazine are different families that willingly gave their time, talents and energy to share their little yet meaningful experiences.

Making their participation more special is that they also get to support the beneficiaries of this project — the kids of Bantay Bata 163, ABS-CBN Foundation advocacy arm focused on protecting the rights and ensuring the bright future of children. 

The next time you drop by an SM Mall, why not check thic bookzine for a cause which will help a lot of child in need.

As a member of the Aklan Socio-Civic Association (ASCA), I am on the look for any worthy project that we can conduct notr only in the province but also for other areas as well.

While searching onlinbe, I was routed to the official website of Global Volunteer Network who actually has an open call for individual and/ or group volunteers

Here's some info I got from the said website...

Volunteering Projects in Philippines. Join programs in teaching, health, environment, school building and maintenance, and cultural exchange, centered in Manila and in the Romblon province. You can choose from the following programs where you want to engage into:

Children's Program
School Building and Maintenance Program
Environment Program
Teaching Program
Health Program

Interested parties just need to fill-out a form posted in the website and a representative from the group will contact you.

In the Philippines, 60,000 to 100,000 children are trafficked annually (through both cross-border & internal trafficking), and most of these girls are to be sexually exploited.

The Philippines also ranks fourth in the world in terms of countries with the highest number of prostituted children.

Inspired by our founder Anita Roddick and her commitment and passion for justice, The Body Shop is proud to continue her fight against human trafficking, bringing awareness of this modern-day slave trade to world leaders and the global community.

To sign up to this worthwhile campaign to stop sex trafficking, just click HERE.