It has been several months since I have written anything meaningful. Perhaps it is my lethargy at being in such a beautiful land with a group of fine children. Maybe it is living in a two bedroom, four room house and am unable to collect my thoughts due to overactive young ones (and their friends) skittering about. In any event, I have written short segments for insertion into my blog, but for one reason or another, I have never completed the stories begun. That is the problem with living where I do. The lifestyle and culture becomes addictive. In essence, I have become addicted to the Phillipine way of life. Have I gone native….no, but have I adopted some of their habits, oh yes!
Still, I know this is that time of the year to relate the good fortune we have all received and in the Philippines it always seems to be few and far between. In my view, good fortune is not in necessarily in receiving, but I equate it to helping to relieve others the burden of surviving in a very inhumane environment. It is to that end that I was blessed with the abilities to help a smattering of the millions struggling to feed their families.
All year I had received clothing, shoes, dolls, and toys from my wife, Donarae, along with friends, Melanie Berte-Hickey, and Lorene Glant. I had stored all the items in a box and as Christmas approached this month, like Old Santa with his bag, I transferred goods from the box to plastic bags and (with the kids and their mother in tow) was on my way.
In the Philippines it isn’t hard to find those families experiencing rough times. People will venture in from the 
mountains with their primitive musical instruments to sing Christmas Carols and supplement their already meager income. One day, a woman (with babe in arms) along with her two young siblings came to my house and started to sing. We invited the young family inside, provided her and the children with a festive meal, gave them clothing and candy….along with a few pesos. She offered to do the dishes, but we told her it wasn’t necessary. She and the siblings were so thin, it would have been criminal to deny them some relief from their unending plight.
mountains with their primitive musical instruments to sing Christmas Carols and supplement their already meager income. One day, a woman (with babe in arms) along with her two young siblings came to my house and started to sing. We invited the young family inside, provided her and the children with a festive meal, gave them clothing and candy….along with a few pesos. She offered to do the dishes, but we told her it wasn’t necessary. She and the siblings were so thin, it would have been criminal to deny them some relief from their unending plight.
On December 13, Charissa Mae’s Kindergarten Class had a Christmas Party. Presents were collected to give to needy families within Himamaylan City. For that event, I had collected cans of sardines, packages of pancit (spicy form of dried noodles), ten kilos of rice and then brought along shoes, dolls, clothing, and lots of tootsie rolls. I will be the first to admit that others provided rice and wrapped packages, but it seemed we had the clothing, doll, and footwear department plus a monopoly on tootsie rolls.
Many of the children were brought to the function by their mothers or grandmothers and were dressed as 
nicely as they could be for the function, but you could still see that their diet was inadequate and for many of the younger children, they did not have a real clue as to what was transpiring. Although the girls were shy when receiving their dolls, they held onto them all the same. The unfortunate aspect of the doll giving was the number of mothers/grandmothers who asked if we had any more to hand out, but had to confess we brought all we had…which seemed to never be enough. The shoes were greatly prized by the parents of those young children and if the shoes given didn’t fit, akin to a Cinderella Fantasy, they were passed around until the right feet were found. It filled my heart with joy and a lump seemingly swelled within my throat as the youngsters stood upon the stage with their presents. Gifts that they (as well as most Filipino children) would not have gotten otherwise.
nicely as they could be for the function, but you could still see that their diet was inadequate and for many of the younger children, they did not have a real clue as to what was transpiring. Although the girls were shy when receiving their dolls, they held onto them all the same. The unfortunate aspect of the doll giving was the number of mothers/grandmothers who asked if we had any more to hand out, but had to confess we brought all we had…which seemed to never be enough. The shoes were greatly prized by the parents of those young children and if the shoes given didn’t fit, akin to a Cinderella Fantasy, they were passed around until the right feet were found. It filled my heart with joy and a lump seemingly swelled within my throat as the youngsters stood upon the stage with their presents. Gifts that they (as well as most Filipino children) would not have gotten otherwise.
In much of the modern World, we take the holidays (as well as birthdays) for granted. We all expect our presents with those celebrations, but in the Philippines (as with much of the third World countries), most 
children have no idea as to what a birthday or Christmas present is. Abject poverty clearly defines ones reality. And, it is even harder to pull one’s self out of that continuing cycle.
children have no idea as to what a birthday or Christmas present is. Abject poverty clearly defines ones reality. And, it is even harder to pull one’s self out of that continuing cycle.
The past couple of days we walked the roads past the squatter huts and passed out candy and clothes. For the most part, the children were hesitant at taking the tootsie rolls, but others huddled around the candy givers like piranha devouring a fresh carcass. We had mostly adult clothing this trip and were easily able to find worthy recipients of my benefactors good will. The highlight of the day was when we supplied candy and clothing to three generations of laborers in a sugar cane field. It truly saddened my heart at watching young children doing hard labor alongside their mother and grandmother. Yet, at the same time, it was filled with joy as Santiago passed out the candy first and then the clothing to those surprised, yet grateful, recipients.
As we finished our rectangular path back home, I almost felt like a Santa as the candy sacks had run dry and clothing been exhausted. I truly wish that I could do that every day somewhere in my area, but I just don’t have the resources and material to accomplish that task. However, I do know that my family was able to help so many others enjoy the season a little more through the generosity of those in the states who made this all possible.
As Christmas Day approaches, take some time to think of all the good things you experienced or 
accomplished this past year. For many of us, it is so easy to get bogged down by dwelling on the misfortunes we experienced. Still, try to take some time to ponder, to savor, and fill your heart with warmth of the good events of this past year. No matter what some may think, we all have good moments….even if they are fleeting or illusive at times.
accomplished this past year. For many of us, it is so easy to get bogged down by dwelling on the misfortunes we experienced. Still, try to take some time to ponder, to savor, and fill your heart with warmth of the good events of this past year. No matter what some may think, we all have good moments….even if they are fleeting or illusive at times.
For me, it is just the knowledge that I have a great family on both sides of this living globe and the many friends who take the time to read my blogs and communicate with me.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE TROPICS OF THE PHILIPPINES TO MY FRIENDS, RELATIVES, AND FAMILY AROUND THE WORLD
Daryl Cleveland
12/25/2012
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