Cotollengo Filipino

A Meaningful Birthday Celebration among children and young adults with special needs

Gloria vista subdivision, Brgy San Rafael, Rodriguez(Montalban), Rizal 1860, Philippines 

Sometime in April 2017, I saw a documentary of Pinky Web on TV about Cotollengo Filipino, this caught my interest since the children are all with disability so this could be a possible candidate for our outreach program which is already running on it’s 3^rd year however my concern was the distance to Rizal province, the location of the orphanage, from Pasay where I live.

When my husband (Hoberto S. Fernandez) died on August 09, 2017, I was not at all in my best emotional capacity to organize an outreach for my 53rd birthday on Sept 15, normally preparation such as looking for supporters, raising funds, coordinating with the orphanage, shopping for the needs of the beneficiaries took about one to two months. But by God's grace even though the preparations went in 3 weeks, we were able to raise more than what I originally budgeted, actual funds double the target.

Truly God takes care of the widows and He gave me generous relatives and friends to sponsor the outreach.

This is the fund raising message sent to the supporters.

Dear Classmates, Friends & Relatives,

We will be having an outreach program at the Cottolengo Filipino, an orphanage for the physically and mentally disable boys on September 24, 2017 from 2pm to 5pm in Rodriguez Rizal. There are 39 orphans (ages 5 to 29) who will have very little or no chances at all to be adopted by foster parents. The orphanage needs supplies such as toiletries (bath soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, baby wipes/wet ones, adult diapers (medium & XL), laundry powder and food such as biscuits (not sweetened), canned goods and rice. Candies, chocolates, chips & sweet snacks are being discouraged. Whatever your heart desires to give will be highly appreciated but cash is the best option so we can appropriate accordingly. Thanks and God bless.

We were able to borrow a van from our church Pasay City Alliance Church while my brother ( Ricky V. Magrata) drove all the way from Olongapo with his wife ( Ate Tess) and daughter (Ruff) to do the shopping for the bulky items such as sacks of rice and diapers, baby wipes & alcohol from Bambang Manila.

Friends from Duty Free Phils came from Cavite also joined us while church mates from Pasay City Alliance Church and co workers from SM Cubao completed the team.

We almost got lost in Marikina but thanks to the offline map of our driver Toto, we easily found our way to the subdivision.

I was expecting that the boys of Cottolengo will be fragile and had to be escorted by staff or caregivers every time they move around, to my surprised, one boy was already waiting at the main entrance and when I asked him where can i find Ms. Von, he directed me to the office.

When we were unloading the supplies we brought, he and another boy started carrying the packages and arranged them on the push cart I found along the hallway. Both of them pushed the loaded cart about 50 kilos going to the area. When the boxes have to be unloaded, they carried the box to the top of the table, really strong boys.

There were already a couple of boys in the venue at the sound system, there is a small CD player, Joey appears to be the technician, since he was the one operating the sound system. One by one boys in wheel chair were arriving being pushed by their caretakers. As previously informed by the secretary, Ms. Von, there are 10 able boys while the rest are in wheel chair.

A couple of able boys helped in the balloon making.

We wanted to conduct activities that will be suited for all of them but as per Ms. Von there will only be 10 boys that can play with us or join the activities while the rest will just be happy seeing, knowing that there are visitors.

 Ate Ruby led the opening prayer while Kuya Milo hosted the activity, when he asked them to dance, all the able boys grooved to the dance floor.

When Kuya Milo asked for a singer, one by one six (6) boys volunteered to sing, surprisingly again, they have their own piece of song, the technician also knew already what song to play. Some of them were just humming while others have some recognizable words but there is also Josen who can audibly sing and have better voice than me.

My sister in law shared her thoughts on the experiences we had...

ang isa kong nasabi at naisip while we were there?  Sino ba talaga ang mas mapalad sa atin sila na walang maintindihan halos sa mundo o tayo na lahat ay iniintindi

...hesitant, scared that his looks will haunt me,  seeing that one,  that didn't  develop his fingers, both hands and feet,   plus his distinctive eyes.  But more than what my eyes see, I  start to see him from my heart.  I'd like to let him feel he's loved, he is normal and very special. His effort to do things like pumping balloons, tying it which is very difficult  for him since wala syang fingers for support yet he tried doing it over and over, with joy excitement, and the pride once it take form,  from a little flat balloon.   His joy that is so innocent, that made him kiss the balloon for a lot of times, brings the pain and unexplained joy to me I believe to us. I had been thankful for my life, so much so that I began to be more grateful with what the Lord has given me/us.

one thing that I appreciate so much in that place o wow ang galing, ung mga walang kapansanan, ang hirap turuan but them, I am so blessed with how they were raised up, I  felt the love and their concern for all those unwanted on our outside world, they knew WHEN to eat HOW to eat and WHAT to eat and  do after  and WHERE  to place after eating their plates, glass and spoon and the WHY not to eat more after what is served. I guess the secret for that because all those staff in cottolengo made them secured and loved as if they were not that so called special. Going there was never a waste of time it's worth it na tayo pa  ang makabog nila...

Meet my photographer, this guy is ecstatic every time he will be able to take photos from our cell phones, he would be grinning happily, almost jumping for joy and giggling once he gives you back your phone after taking his shot. So before we left I asked to him to take my pictures. His hands were shaking but he knows when he cannot see images from the phone so he'll give it back to you to fix it.