Before I took off for the Philippines this year, I searched online
for stuff in Manila. Specifically, I
searched for anything near the BILEG Center, where Raqueline Henley lives and works most of the year. BILEG is a building in Manila that houses visitors from the Ilocos Sur
region (northern P.I.). The center is
funded by Sir Chavit Singson, the former governor of Ilocos Sur, and it sits in the San Andres neighborhood (bukid). I was
searching for “San Andres” on YouTube when I found a guy who had something to
say about the bukid.
The guy’s name is Drew Binsky. He’s a guy that travels the world
and uploads YouTube videos. He gets paid for this. That’s a
career, I guess. I’m cool with that.
The video shows Drew working with a guy in Manila to
feed a bunch of children that live on the street. It also shows “the tunnel.” Painful and powerful...
The guy Drew worked with is named Edwin. Edwin Pamaniän. I hunted him up on Facebook. We connected, and I got to meet him the morning after I arrived in Manila. He founded True Manila. It’s an area, an attitude, and a charity—all in
one. Edwin lives in the neighborhood, on
the main street in the area. There’s a big
open-air market across the street, and also many winding alleyways...all surrounded
by dilapidated 4-story buildings and thousands
of people living in this very small area.
It's a very poor neighborhood, filled with cool people and things. Children live on the street there. Still, it felt safe. It is amazing how he can feed 40-50 children for about $6.00! Ms. Raqueline & I helped them a little that morning. If you want to see it:
I'm the one with the "frosted" hair (took me YEARS to get that perfect). I'm standing next to a BEAUTIFUL woman. Edwin posts similar videos every day on his Facebook page. It's a pretty amazing scene, and it happens every day!
Edwin is not your typical "slum dweller." He’s a successful actor. You can see his IMDb profile here. Right now, in fact, he is portraying a character named Hunyango on AngProbinsyano. A.P. is a nightly show on ABS-CBN, the largest television network in the Philippines. It was interesting to see Raq’s family react to having him at the BILEG Center for her birthday party. You could tell: he really is a celebrity.
I’m going to ask for help today—for
these children. Helping True Manila is
the one Christmas present I will ask for.
I suck at asking for help--how often do I ask?--but this setup compels me to ask. Celebrities don’t have to live in San Andres. That’s what Makati is supposed to be for. Makati, with the Dean & Deluca, Trump Tower, and $15USD cocktails. Nope, Edwin lives in a poor part…of a poor neighborhood…in a poor city…in a poor nation. He lives his values. It’s impressive.
I'm the one with the "frosted" hair (took me YEARS to get that perfect). I'm standing next to a BEAUTIFUL woman. Edwin posts similar videos every day on his Facebook page. It's a pretty amazing scene, and it happens every day!
Edwin is not your typical "slum dweller." He’s a successful actor. You can see his IMDb profile here. Right now, in fact, he is portraying a character named Hunyango on AngProbinsyano. A.P. is a nightly show on ABS-CBN, the largest television network in the Philippines. It was interesting to see Raq’s family react to having him at the BILEG Center for her birthday party. You could tell: he really is a celebrity.
I’m going to ask for help today—for
these children. Helping True Manila is
the one Christmas present I will ask for.
And I'm asking.
I suck at asking for help--how often do I ask?--but this setup compels me to ask. Celebrities don’t have to live in San Andres. That’s what Makati is supposed to be for. Makati, with the Dean & Deluca, Trump Tower, and $15USD cocktails. Nope, Edwin lives in a poor part…of a poor neighborhood…in a poor city…in a poor nation. He lives his values. It’s impressive.
The kids need the help. Edwin deserves the support.
There’s an added bonus to Edwin’s work, too. If you donate to his cause, you get named in
a video. In that video, you actually see
your donation entering the mouths of Manila’s street children. Life gives you few opportunities like this
one. It’s special enough...that I’m asking
you for help. Send $5, $2, whatever. The first time you send is fee-free. Every dime will go to the kids. Amazing... Help this guy. Help these kids. In the process, you’ll see how it helps you!
Hit this link.
Feed some street children in Manila...
...and Merry Christmas, Y'all!
Have yourself a merry merry Christmas
Have yourself a good time
But remember the kids who got nothin'
While you're drinkin' down your wine
--Ray Davies (The Kinks)
Feed some street children in Manila...
...and Merry Christmas, Y'all!
Have yourself a merry merry Christmas
Have yourself a good time
But remember the kids who got nothin'
While you're drinkin' down your wine
--Ray Davies (The Kinks)
