Entries on Happiness by UA&P students

One Rainy Night, Surrounded by 20 Policemen

I was on the road with my dad one rainy night when he turned down the volume of the car radio, turned to me and asked, "Do you hear that?" I listened in an attempt to hear something. "Hear what?”, I asked back.

So there was silence. And this time I looked at him inquisitively and found myself asking him the same question, "Dad, did you hear that?”.

We pulled back at a police station as we went down the car to look around the engine. There was hesitation all over my dad's face and I tried to keep my distance from the hood of the car as well. We did not mean to park outside a police station, just that at that moment, it seemed to be the best spot to satisfy my dad's and my own curiosity.

Soon, policemen started to go out their post to ask if there was any problem. We explained and yes, they did hear sounds too. We have confirmed. A kitten was stuck in the car's engine. I fear that the helpless little kitten which was supposed to be cute and all that would be covered in blood, gore and bruises. The thought of it made me keep my distance from the hood of the car.

We spent the next several minutes trying to figure out how to get the kitten out of the engine. It must have crawled up and found refuge in the parked car. It was intriguing to find out that the kitten was not harmed at all by all the driving before his soft whimpers were not thought of as a figment of imagination anymore.

Next thing I know, my dad and I were surrounded by twenty or so policemen already. After several attempts with different tactics and even “tools”, one of the policemen finally was able to get the kitten out of the car engine. I never thought a small kitten would command almost a troop of men with guns to save his life. I found that night to be so amusing. The kitten getting stuck in the engine, unharmed, as we drove and the thought of strangers stopping whatever they were doing to help you. I never thought I could ever use kitten(s) and policemen in one sentence. It was a happy ending.

- Kristen Morados, UA&P student

I Share Happiness

1 Message Received

It was a very tiring day. Being a student, having a full day is to be expected. But it was an exceptionally-tiring day, wherein you crave for emotional release and mental relaxation, aside from a moment of rest from your aching muscles after having to lug around pounds of paperwork and reading materials. One of those days when the skies seem to be a lot darker than you hoped, and when the sun seems to play an unwanted game of hide-and-seek. And worse, it was one of those days when everyone else had gone home much earlier than you—just when you needed to have a little chit-chat with your friends.

With friends having left hours ago, sleep became the next best option. The much-wanted rest was but two hours away; two hours of commuting and I can finally rest and prepare for another busy day. And as I was in the middle of thinking of what kind of food would best replenish my energy, my phone suddenly beeped. It was a text message from my friend— a random quote:

3 reasons why laughing is good for your health:

1. Your heart: laughing lowers you blood pressure while increasing the amount of oxygen carried in your blood.

2. Your lungs: a deep belly laugh is like an internal aerobic workout, helping you breathe more efficiently.

3. Your anxiety level: laughing lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol, reducing tension.

…so take time to laugh even with the corniest jokes! Have a nice day! Ü

What an interesting message, though at the back of my mind I wondered if it really was really true. After all, there are so many ways to make trivia sound factual when it really isn’t… and so went my line of thinking until I fell asleep on the shuttle I usually take going home.

Next thing I knew, I woke up to find that the shuttle was almost on its way back to Makati, and that I was about three stops away from where I was supposed to go down the shuttle. In a sudden rush of panic, I told the driver to stop at the side. Perhaps to ease the panic, he made light of the situation and said that it was a good thing that I woke up just in time. I could only smile, as I was trying to think of an alternate route and hoping that there would be a willing tricycle driver to take me to my home.

Waiting for a tricycle to come by, I remembered the quote sent by my friend. This moment seemed to be the cherry on top of ice cream—not finding friends when you need them, being exhausted and being delayed from getting home, and now having to think of a new route because I had overslept (I wasn’t supposed to fall asleep in the first place!)

Breaking my train of thought, I suddenly heard the conversation from a sidewalk vendor’s radio. It was a knock-knock joke. A corny one, a very corny one. It was so corny that I could only raise my brow after hearing it.

But it completely caught the vendor’s amusement—hook, line and sinker, if the phrase be applicable to this situation. And if you could see how that vendor laughed—it was like the best thing she had heard all day! Looking at how she carried herself so simply, and how aside from her goods she only had this radio for company at that tricycle stop, it was amazing how she could smile and laugh so generously, not to mention at such a joke.

And yet, I found myself smiling, and then breaking into a laugh at the sight of her laughing. All the frustration of the moment seemed so trivial that I wondered why I had been so caught up in it. The vendor thought that I had taken some amusement in the joke, and gave me that smile along with a repetition of the punch line and she laughed again. I laughed along with her, this time not even thinking about how corny the joke really was.

The quote was at least right about something—laughing really takes a lot of pains away; and it’s even better when you’re sharing that laughter with someone. Before I knew it, a tricycle driver had made his way to the stop and I could finally continue my journey home. The chance to finally rest was a few minutes away, but apparently those few minutes of infectious laughter gave an unexplainable feeling of happiness—and unexpected rest that took the day’s fatigue away.

- Ria Cayton, UA&P student
Featured Guest Blogger

What Made Me Smile Today?

Due to many sleepless nights of studying, I’ve become very hard to please and irritable these days. Sleep of not more than five hours a day, it has been difficult for me to smile each morning. Deprived of sleep, my gloomy face is bound to get even “gloomier” when I have to commute. Waiting for an FX (a form of public transportation) in the morning is a struggle especially when there are ten more other commuters who are running late.

Today, I was feeling stressed more than ever. How I will manage my time next week with three exams and a presentation was a question that was bothering me. As I stood where I had to wait for an FX, which felt like hours, the hot and humid weather just added to my uneasiness. Finally, an FX arrived but it only had two empty seats. Two guys were beside me and as expected, the guy opened the door and quickly sat inside. To my disbelief, the other guy remained where he stood, looked at me and offered the last seat to me. I was surprised and at the same time hesitant because I knew all of us was in a rush to go to work (or in my case, to school). I looked back at him with a surprised expression as he just smiled and insisted that I go ahead. I smiled and was probably overwhelmed that I wasn’t able to utter the words “thank you.”

Whenever I remember that simple act of kindness, it always makes me smile. I know for a fact that there is a slim chance that I see that gentleman again but the least thing I could do is to also share kindness by helping someone or even by simply smiling. Today, I tried to share my smiles with my classmates who are also tired and stressed like me. Hopefully, I could share my smiles everyday and be able to cheer someone up.

- MM Donato, UA&P

The Vigan Christmas

I am spending the holidays in my hometown, Vigan, just like every single year. I like it here for several reasons. For one, it’s the place where I grew up and reminiscing my childhood is always a fun thing to do. Second, I get to spend more time playing tennis since I don’t spend a cent on court rentals and ball boys (my parents pay for it). Third, I get to spend more time with my family and relatives. Christmas is the time of the year when all my relatives go home to Vigan and spend holidays together as a family. It’s also the time when spending and receiving a lot is quite acceptable. This is my kind of Christmas.

My grandmother has a different view of Christmas or, better yet, a different view in life. My grandmother spent her life by being a mother, a wife, and a grandmother to her family. More interestingly, her way of life has been an epitome of the beatitudes of mother Theresa. Aside from the fact that she attends mass everyday and prays the rosary more than once a day, she also takes charity to another level. She visits the prisoners to talk to them and help them to change their wrong doings. Sometimes, she spends her birthday with the prisoners. To top that off, she also cares for the sick she barely knows. Every afternoon she asks her driver to bring her in remote places where people with terminal diseases live. She converses with them as a friend, even as a family member. She hires house helpers not because she needs them but she wants to help them by giving employment and sponsored education.

I asked her a few weeks ago “Lola (grandma), how will you celebrate Christmas this year?” She said, “I will celebrate it like any other day only remembering the Christ’s birth.”

I know Christmas could feel different to different people but I did not realize how extremely different lives can be lived. If an 85-year-old woman can share her happiness to the less fortunate people, negligent to her brittle bones and weakening muscles; how much more for strong and healthy teenagers like us? We can do so much and we can start small. Share happiness.

- MM Donato, UA&P student

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Experiences of UA&P students

Forgive and Forget

I have a classmate who put our friendship to the test. She was my group mate in a class project where we had to edit a documentary on Star Wars. With three hours left before the deadline, she fiddled with some buttons to save our work. Unfortunately, the software we used for editing crashed. When I restarted the program, it turned out that she saved the botched video over the final one! With three ours to go, I had to cram twelve hours of editing into just three hours and submit it! I threw my fists at the wall along a bunch of curses. I didn’t submit it on time. Luckily, our teacher gave us an extension. So, we spent an extra night fixing the documentary. In the end, my group had the highest grade for that project!

I don’t remember what buttons she pressed. But I do remember how I was able to cram the video in three hours! I don’t feel the angst anymore. I still feel euphoric though whenever I remember how I got the highest score for that almost disaster project. I learned from my misfortune by recalling how I dealt with it. I’m still friends with my group mate and learned to move forward by choosing to dwell on the positive things.

I find this essential to finding happiness. To forgive and forget is a gift. It’s a gift because we are all capable of forgetting the details of how we suffered from our past troubles. It’s a gift because it eases our pain when we vaguely remember that event. It’s a gift because it feels much better to remember how we triumphed from our ordeals. And more than anything, it rewards you with peace of minds.

-Sean General, UA&P student

My Love for Surprises

I love surprises and I love surprising people. Birthdays are one of the most celebrated days in a year. And a lot of surprises happen during birthdays. Just last year, I planned a surprise birthday gift for a special friend of mine. Along with Mae, a close friend from school, we planned the birthday surprise for almost a month. We would even talk about the plan secretly during class hours. We were so excited and confident that we would be able to pull it off even though my friend was the type who hardly gets surprised.

After one month of planning, the day had finally arrived. After class, we went to the mall to buy the stuff needed for the surprise and to buy our gift; then went straight to Manila to fetch my friend. She had no idea that we had planned something for her since her birthday had passed and I told her that we were just having a sleep over at Mae’s house for some project. After dinner, my friend was told that I needed my phone that I left downstairs. Moments later, my friend went upstairs unsuspectingly with my phone.

As she opened the door to Mae’s room, I saw the surprise look that I was hoping for. It was a success. The lights were off and the only thing that lighted the room were the candles from the cake I held. The room was also filled with candles that made a pathway towards the end of the room. My favorite music (Cannon) was playing, a happy birthday banner was placed, balloons were scattered all over the room and there was our birthday cake. It was so beautiful.

I was really happy that we were able to make it happen since it was the first surprise party I have planned. It was also the first surprise that she had because whenever her friends or family were planning a surprise for her, she would easily discover about it even before the surprise happened. The night of our “first surprises” ended with us drinking and just having fun.

It has always been a very good feeling to make someone high in spirits especially on their birthdays. Surprises are very effective ways of making someone happy. The planning may take a lot of time and effort but once it is done, the memories of the happy moments would be so great so as to never be forgotten. The happiness would forever stay with you.

-Mady Asis, UA&P student

A Christmas Carol

This Christmas there was a lot to be thankful for. I'm one of eight children and the eldest. We're not well off, we're not very very poor but we get by. We have each other. This Christmas taught me that. This year has been particularly hard and there was just too much to think about to think of charity.

In all honesty charity should start at home. I would think to myself, "Our family needs so much, How could we spare for anyone else?". I was thinking like Ebanizer Screwge from Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol". Before Christmas all I thought of was "I" and "Me". Well, this year my "Christmas Carol" went to my sister, Dalisay. She got sick with Dengue fever just before Christmas and it got so bad that we thought that we would lose her because we had a hard time finding the blood she needed to bring up her platelet count. Never in my life was I was so worried. We gave up a lot of things to get the blood but I would have given up everything if that was the cost to get her better. It was no longer about "me" instead it was "we" which was what made this year's Christmas so grand. Dalisay got better after the blood transfusion and we had each other, we were all together.

This was the season of giving and charity, and charity within one's own family reflects the character of it's members. I thank God everyday for giving me my family and giving me that kind of life to grow up with. Charity can truly be given once one has experienced what it means to receive so much. Happy Holidays to everyone! Cheers to a true season of giving!

-Marikit Palabyab, UA&P student


The Most Fulfilling Gift

Merry Christmas!
What’s in your wish list this year? A new car, new clothes, or a new laptop?
I’m sure we all will try to be happy during the holidays. I would.

People have this notion that happiness is drawn from our external reality: the things we buy and the places we visit. Some people say that having something would make them happy.

During my sophomore year in high school, I had the latest cell phone at that time. I was proud to own an 8-bit cell phone that had animation. However, this happiness was short lived. It became obsolete in the next six months. My happiness disappeared that same period.

I’m also proud to say that I’m well traveled. I’ve been to five continents in the past seven years. Yet, I’ve only visited most of those places no more than once. I couldn’t bring back Egypt back to my place. I couldn’t bring back the Golden Gate Bridge. All I could bring back are the memories of these places. These memories manifest in souvenirs and photos and they remind me of the happiness during that time.

However, I discovered that there is a better kind of happiness in this world. Like the previous kind of happiness mentioned, the natural high is still present. The difference lies in its long-term effect: It builds character. It’s not found in the people we see, the places we visit, and the things we buy. Rather, it is found in the actions that we do for other people.

When I was a sophomore in high school, my school required me to help in a center for street children every week for a period of three months. This center wanted to keep children off the streets. I was tasked to teach English and Math to two boys. One kid was six years old, and the other was ten. To my surprise, the younger one did not know the alphabet. I bought an alphabet book and brought it to the center every week. I was determined to help this child catch up on three years worth of English. I was tutoring him on spelling and simple grammar on the third month. Coincidentally, that third month fell on the Christmas season. On the last day of tutoring, I saved a large pack of Oreos and Chips Ahoy! The Oreos were for my siblings while I planned to give my Chips Ahoy! to the boys (my tutees).

When I gave the boys a break and offered them my Chips Ahoy!, the older one got the entire pack and ran off to finish it, leaving the younger one with nothing. What could I do? He was just a kid, and I was in no position to scold him. Seeing the younger one disappointed, my lungs felt heavy and my body seemed sluggish. So, I brought the boy just outside the center and he followed me to my car where my driver was waiting. I planned to give him only half of my Oreos until I stared down at his eyes. They were puppy eyes. They were waiting for something good to come out of the trunk. I saved two days of allowance for those cookies! I sighed and gave him the whole pack. His eyes lit up and he gave me a huge genuine smile. “Salamat, kuya,” (Thank you big brother!) the six year old cried. He hugged the pack as he walked back into the center. “Bye, bye,” the boy said, as he waved his small arm. I waved back and smiled. “Merry Christmas!” I said, as my hormones triggered euphoria in my brain.

My head was above the clouds; it was as if I could see the world from up there. I felt proud; it was as if I owned a cellphone that constantly upgrades itself. Never have I experienced that kind of happiness before. There was nothing more pleasing than to see that genuine smile from that boy. Finally, I was happy from within.

Years pass. I have never seen him again. I still remember his name though. That boy must be a teenager by now. I still sometimes have that “natural high” not because I taught him how to read and write. No, it’s not because I gave him cookies at the end of the program. Those are only part of it. I still get that feeling because I know I was able to change someone’s life for good, even for a brief moment. This is the most fulfilling gift that anyone can give: to change a life for the good. So, what will you give others this Christmas?

-Sean G., UAP Student


Happiness in the Most Unexpected Place

My driver has been working for my family for twelve years. He has been with my family since I was in fifth grade and so he has grown to be one of my closest friends, and has been my confidante. Though he is not well off, I admire him for his commitment, and insights in life. After all, money does not measure a man’s character.

A few months ago, my driver’s daughter, who’s as old as me, gave birth to a baby girl. I became a godfather to his granddaughter and the baptism was held last December 16.

I was shocked for several reasons. First, this is the first time I was ever asked to be a godfather. Second, I never participated in a baptism. Third, I’m twenty-two. Fourth, even though I’m friends with his daughter, the last time I saw his daughter was five years ago. Last, some people’s standards consider mingling with people of lower socio-economic class taboo.

These made me joyful, excited anxious, and scared. I was joyful because his granddaughter was going to enter the Catholic Faith. I was excited because I was going to be a godfather. I was anxious because I didn’t know what to expect, once I participate in the sacrament. I was scared because I didn’t know what my mom would say.

I happily accepted his invitation. But I didn’t know if my parents would be as happy as I was. So, I told them that my driver invited me to be a godfather to his granddaughter over dinner. As expected, my mom irked. Then my dad said, “It’s an honor!” My parents discussed, and they agreed with my decision. My fear was extinguished.

December 16 came sooner than expected. Anxiety never left my side. I drove to the rendezvous and met up with my driver and one of her younger daughters who used to visit my house every Saturday. My driver had to fetch something so her daughter was the one who showed me the way to the event. On the way, I realized that she stopped visiting my family and so out of curiosity, I asked how she was. The conversation was filled by awkward gaps of silence. It’s been a long time since I saw her.

She took me to a house, where her older sister was preparing the child to be baptized for the baptism. My driver brought her daughter, his son-in-law, the other godfathers, and me to the Church. We arrived on time, but the ceremonies did not start immediately so I killed time by conversing with my driver’s daughter. She expressed her feelings towards her new situation: motherhood. “You know, it’s true… It’s hard to be a mother and at the same time a student after all. Before, I used to go wherever I wanted. Now, I can’t because I have a new duty to attend to.” Half an hour later, I realized that my anxiety had taken a break. That’s because I didn’t perceive her to be a person from another world anymore, but as a friend. When the priest’s assistant arrived, I listened carefully to instructions because I didn’t want to look stupid (it’s my first time). Glad, I didn’t look stupid.

After the baptism, we went back to where I was taken earlier. As I entered the area, I saw a familiar face. He was sitting on a chair with a shot of Emperador in hand. “Do you still remember me?” he asked. “Mang Rudy!” I replied. Mang Rudy, my driver’s brother, was my family’s gardener. My driver brought me to the buffet table and I ate my lunch. After eating, I went to my driver’s table and they were already drinking. “I was surprised that you came,” Mang Rudy said. “Only a few people like you, take the time to listen to us;” he was referring to our social class. “We like to sing along the karaoke all day. We like to find the simple joys of life, even when we have little income.” While he was saying that, a friend of my driver shook my hand. “I’m happy that you came. You’re very presence makes me happy.” He told me that my driver has been telling his friends about me. I was happy to find out that my driver is very proud of me. After a night of drinking, my driver would sober up to bring me to school on the following day. I was touched. Money does not measure a man’s character.

That night, I went home with new insights from my experience. You can never have too many friends. I made new friends in an unexpected place: in a small house of a less fortunate family in Muntinlupa. Indeed, the very presence is enough to keep your friends happy. I surprised Mang Rudy and made an acquaintance happy. We all love to share stories, but small things can do wonders for any friendship. Without listening to these people’s stories, I wouldn’t have been able to write a story on something that has touched me in many ways. We must keep in mind that sharing happiness is for everyone.

-Sean G., UA&P Student

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Reflections of UA&P Students

Kinilig ka na ba?

Someone once asked me, “What is the direct English translation of kilig?” I had to take a long pause and try to rummage my head with a good answer. The best I could come up with was “giggle”, and as far as we all know, giggle is more of a chuckle. Not even close to the idea of “kinikilig”.

What does “kilig” mean? It’s definitely linked with the feeling of romance. However, “kilig” in another form would also actually mean that gush of sheer bliss brought about by certain moments. When someone tells you “Dapat may kilig-factor!” (There should be that factor of “kilig”), you get the impression that “kilig” is something that makes a person smile, get excited, or at the very least, interested. It’s a positive feeling related to giddiness as we often hear it from girls crying “Kinikilig ako!” (I am “kilig”).

Whether the cause be a crush who happened to pass by and ask “Hey, how are you doing?”, or a short phone call from your girlfriend who whispered “Love you”, the recipient oftentimes confesses that feeling of “kilig”.

Going by the idea that “kilig” is not only limited to the prowess of romance, it would entail that a person could get the “kilig-feeling” under other circumstances. Perhaps, unfortunately, only in rare occasions would anyone use the term “kinikilig” if it were not because of a special someone. For instance, in Bigkas, an organization I work with that aims to help children read and write, did I meet a couple of students who showed the telltale signs of “kinikilig” where they get excited at every successful day with the children, defined by full interaction and participation from each tutee.

That kind of achievement for them could already make them feel “kilig”.

When meeting a deadline for a group project and suddenly, everything is falling into its proper place and you, as the member, would feel that rush of excitement at the thought of finally finishing your project and being able to accomplish something “big” again. You were a part of that accomplishment and that is enough reason to get “kilig”.

At a more physical level, when performing or competing, the “kilig” feeling can also be experienced when participants are intent on displaying their well-choreographed moves along their powerful auras. Even running that 5-mile triathlon with the people cheering for you at the sidelines could make you push harder and go beyond your limits which also ignite that “kilig” feeling.

In class, when a student says something sensible in a fluent manner, his other classmates would tease him as “GWAPO!” (Handsome!) just because he was able to nail the answer. It immediately gives that sense of triumph and “kilig-ness”.

Especially through compliments such as: “Nice bag”, “Nice hair”, “Nice shoes, bro”, or “Gumaganda ka ata” (Looking lovely today), you can trace that “kilig” moment and find yourself happy, even if it may be a fleeting emotion. The fact is, the “kilig” feeling is never limited to romance. It doesn’t stop happening after getting that fabulous comment from a crush or a teacher (moreover if they are the same person). “Kinikilig” also means you were able to do something good or great and reaped that glory or benefit and that “kilig” reinforces that good you have done. It’s one of those small things that make you want to live longer, experience better things, long for better things.

It drives you to be a better person, and though at times it may seem self-absorbed, it just means you’re looking for some sort of hope that could lead you somewhere ideal or close to contentment. It’s evidence that man is a social being. It can be one of the small things that celebrate your being alive.

So I ask you this, ”Kinilig ka na ba?’‘
—“Dahil kung hindi pa, magpakilig ka na”. =)

- Angela Rose Ferrer, Featured Guest Blogger
UA&P - I Share Happiness

Change

I always have this guilt feeling whenever I pass by some beggars or when a child approaches me and asks for money and I ignore them and even say I do not have anything to give them. There is always this debate going in me: is it right to give alms to the poor or we are just making them lazy if we give them money? Sometimes they may just be a part of a syndicate. I don’t really know what the right thing to do is.

But doesn’t it feel great when you are able to help other people who are in need? Or make someone happy just because of a little thing you gave or did for them? Simple things that for us may be worthless may be that someone’s happiness. When I read some articles saying that youth today are so apathetic towards others, I would long to prove them wrong. But then again, admittedly, somehow I am like that. So I decided to make a change.

I told myself to stop being self-centered and help others. Simply put, just be out there and share happiness. Now, I make it a point that I am able to help others whenever I can and make them happy in any way I can. If I used to ignore people who approach me and ask for help, now, I give something. I disregard that little debate in me now; there are things that matter more. It may be little, but I know it was worth something.

- Mady Asis, UA&P student

High

I’m not the usual type who likes to go out and do charity works. The person who influenced me to be interested in doing so is my sister. It was a big shock for me that instead of celebrating her 18th birthday at some place nice or even with friends, she chose to do it in an orphanage. Instead of giving her gifts, we brought clothes, toys, and other donations to the kids. It was so moving seeing those kids so happy. You can really see in their smiles and eyes that they are happy while we spent time and played with them. When we were about to leave, a child even cried because she does not want us to leave. She hugged me tight and right then and there I felt how lucky I am to have a family.

The whole day that we spent there was all worth it. Helping others and making others happy is a good feeling and at times, it can make you high. That is, high with laughter and love. Share happiness and experience being high… c:

-Mady Asis, UA&P student

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Thoughts to Ponder by UA&P Students

Cheeseburger and Fries

I remember the time that I was about to leave the mall, about to take a bite from my cheeseburger and fries when someone went up to me and said, "Ate, akin na lang yan" (Can I just have that?). I looked at him starved and thinking that I wanted that cheeseburger, really wanted it. But then I felt that I was staring sadness right into the face.

I handed him my cheeseburger and fries thinking I'll just buy another one --- asap. In that moment, I recall having a brief flashback of my grade school days. I just had to have that Lisa Frank and Barbie doll merchandise on the toy store racks that I saw. I just had to have those Polly Pocket sets. I just had to have that pencil case with then-high-tech compartments. Come high school, I just had to have that Nokia mobile phone and that elephant pants and that pretty bag. Then that better Nokia mobile phone, that cuter elephant pants and that prettier bag. It just goes on and on and on... and on.

A pivotal milestone during my first year college in the Univesity of Asia and the Pacific was exposure to kids in an orphanage. As the requirement for NSTP (National Service Training Program), we had to teach orphan kids weekly in Nayon ng Kabataan in a city called Mandaluyong in our humble country, the Philippines.
During our first day, the sun was scorching hot and sticky sweat was trickling all over our delicate faces. We kept asking ourselves why we had to be there. As the lingering question echoed in our minds, we found the trip such a hassle. Then we went inside to discover how selfish we have become.

Kids were eager beavers, almost lined up waiting for their tutors. I could not explain how I felt seeing my tutee for the first time. I felt guilt for the things I almost complained about and joy for not missing the things I could have missed if I pursued complaining.

Days passed and the experience was fulfilling as much as it was challenging. Fulfilling for simply doing what is good and challenging for that encounter is not everyday that there was struggle if I am doing good "the right way".

I would excitedly buy crayons and notebooks for my tutee whenever I was at the mall. That was so little on my part but whenever I see the look on her face, it is not sheer humility that she is teaching me. She is teaching me appreciation not just of the comfort I can enjoy but for the kind of life I have.

This time around, still in college, the opportunity is different. We are about to start a journey of sharing happiness. It will not be a weekly thing for a single kid but a one-time thing for several kids. A one-time thing that could last a child a lifetime of gladness. In her or his last days, it's not so hard to look back on that day I lost my cheeseburger and fries. After I gave it to him, I had countless more cheeseburgers and supersized fries. But that moment of sharing I gave him can never be replaced by all the fastfood I took after placing a smile on his face.

I write not merely for self-expression. I want it to be more purposeful. I know youth volunteerism and charity are such big words, it daunts. You may tell me that you are just an ant in this big universe. Well, I am too an ant in that sense ;) But mind you, those little ants are able to carry particles of food --together. We may not save the world or fly out the window to catch someone. But we can always paint smiles in the faces of terminally ill children. We'd be glad if you help us spread the happiness we found in helping them.

-Kristen Morados, UA&P Student

The Ease of Sharing

NSTP, as part of our college curriculum, required us to go to Nayon ng Kabataan and teach orphans basic knowledge like ABC, multiplication, division, basic shapes and colours. I can’t recall what exactly I taught my tutee but what I remember clearly was the smile on her face when I gave her small gifts such as school supplies and chocolates. There were days when I got lazy and hid from my tutee. But when she would find me, she would have this big smile on her face and would blurt out, "ate, ate, ate!" It’s like she hasn’t seen me in years. I realized how small things like giving crayons or helping in solving math problems can make someone happy. Sharing happiness is actually easy after all. And, honestly, sharing my happiness makes me even happier.

- MM Donato, UA&P Student

BIGKAS

I'd say I’m very privileged. I have been given a lot of opportunities in school and through people who believe in my art. It's a hobby that I have always been happy doing. In UA&P, there's a program called BIGKAS. It's an outreach program that included teaching art to less privileged children. I have been so lucky and blessed, and I felt that it's about time that I gave back what I have been so lucky to receive through BIGKAS. Some friends and I went to a public school that BIGKAS was working with and we had a room all to ourselves with about 35 grade 5 students. They all wanted to be in that workshop and just seeing their eager faces made me so excited. Teaching children really felt different. When you're young, the imagination works so innocently and they can dream up things that older people might not be able to do so because there are a lot of things they have become jaded about. It was really refreshing to teach these young minds. We taught them about the color wheel and how mixing the colors can produc new shades. They were children yet they all understood and had fun with the activities we gave them. We let them explain what they dream of and it was so cute to hear their points of view. It was so refreshing! At the end of the day, I felt so light and happy. I made 35 adorable and sweet creative new friends. It was a wonderful experience.

-Kit Palabyab, UA&P Student

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