Cute Human Beings

It’s the last day of the crazy year.  Let me be very positive today.  I know I failed to post and greet everyone a very Merry Christmas last December 25 that is why I made sure to write something on the last day of the year.

I have been seeing and bumping unto highlights of what has been this tremendous year online.  The internet specifically YouTube has somewhat been my escapism during this scary pandemic year.  My incapacity to explore outside and my inability to socialize personally with my friends and family gave me the opportunity to instead switch to watching sweet and delightful videos on YouTube.  These are the videos that somewhat filled the void of my needing to smile and my wanting to feel pleasant despite the scary contagion lurking outside.

Let me give homage to the cute human beings whom I encountered this year via YouTube.  These are the cute babies, toddlers and kids whose parent’s vlogpost I frequently watch and look forward to during the months that passed. 

They are…

Nitro (the cute baby of Dwaine and Shanta Wooley)

Nitro: cuteness overload

Holland and Stone (of Dustin & Burton Buffalo)

you will definitely be charmed by the chic and trendy Holland and Stone

Zach, TJ and Holly (of ChonaAndMyKids)

these kids’ antics will never fail to put a smile on your face

Uma (of Matthew & Elliot)

Uma the adorable and stylish little sunshine

Leila and Stella (of Ingrid in Bosnia) 

the cute sister-power of leila and stella

May our new year be as beautiful, as happy, as promising and as full-of-life like these cute human beings!  Happy New Year everyone!

Cutest & Bravest

At a very young age, I knew how it was to be very sick.  I was too sickly, I could be considered a regular “customer” of hospitals.  If hospitals and clinics would have a promo like Starbucks – earn enough points to get your free coffee on your next visit – I would be one who can easily earn the required hospital points to avail of a free confinement in the next visit. 

i remember this! my elder sister took this photo and i was just discharged from (as usual) the hospital.  too weak to smile! hahaha!

During my childhood, nurses and doctors are no longer surprised to find and see my name on their medical charts.  Nengkoy (my mother) in fact have loads of stories and anecdotes about her experiences in hospitals and during medical emergency situations that involves none other than, me.

I know how it is to be very very sick.  That is why every time I see a young child at odds and is battling an illness and medical circumstance, my heart would just melt.

I am in tears when I encounter this trending news about John Oliver Zippay, the young kid who battled and won a war against cancer.

The video washed my eyes!  I am super happy for J.O. (his nickname).  What is good to know is that aside from being sickly at a young age, both I and J.O. were tagged “STRONG” by our respective fathers.  The hashtag in J.O.’s GoFundMe page created by his dad was #JOStrong.  My Tatay (Dad) on the other hand named me after Neil Armstrong.

got this from cnn photos!  super happy for this boy! so brave, so brave!

There’s one big difference though between me and J.O.  Aside from his infectious charm, the difference is that J.O. is the cutest and the bravest!

Real Giving This Christmas by Save the Children UK

According to Mahatma Gandhi, “The simplest act of kindness is by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer”.  That is why aside from trying to succeed in the 9-day Misa De Gallo challenge, let me encourage everyone to allot even a small portion of their Christmas blessings to charity.  I suppose you need not be told that even for a small amount, your donation will indeed go far and would help a lot of people.

I am not the best Catholic this Christmas Season so let me make up for my sins by helping others.  This Christmas, my chosen aid organization is Save the Children UK.  I know there is Save the Children Philippines but I chose the UK-based branch because I was so touched and was so moved by their YouTube advert for this Christmas season.  Entitled Real Giving This Christmas, the advert features Gerald a young boy from an impoverished town of my very own country.

o-ha!!! feeling mayaman…

(photo from save the children uk fb page)

What is very moving about Gerald’s story is his ability to give so much despite having so little.  His enthusing narrative along with a touching musical score of the video can indeed inspire and encourage people to share their blessings in whichever form it may be.

Do your soul some favor, you can donate to Save the Children UK by clicking on this LINK:http://www.savethechildren.org.uk

Puro ka kabig! Huy! Mag doneyt ka naman.