A Christmas Party at Bahay ni Maria

After the fun and success of last year's Christmas party with the kids in Bethany Orphanage, our group chose to celebrate this year's party with the old aged people. We picked Bahay ni Maria in Calamba Laguna, the home of 31 neglected and abandoned women.

thanks again sa nagdesign Ü

I intentionally didn't announce this outreach because I was too overwhelmed with the support I got last year. Since there's still a portion of the fund that's left, okay na yun. Our group will provide the rest of the very simple wishes and needs of the lola's. But ofcors, those people who inquired and those who I know are still very willing to participate - I told them about the event. In case you're interested in professionally organizing a charity event like this, check out www.socialworkdegree.org.

personalized tumbler with handles and pashmina for the lola's
thank you sa nagprovide ng nametags (ang ganda, as always)
thank you sa nag-finance ng 33 tumblers

Hallelujah, Dec 8 - Taguig Day is declared as special non-working holiday so I got the time to go to Divisoria. Thanks sa officemate kong sinamahan ako bumili at magbuhat. Ü

thank you sa nagprovide ng meds and chocolates

And a million thanks to those who donated milk, bottled water, soap, diapers, food, roses, etc. Our group, as well as the elderly institution, appreciated the generous gesture.


12/11/11 - Party time with the Lola's

Like any other charity institution, we felt sad upon seeing the abandoned lola's. Some of them are sick, mentally-ill, and some are still undeniably beautiful despite their age. Ü

Bahay ni Maria
the heart is bigger then a home

Notice those tiles? Take a closer look..

a celebration of life and death

Gloomy right? But then again, life and death are both to be celebrated, maybe.
Our group introduced ourselves to the lola's by holding their hands. After mag-mano sa kanila, some lola's hugged us tight and even kissed us in our foreheads. They are very warm. They held us as if they have no plans of letting us go.

getting ready for the show

Honestly, our group never thought that partying with old people would be so much fun. They made us feel they are somehow happy and contented, despite not having a real family who'll take care of them.

Neel with ate Inday
ayaw nya patawag na "lola"

Che with ate Arlene

Lui and Josel with the centenarian Lola Diday

Rem with the ever jolly Lola Pacing

Nicole with Lola Nene and her teletubby

Mylene and Lola Cora

After getting to know each other, it's time for some entertainment. Our group hired a magician. Gusto daw ng magic ng mga lola, as suggested by head nuns.

Chris Vincent - the magician

It's actually hard to get the full attention of the lola's, but as long as they look entertained, that's what mattered most to us.

ate Rhina participating in the magic show

look how happy she is
she tells everyone again and again how she did that magic Ü

After the magic show, it's time for their lunch. We asked the nuns-in-charge what could we bring them. She suggested any food that's soft, easy to chew and easy to digest. Our group prepared rice, embotido, and pancit with lots of vegetables. For dessert, we bought Dole's bite sized fruits. Favorite pala nila yun.

ate Rhina, Lola Emeng, and Lola Arsenia

Lola Cora and Lola Pacing needed very little assistance

Mich and Lola Amelia

centenarian Lola Diday told me "yung mga 70 and 80 yrs old, nakawheel chair na. ako nakakalakad pa. kaya ko pa din kumain mag-isa. malakas pa ako"
so true, inferness isa sya sa pinaka-maayos kausap among the lola's

After eating, it's time for the ventriloquist to perform. This is the part where everyone enjoyed, including us.

puppet show

This puppet got everyone's attention. Laughter can be heard all over the place.
Even Lola Nene, who has her teletubby with her, walked towards the puppet and began talking to it. Hehe Fun!

Lola Nene has her own puppet too

nalungkot na bigla, lagot ka boss Chris

It started raining that's why the puppet show was interrupted. Naiyak tuloy si Lola Nene. We transferred to their function hall and continued with our program.

When boss Chris did an ocular a week prior to our event, he found out that Lola Diday will be turning 100 years old this December. Very rare moment that we can greet somebody who's celebrating her 100th birthday, amazing!

the centenarian, Lola Diday
may you have an excellent health, peaceful mind, and happy outlook

pang bucket list: greet someone who just turned 100 ♥

And of course, there are gifts for everyone as well.

personalized items for each lola

diapers, medicines, groceries

every girl, no matter what age, appreciates a flower
well there's one lola who resisted, siguro may bad experience sa ex-bf? hehe

seeing them smile already made our day

And so we thought we should pack up and leave, the lola's requested a HepHepHooray and Stop Dance games. Aba, energetic sina Lola. Let's play then!

Lola Emeng requested Jai Ho in particular, updated si lola! Ü

Now who says Christmas is only for kids? This special season is for everyone! This is indeed one of the happiest parties I attended.

thank you for allowing us to spend time with you. we learned a lot. we gained new realizations.
the pleasure is actually ours.

organizing this outreach is a privilege.
we're very thankful for the opportunity.

♥ Cheers to every lola who found their new families in Bahay ni Maria. Thank you for showing us how to go on, accept life's surprises, and be happy despite and inspite of.
♥ Kudos (and a deep respect) to the nuns and the staff of Bahay ni Maria. I felt the passion, dedication, and love towards each and every lola in this elderly institution. God bless you more.
♥ Our group felt privileged to spend time with them. The pleasure is ours.

Have a blessed Christmas everyone. ♥

Bahay ni Maria contact number - (049) 8343217