Written by Ate Edelma Sy
For a more meaningful team event, the staff of YourBookkeepersOnline — an accounting firm from San Juan, Metro Manila — planned a fun-filled day with U! Happy Events and 15 kids in Manila Ocean Park. The kids came from JD Salvador, a community-based NGO in Tondo.
The day kicked off with a healthy lunch where the kids got to meet the Ates and Kuyas from YBO for the first time. Then off to the park! With their Ate or Kuya dragged by the hand, the kids paraded enthusiastically to see the attractions. It was so heartwarming to see the children so eager and excited to check out Ocean Park for the first time.
Top of the list was the Oceanarium. Seeing it through a child’s eye, the place was absolutely magical! And it was apparent that the kids truly enjoyed the attraction: they were all sticking their curious, smiling faces against the glass that held the largest and most colorful fishes they have ever seen, pointing and giggling.
Next was the Trails of Antarctica, the freezing home of the adorable and plump Humboldt penguins. The tour then led to the World of Creepy Crawlies which exhibits frogs, insects, spiders, and worms; then to the Barnyard which housed chickens, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and rats (the kids all took turns running on the giant hamster wheel!); and the Birdhouse where they got really close encounter with the colorful Budgies roosting on their outreached hands.
The afternoon tour concluded with the Ray and Shark Encounter and the Sea Lion Show that both left the kids and YBO staff entertained. Finally, it was time to say goodbye. The kids each gave their YBO Kuyas and Ates tight hugs, thanking them for a wonderful day they will never forget.
Rather than spend their time and resources dining out or going out of town, the staff of YourBookkeepersOnline decided to share their special day with the JD Salvador kids. We all have our chance to give others what little we have, and in the eyes of those who has less, these small acts of kindness can be as deep and wide as the ocean.
– Kuya Shane Agir, YBO