797 Ate Rizza Celebrates with National Children’s Hospital

Written by President, Ate Te Candano
Ate Rizza turned a year older last August 9 and she wanted to make this year more special by sharing her blessings to kids who are sick. This was the premise of her different and unique birthday celebration this year. Together with her friends and officemates from Fasteners Inc and support of her boss, Sir Mike, they made their way to National Children’s Hospital (NCH) on a rainy and gloomy Sunday afternoon to bring joy and laughter to the 4th floor Children’s Ward of NCH.
25 kids, together with their guardians, gathered for this simple celebration. Kids from different wards converged in the hallway for the big surprise. Before we revealed what we had in store for them that day, the volunteers were first distributed to the kids and their companions. They had to pair up with the kids. Some kids who were undergoing blood transfusion could not join us on the hallway but still watched from their windows. To break the ice, the volunteers had to ask the kids their name, favorite food and favorite game. The volunteers in turn also mentioned their faves. Some kids were initially shy but with the help of their guardians, they were easily able to break the ice with their volunteer Ate/Kuya.
We then proceeded to play a game which we usually do during hospital events, the IlongIlong game. This is where everyone points their finger to their nose and chant ilong ilong ilong…as we continue tapping on our nose. The host then gives a body part where the players should point to. Unknowing to everyone, the hosts says a body part but points to another body part to confuse everyone. Those who follow the host will be illiminated. Everyone was eager to do the game as it was a fun time to break the ice as we start off a great afternoon.
Ate Rizza wanted to make the kids happy by bringing in entertainment for everyone. We invited Kuya Beng to do magic with the kids. We were surprised that it was the first time for some kids to witness a magic show. Of course they were all entralled with the funny magic that Kuya Beng prepared. The magician even asked for the assistance of a kid volunteerm, Rex, who helped him with his magic tricks to the crowd’s delight. Watching from inside one of the wards of the hospital, I saw the faces of the kids light up as they were being entertained by Kuya Beng. It was definitely beginning to be a great Sunday for everyone.
Next up was a bubble show by Kuya Allan. This act made all the younger kids scream with delight as I heard ooohhhs and aaaahhhs from the crowd as the big bubbles were being done. The volunteers and kids even participated as Kuya Allan made a volunteer and kid get inside a big bubble. Truly a camera worthy event as the kids forgot about their condition while they were entertained.
After the back to back entertainment, it was time for the kids to return to their ward to rest. But the volunteers still have a lot of surprise in store. During this quiet time back in their hospital beds, the volunteers did some one on one storytelling with the kids. I remember one volunteer mentioning that her kid partner read so fast that she had to keep up while telling the story. We appreciated the effort done by our volunteers who may have no experience in reading to a kid or may not be too confident in delivering the stories to their audience but did it anyway. It just goes to show their dedication and effort in making their time with the kids worthwhile. Merienda were distributed after the storytelling sessions. The biggest surprise was yet to be given as there were lootbags prepared by Ate Rizza’s friends and officemates to be distributed to the kids. The kids were given lootbags containing toys, food and the like. Truly a lot of giveaways for the kids to remember their visit by.
We sang happy birthday to Ate Rizza after all the merriment was done. She also gave a short message to the kids infusing hope and healing. The volunteers, before saying goodbye to the kids, said a short prayer for them. It is our intention that aside from spreading good vibes and giving smiles to these kids is for them to have a stronger faith and belief that God will heal them. We hope we imparted just that with our visit to them.
Big thanks again to Boss Mike for the support in this endeavor and to the friends and officemates of Ate Rizza for being great Ates and Kuyas to the patients of the Children’s Ward of NCH. For sure, this was one memorable birthday experience for Ate Rizza—one she will remember for a long time.

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