I had an unusual, powerful encounter yesterday morning. In the area of Anda Circle just before the walls of Intramuros, two little girls approached me, asking for alms. Instead of dismissing them (as I am guilty of doing often), I asked for their names (they are Jenalie and Marvie), and offered to buy them bread instead. Jenalie remarked, "Kuya, 'yung may palaman ha?" (Sir, bread with filling, ha?). Giggling, I went to the nearby Ministop and bought a pack each of cheese bread and hopia monggo, and added a bottle of water (for the needed push, haha). I went back to them, gave the bag with the foodstuff; lo and behold, little Jenalie hands me a disc sleeve with a disc inside (Killer Forest 2, that is). I asked her if it's for me; and she said it is. I bid them goodbye and told them to enjoy their shared breakfast (while holding back my emotions).
I am not a fan of scary movies (so if you wish to borrow that disc, I would gladly lend it to you), but "Killer Forest" will remain with me for some time--it will stand to remind me of what I already heard before: "Nobody is so poor that he or she has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich that he or she has nothing to receive." (St. John Paul II)
P.S. On my way home I decided to have dinner at Minute Burger just before Santo Nino Parish Church in Tondo, coming from Divisoria. A little girl, Ernalyn, came near me and asked for some coins. I told her I would eat first; she lingered beside me, looking at me from time to time. When the buy-1-take-1 burgers were served, I took a bite on one, and afterwards asked her about the other burger, "Gusto mo ba 'to? 'Pag binigay ko ba sa 'yo 'to, kakainin mo?" (Do you want this? If I give this to you, will you finish it?), concerned that she may want to eat something else. Her nod sealed the deal, and I handed her the other bun. To which she replied, "Thank you po", and left.
What a day. The world remained imperfect, but I sure am changed. Thanks be to God.
