Atheist Republic Metro Manila Consulate (ARMMC), on its third anniversary, invited Humanist Alliance Philippines, International (HAPI) to an afternoon of fun games, gift-giving and quality time with the children at Tanglaw Home of Virlanie Foundation Philippines. Representing HAPI at the celebration were Edwin Bulaclac Jr., Chief Financial Officer, and McJarwin Cayacap, National Events Director and Public Relations Officer.
The members of the ARMMC provided entertainment to the two recipient houses of Virlanie Foundation by singing songs and storytelling to a very captive audience, and later gifting the children with coloring books and school supply kits. HAPI joined the festivity of this joyous occasion by interacting with the children as well and afterwards endorsed to the house mothers’ custody a few reading and writing books for all children in the two houses to enjoy and improve also on their reading and comprehension skills. Kiddie meals, snacks and refreshments were also served to recharge everyone amid the scorching summer heat.
Homeless children are an unfortunate yet common sight in Metro Manila and other key cities in the Philippines. It makes sense; we were a Third World country, now in the process of economic development after decades of non-inclusive policy-making and social divide. In support of the government’s efforts to improve social welfare, charitable groups exist to help in building a bright future for Filipinos.
Virlanie Foundation Philippines cares for children in need of special protection — those who are among the poorest of the poor, the abandoned, abused, exploited, neglected, and orphaned. Established in 1992 by Dominique Lemay, a French social worker, with the help of his Filipino friends, the foundation strives to build a better future for these children by “giving back their smiles” through its various programs and services.
Set in safe and quiet neighborhoods, most of the Homes are located in Makati City, close to the Foundation’s head office. Virlanie also has a Home in Dasmarinas, Cavite for physically- and mentally-challenged children. Tanglaw Home is where children ages 7 to 12 are fostered.
Sarah Espeña, one of Tanglaw Home’s “house parents”, has been looking after the children for years. The way she smiled and looked at them shows her love and care for them. Tanglaw Home, as with other Homes, follows a routine every day, ensuring essential needs are provided.
Atheist Republic is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to unifying the already existing demands of many atheists for peace, liberty, justice and freedom of thought and expression everywhere in the world. Its Metro Manila Consulate has been meeting up for discussions and debates for four years. Much of its membership are teens who are passionate about expression.
‘HAPI Triple Treat: The Road Ahead’, the 2018 General Assembly of HAPI in Bacolod City on October 19-21, is sponsored by Atheist Republic along with International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) and HAPI Founder Marissa Torres-Langseth herself.
HAPI and Atheist Republic are one in believing that rational people in the world, whether religious, atheist, agnostic or just spiritual, can create a powerful force that cannot be ignored. Truly, collaboration between the two organizations is inevitable.
The Author
McJarwin Cayacap
- HAPI Metro Manila Member
- Web Content Editor
- National Events Director
- Public Relations Officer
Currently in between careers, he busies himself with anything that works for the good of humanity. Other than being a humanist, he is a realist, an art aficionado, a frugal foodie and a weary wanderer. He looks forward to working in the central government.
