Making dreams come true
WHEN I was approached by Makati Shangri-La in their desire to make MovEd the beneficiary of their Christmas program this year, I was beyond ecstatic. The fact that a world-renowned five-star hotel took the time to find out and learn about an organization still in its humble beginnings to me was already overly satisfying. I’m kidding… It was AMAZINGLY OVERWHELMING! Many times during our planning meetings I had to pinch myself (in the midst of enjoying their exquisite food that is) as a reminder that everything was real and I was not floating in a dream. After many sushi platters and cups of hot chocolate in between brainstorming, the final plan unrolled: it was to be a two-part engagement – the first part giving the employees an opportunity to engage with the cause through a Christmas Party for the MovEd students and the second part allowing the guests to learn more about MovEd’s mission and extending to them the platform to help (more about the latter part next week).
The first half of Shangri-La Makati’s engagement with MovEd happened last Monday, November 3. Around 80 of MovEd’s students from both Navotas and Pasig hopped onto the buses that took them to the hotel bright and early for what they have come to call their “best day ever.” Their reactions as they entered the Isabela Ballroom were priceless and how I wish we could’ve captured every single “Wow, ang ganda!” and similar sentiments, with irreplaceable joy in their eyes. It was pure happiness that no money can buy.
The hotel went beyond anything the children (and myself included) could have possibly dreamed of. From cotton candy carts, to popcorn, to ice cream and cupcake counters, a gingerbread decorating station, a coloring table, a loom band, and kiddie salon stand for the girls, basketball hoops and a mini playground for the boys – it was a wonderland and a heaven on earth for any kid. To add to all the festivities, Makati Shangri-La brought in an award-winning magician and had their top executives present to interact with the kids – from leading the storytelling and having their head chef personally serving spaghetti to every child. It was indeed a day to remember – one that will not long be forgotten.
Above all the fanfare and fancy, what left a mark in the heart of the MovEd teachers and Shangri-La staff alike was how humbling an experience it was for us all, seeing the children bask in the simplest of joys. When asked what their favorite part was, their answers varied – from the “malamig na bus” [the cold bus ride] to the “malambot na sahig” [referring to the soft carpeted floors] and “ang makilala si Santa Claus” [meeting Santa Claus] – but what was most overwhelming and what threaded it all together was how they saw past what any of us did; they took the littlest details – often overlooked and forgotten – to heart. In their eyes, the most important was the smallest of things and that’s what has left a lasting impression in their lives. A gentle reminder to us all to never take anything for granted. True to the words of renowned author Paolo Coelho, “A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.” And if only because of that, it definitely was one of my “best days ever” too!