These kids in Tondo see a silver lining, thanks to Catriona Gray | ABS-CBN
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These kids in Tondo see a silver lining, thanks to Catriona Gray
These kids in Tondo see a silver lining, thanks to Catriona Gray
Jonathan Cellona,
ABS-CBN News
Published Dec 19, 2018 01:19 PM PHT
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Updated Dec 19, 2018 05:31 PM PHT
MANILA -- It's a special day at the Young Focus Foundation Child Care Center in Balut, Tondo.
MANILA -- It's a special day at the Young Focus Foundation Child Care Center in Balut, Tondo.
Students and teachers alike are busy decorating to honor the most beautiful woman in the universe -- Catriona Gray.
Students and teachers alike are busy decorating to honor the most beautiful woman in the universe -- Catriona Gray.
These are the kids Gray was referring to when she was asked of the most important lesson she has learned in life during the recent Miss Universe pageant.
These are the kids Gray was referring to when she was asked of the most important lesson she has learned in life during the recent Miss Universe pageant.
"I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila and the life there is poor and it's very sad. And I have always taught myself to look for the beauty in it; to look for beauty in the faces of the children and to be grateful," she answered.
"I work a lot in the slums of Tondo, Manila and the life there is poor and it's very sad. And I have always taught myself to look for the beauty in it; to look for beauty in the faces of the children and to be grateful," she answered.
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"And I will bring this aspect as a Miss Universe, to see situations with a silver lining. And to assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson. And if I can teach people to be grateful, we can have an amazing world where negativity cannot grow and prosper, and children will have smiles on their faces."
"And I will bring this aspect as a Miss Universe, to see situations with a silver lining. And to assess where I could give something, where I could provide something as a spokesperson. And if I can teach people to be grateful, we can have an amazing world where negativity cannot grow and prosper, and children will have smiles on their faces."
For many pageant observers, her answer helped seal her victory in the pageant.
For many pageant observers, her answer helped seal her victory in the pageant.
The Young Focus Foundation is a non-government organization that has been operating since 2008, starting with the children in Smokey Mountain. Believing that education is the most powerful tool to overcome poverty, the foundation had set up several pre-schools in Tondo.
The Young Focus Foundation is a non-government organization that has been operating since 2008, starting with the children in Smokey Mountain. Believing that education is the most powerful tool to overcome poverty, the foundation had set up several pre-schools in Tondo.
One of its projects is a school that provides social care for the kids in the community, providing them with extra tutorials as well as personal coaching.
One of its projects is a school that provides social care for the kids in the community, providing them with extra tutorials as well as personal coaching.
The pre-school program is for 3-4 year old kids. The foundation helps not only the children through school, but also their parents, who are given training and counseling.
The pre-school program is for 3-4 year old kids. The foundation helps not only the children through school, but also their parents, who are given training and counseling.
In 2015, a new program, Young Unlimited, was set up for the older kids who were out of school. The program assists in getting them ready to go back to school.
In 2015, a new program, Young Unlimited, was set up for the older kids who were out of school. The program assists in getting them ready to go back to school.
Today, the foundation has a full-time staff of 69 and is currently serving over 1,340 beneficiaries. Some 125 students have graduated from college with the help of the foundation.
Today, the foundation has a full-time staff of 69 and is currently serving over 1,340 beneficiaries. Some 125 students have graduated from college with the help of the foundation.
Teacher Jeanda, 28, is one of the teachers at the pre-school. She recalled the time when Gray, then a Binibining Pilipinas beauty titlist, visited the foundation and held a feeding program for the children.
Teacher Jeanda, 28, is one of the teachers at the pre-school. She recalled the time when Gray, then a Binibining Pilipinas beauty titlist, visited the foundation and held a feeding program for the children.
“Masaya siya kasama. Nakikihalubilo siya sa mga bata,” she said.
“Masaya siya kasama. Nakikihalubilo siya sa mga bata,” she said.
Sometimes the beauty queen even joined in the classes. “Paborito niya 'yung storytime at lagi siyang nakikiupo sa mga bata at kinakausap niya isa-isa,” Jeanda said.
Sometimes the beauty queen even joined in the classes. “Paborito niya 'yung storytime at lagi siyang nakikiupo sa mga bata at kinakausap niya isa-isa,” Jeanda said.
Gray, she said, also worked with the foundation to renovate the pre-school so that it could take in more children from the surrounding communities.
Gray, she said, also worked with the foundation to renovate the pre-school so that it could take in more children from the surrounding communities.
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