Marketman has been positively crazed lately. A whirling dervish (look it up, it is a very descriptive phrase), really. Got back from a short trip very late on Sunday night, just had enough time to pack and take an early morning flight to Cebu and check on last minute plans for the first feeding program at the Banawa Elementary School, scheduled for 11:30 am… Edik and Artisan Chocolatier, two Cebu-based readers of Markemanila.com and both donors to the t-shirt program, joined me and crew on our short drive to the school. It was a simple yet utterly moving experience. I wish all of you who donated to the program and those who wanted to, but couldn’t, were with us at the lunch yesterday. I can only describe it as indescribably wonderful. Some things are just good, period. GOOD. And since I was so crazed, I forgot to bring my camera cable to download my photos so I will do a much longer post on Thursday or Friday when I get back home. Meanwhile, you might want to check out this link to Edik’s blog where he has two photos of the event. I promise a more detailed description when I get a camera cable. Meanwhile, you have two more chances to pick up one of the remaining 150 shirts and totes… This Saturday, Dec 8th at PCPD Building, directions posted last week. And soon, I will announce a pick up for Davao based residents (limited selection of 30 items)… so folks from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao can all get their marketmanila t-shirts and totes and help in this small but good effort. Many, many thanks to all of you… you will collectively provide some 11,000+ meals to public school children over the next 4 months or so… and while Marketman is just facilitating (yikes, it was SO much more work than I thought!) all of this, I can’t accurately describe how incredibly satisfying and worthwhile this feels right now. Thank you. :)
38 Responses
Just checked out Edik’s blog, that boy in the picture looks really malnourished but he seems very happy because of what you are doing, feeding him..
Yes, it was truly a heartwarming site watching the malnourished kids eat with gusto. If you are moved by that one picture of Edik, just multiply it by 75 to get a feeling of what we experienced. It was also kind of Marketman (as if what he’s doing was not enough!!!) to give an early Christmas gift to the kids with the spin-tops. PLUS, he had live music rendered by some other school kids (that he also help fund in getting their musical instruments) play while the kids ate. MM, YOU ARE AWESOME!!!!
Thank you for allowing us to be part of this feeding program.
Visited Edik’s blog and it is pretty obvious the boy in the first picture looks like a kid in a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust. Of course his nose is a typical Filipino.
I am much aware of task like this program is a Herculean job – the planning alone took so much mind efforts. No financial reward on this fulfilling job but at least you are helping and will help underprivileged kids who are rest assured their stomach is filled up for the rest of the day that will help alleviate their thought process and boast up their morale and certainly our youths are the future of our Country. You deserve the medal of honor for your heroic acts in bringing cheers and sunshine to these kids. Keep up the excellent job!
Wondering when will the Republic of the Philippines do their job in providing food, shelter and medical care to their indigent citizens? The US has cut down on their Welfare program but still they offer free public school education through high school, food stamps, low-cost housing and Medi-Cal to its indigent citizens. Of course, I cannot compare apples to bananas!
Hats off to you Mr. MM!!!
I should be the one thanking you for letting us (Marketmanila readers) take part in your feeding program! I am so moved by your work and efforts that words are not enough to describe how I’m feeling right now.. :’)
*So thankful for stumbling upon your site!
*Lucky Edik and Artisan Chocolatier, you guys were able to join Mr. MM!
Kudos, Marketman! Thanks for arranging all of this inspite of the big headache. =) Pogi points in heaven. =)
It was a wonderful experience. Thank you Marketman.
More pics are uploaded at my site. If you want to see the whole bunch, I have uploaded my files at https://joopman.multiply.com/.
awesome! this post just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. :) great job, MM!
You built an ARK, MM.
an Act of Random Kindness, no matter how small make a lot of difference. It is truly gratifying knowing you have done something good to someone expecting nothing in return.
We need people like you, MM. And if all people in the Philippines follow your lead, WOW….all Balikbayans will stay for good.
If you guys dig around Edik’s blog, you’ll find more photos. :)
Thanks for putting this together MM. Please let us know how else we can help in the near future. :)
btw MM, you have a picture on edik’s multiply account. or is that you? ;)
rocoi, he is my public double… heehee. Only folks who have come to eyeballs will know for sure, or do they??? Heeheehee.
would like to see the photos taken by Edik but I don’t know why my computer is blocking the links(2). are there other websites where i can see the photos? :) thanks
MM, you truly know the real spirit of Christmas. THANK YOU for all your efforts.
hmmm… when is the next eyeball event!? haha! whatever’s written in your heart, that’s all that matters.. and we all know you’ve got a very compassionate one! thanks again for letting us have a part in this project. :)
The pictures were truly heartwarming to look at.. Kudos to your charitable heart and expect us to be part again of any programs in the future…A BIG thanks. Oh yeah, you do look like the guy who signed my totebag.. :)
blessed people should bless unfortunate ones. we are but instruments, but what good is an instrument if not used…thanks MM for being just that. you have made it possible for folks like us, to help out in our own little way.
Thanks for letting us be part of all this MM!
Mabuhay ka Marketman!
If only I could buy one of your bags here in Korea. :)
I meant you look like the guy(from edik’s blog pics)who signed my totebag…:))
elaine, I may have taught my doubles to sign on my behalf as well…heeheehee.
Thank you very much for letting us be part of this. It doesn’t really matter how much one gave, we all share the feeling that somehow we have given these kids hope and life. Seeing the pictures give us the feeling of being there. Thank you again for making this possible.
quite a few photo’s in the edik blogsite. really hearwarming to see all the happy kids enjoying your efforts. keep it up!
hi rocoi, which one has mm picture on it or the double?
The children’s smiles and twinkle in their eyes say it all! It’s priceless. This experience will surely grow in their hearts. This is a seed you’re planting, Market Man…Bless your heart.
Bendisyonan ka unta sa Ginoo MM. Kudos! Thanks also to edick for sharing with us the pictures during the event.
congrats MM and crew! if you are holding a feeding program here in manila and you need volunteers, count me in! =D
it was the last picture on edik’s blog photos, john paul. but i just checked and it has (SHOCKED!) disappeared! i guess the double got picture shy! :)
my best of congratulations to you MM! I admit I was very frustrated when you moved your distribution area to S&R when i was near Salcedo market that day…and that was my only chance (being in Manila) yet I know nothing is by accident. You will be my example for also doing my share here in the province where I live! Thank you for showing me, it can be done!
Congratulations on pulling this off! I know it started out as an idea a few months ago, but to finally see something this big to fruition is great. =)
hi rocoi, was it the one at the buffet counter?
You are a blessing to those kids. May there be more people with kind hearts like you!
God bless you, MM and all those who helped in this project. Please do let me know about the pick up point in Davao. Just in case you still need people to bring the stuff to Davao, I’ll be in Manila next week so I can bring some shirts/totes as well and just give it to your “distributor” here. You can email or text (xxxxx) me if ever. Btw, please don’t publish my mobile #.
It’s heartening how many people went out of their way to help. Nothing says “Christmas” more than the spirit of giving, and giving generously. Anytime you have a project like this, you can count on my support!
You’re the greatest! May your tribe increase :)
nope, john paul. he was making a speech. it’s gone now, too bad. :)
can hardly wait for our shirts here in davao, MM!
Yup, MM, I’ve been a whirling dervish myself several times in my lifetime! But wouldn’t mind transforming into one again for such a WORTHY project as your feeding program.
Nakakataba ng puso to have been given the privilege to to part of it. Marming slamat and God bless you.
Doddie, sayang I was in Seoul last week (Dec 2-8) and could’ve brought you a tee or tote. Was too busy pre-flight to think of offering to bring for Korean marketmaniacs. Sorry. Next time nalang, ha?