Yesterday after paying the reservation for the party of Princess Cinderella
I was on my way home when I met this woman with her 4 years old daughter.
She was standing in front of Jollibee and counting some coins in her hand.
Next, I saw her begging coins to people walking in and out of Jollibee.
I looked away, thinking that she's one of those who are begging for coins.
When suddenly, her daughter burst into tears while pointing her hands to Jollibee.
I looked into her eyes and saw a tear or two falling while she was tying to pacify her child.

I don't know what came to me.
I approached them and asked what's wrong.
Without a single thought the woman asked me
"Basi may trenta ka ne? Ako lang gadaea ro imong plastik at htdan kita"
("Do you have 30 pesos? I'll carry your grocery bag for you." )
I asked her what for
She said, its her daughter's 4th birthday and she wanted to eat hamburger and french fries from Jollibee. She wanted to know how it taste.
I was amazed.
But since its her birthday and burger doesn't cost that much
I brought them in.
And I bought  her the cheapest burger value meal.
because that is all that I can afford, hehehe

I was about to go
when the little girl stopped me
She showed me her dress
according to her its a gift form her mother.
Her dress looks old and with some faded parts maybe because of laundry bleach.

Her mother told me it was a relief good she got weeks ago.
She saved it for the special day.
She kissed her daughter in the forehead
and greeted her happy birthday
The little girl smiled at her and then at me...

I was stunned
speechless


I'm not rich.
But I can bring my kid's to Jollibee anytime they want.
I can buy them clothes and toys and everything they need.
We don't need to beg
We don't need to wait for relief goods

I suddenly pity them
especially the mother
I know she wanted to give more
if only she could...

And how painful is that
for every mother
for every parents
when you know you can't give
what your child wanted for so long

I decided not to talk anymore
I just watched her eat her burger meal
I just watched her enjoy that special moment
I just watched her mother's fulfillment
because she knows she did what she want to do for her child
...

When I decided to go home
I handed the mother a 200 peso bill
It was suppose to be for my shirt

But having the opportunity to witness
a deeper sense of love from a mother to her child
what is 200 pesos...
and I know
that my money
will be used to buy
better than a shirt