Love will keep us alive

As I alluded to in earlier posts, I journeyed out to Gordon Heights in Olongapo yesterday for a little dinner party.

The scene of the party…
It’s a church run orphanage. I’m not a religious man but I’m not anti-Christian either. I’ll live my life my way, you live yours as you please. That’s my attitude.

Anyway, I’ve mentioned here before that the Fil-Am home has been my charity of choice for the past couple of years. I used to deliver groceries when I visited. Now that I’m living here I wanted to set something up on a regular basis. I suggested a monthly dinner party for the kids to celebrate birthday parties or just have some fun. The Home’s Director agreed. Last night was the first of these events and it happened to coincide with Miguel’s eighth birthday.

The birthday boy.

The history of the Fil-Am home is kind of interesting. It was founded by a Department of Defense Schools teacher in the 1970s. Back when Subic was a Navy base the sailors would come into town, knock up the local gals, then sail away. When those seeds blossomed into Filipino-American children they were sometimes abandoned when the mothers were incapable of raising them. The lucky ones wound up here at the orphanage. The Navy base shut down in the early 1990s so there are no Fil-Am children residing in the home now.

Arlene Dunn, The King’s Fil-Am Home founder, now deceased, but her legacy lives on….

The facility appeared clean and well-maintained. The children seemed happy, well-dressed and well-fed. In fact, on my walks up in the mountains I’ve observed children living in shanties that appear much worse off. So on the one hand the kids at the Home are luckier than some. On the other hand they are orphans. Life can be hard in many different ways I suppose.

The event took place in what appeared to be a large multi-purpose classroom. I took advantage of the opportunity to learn some new words in Tagalog.

The Director had told me what was most needed was cash donations to pay for utilities and the like, so I did that in lieu of my usual grocery shopping. I did bring a big bag of rice though. Everyone needs rice, right?

Playing outside while waiting for the food to be delivered.
While inside some organized games were taking place. Here we have that age old favorite “musical chairs”…
The kids also entertained us with some song and dance. Very sweet!
And finally the food arrived. Spaghetti and chicken from local fast food favorite Jollibee.
Doing our gangsta poses…
Chowin’ down on the Jollibee!
It was kind of funny, but I don’t think Miguel was clear on the concept of blowing out a candle…
Miguel is now the proud owner of this dump truck. Happy Birthday to a sweet little boy!
I’m not the King in the King’s Fil-Am home name (he’s also the King of Kings as I understand it) but I was feeling like one by the end of the party. Thanks to the kids and staff!

My “team” accompanied me to the event but we didn’t partake in the Jollibee meal–I had something else in mind for them. Texas Joe’s!

So much to choose from…
Decisions, decisions. Most of the group did ribs…
But I did the chopped pork platter. They say pulling causes a loss of flavor. I don’t know about that, but chopped was delicious. And the cole slaw and beans were great too!
And there is something about a Filipina wearing cowgirl attire that just trips my trigger. The waitress looked very delicious indeed!
Tere and Gina, my domestic helpers; Donny my driver; Marissa my FWB, and yours truly enjoying our Hearts Day dinner…

It turned out to be a day full of love after all. Who’d a thunk it?


I was standing
All alone against the world outside
You were searching
For a place to hide
Lost and lonely
Now you’ve given me the will to survive
When we’re hungry, love will keep us alive
Don’t you worry
Sometimes you’ve just gotta let it ride
The world is changing
Right before your eyes
Now I’ve found you
There’s no more emptiness inside
When we’re hungry, love will keep us alive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZe1MBq1jy4

3 thoughts on “Love will keep us alive

  1. Great meals, both Jollibee and the BBQ place. And that birthday cake was quite beautifully done; you’ll have to remember that baker (assuming the cake tasted as good as it looked).

    St. John the Divine, swooping in with his gifts. A good day, indeed.

  2. I ain’t no saint, that’s for sure. Helping a little when I can feels good though.

    The cake was from a local bakery chain called Goldilocks. Sort of a Paris Baguette kind of place. But yeah, they do bake a fine cake!

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