Letters of hope

Today, instead of the usual 10 things, I would like to share with you these handmade letters of hope by the students of Upper Bicutan National High School in Taguig.

01: “Itago niyo lang po itong liham na ito sapagkat paglaki ko ay babalikan ko kayo at tutulungan. What I mean is pag nagkatrabaho na po ako.

(Please keep my letter because when I grow up, I will go back to you to help you. I mean when I do get a job.)”

— From Arriane Joyce Belas, whose grandparents, sister, and uncle in Marasbaras have also not been contacted yet

02:“Panatilihin sa ating isipan na may bukas pa na magdadala ng bagong pag-asa para muling bumangon at makapag-umpisa ng panibagong magandang buhay.”

— Another letter, also from Arriane Joyce Belas

03:“Tacloban ka ba? Kasi tacloban mo man kami ng langit, babangon at babangon kaming sama-sama!”

— Comic relief from Mark Zamora and Adan Barbacena

04:“Kahit ano man pong pagsubok ang dumating huwag po tayong magpapadala sa takot at huwag nating kalimutang mag pray kay Papa God.”

— From the students of IV-Ephesus

05:“Keep safe. Pray not for things but for wisdom and courage.”

— Writes Almira Gorgonia inside this card

06:“Just remember God has his own way to make us feel better.”

— From a student of IV-Notre Dame

07:Artwork by Crishelda Sevilla

08:“Kung malakas ang bagyong Yolanda, pwes mas malakas at matatag ang mga Pinoy! Cute pa! Hehehe, just kidding. I just wanted to make you smile. But that’s true, cute ang mga Pinoy.”

— From Cholyn O. Bregaiz

09:“Bawat pagsubok ay lagi tayong ginagabayan, ‘yan ang ating Panginoon, one God who will always love us.”

— Acronym of “bagyo” by Rose Ann Mintay

10:“Be happy!!!! Because you are alive.”

— The simplest words of wisdom from Neil Ryan Gallanosa

11:“Huwag na po kayong malungkot. Sige po kayo, papangit po kayo. Smile lang po. Nawa’y sa simpleng sulat na ito’y mapangiti ko po kayo. Kung hindi kayo ngumiti, basahin niyo po uli baka sakaling mapangiti kayo.”

— From a student who didn’t write her name

12:“Bawat pagsubok na dumaan sa ating buhay ang siyang nagpapatunay kung gaano kalayo na ang ating narating.”

— From a student who signed her name Ejas’ Ar

13:“Continue to live life.”

— A meaningful reminder from Jheng Nuqui

14:“Matatawa kang muli.”

(“You shall laugh again.”)

— From Mae Clara Ramirez

15:“Huwag kailanman sisihin ang sarili sa pagkawala ng mga mahal natin sa buhay. Upang magbukas ito sa pag-asang bumangon muli at harapin ang kinabukasan.”

— From Ronald F. Buhay

16:“Kung ako po ay isang taong mayaman ay tutulungan ko po kayo agad kaso po hindi ako mayaman. Pero sa isang sulat na ito ay sana makatulog ito sa inyo para maglakas loob.”

— From a student who didn’t write her name

17:“Ikaw na nakakabasa ng sulat na ito, kahit hindi tayo magkakilala ay sana dumating ang pagkakataong magkakilala tayo at sana sa pagkakataong iyon, sana taas noo mo akong haharapin at ipapakita na nakabangon ka na at masayang namumuhay.”

— From a student who didn’t write his name

18:Artwork by Dioscoro Lagarde III

19:“For every storm in life, for every darkest night, there is a light that shines.”

— Inspirational card by Christian Jett T. Morales

20:“Magtulung-tulong tayong lahat para makabangon.”

— Poster by a group of students in fourth-year high school

21:Beautiful artwork by Arial C. Laguing who wrote nothing but his name and this verse: “Be of good courage and He will strengthen your heart.”

— Psalm 31:24

22:Hope in a can: Feel free to do this in your relief ops too, a little encouragement goes a long way.

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These #LettersOfHope are placed inside relief bags sent out to the survivors of Yolanda. Hopefully these words of encouragement, especially coming from children, will embrace them with all the reassurance and love the world has to offer. Please feel free to do this too in your own relief operations.

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E-mail me at askiamsuperbianca@gmail.com or message me on Twitter @iamsuperbianca. Most heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Lani and Congressman Lino Cayetano of Taguig.