Gift yourself: Share your blessings!

Holabels! How is everyone? Are you done with your Christmas shopping? I haven't done mine. Actually I haven't started writing my list haha! Oh well I haven't gotten my funds yet for my shopping anyway, praying it'll a big one this year! (Keeping my fingers crossed!)

I can definitely smell the 13th month pay coming your pockets dear readers and ofcourse if

Because sharing is caring.

you have been following my recent posts, this is the third installment of what to gift yourself this Christmas. Now, my third recommendation, as the title suggests, is all about sharing your blessings, there is this old saying "It's better to give than to receive." and this is very true, it feels so much better when you are able to give to others. To put a smile on a face by way of gift giving is priceless, call me shallow, but come on it does make you feel good when you see people's eyes light up with delight when they open their gift.

Generosity, generates a feeling of satisfaction, and if you are the receiver it validates your existence, it makes you feel valued, this act of kindness creates a ripple effect that lasts in people's hearts.

So knowing how giving can lift people's moods, what more if you sponsor a charity event where you give to the marginalized members of our society? I asked some of my friends if they know any NGOs I can feature and I was referred to I am Manlalayag.

What started in November 2019 as a group chat for seafarers where they can get support on concerns about employment opportunities, trainings and documentation logistics, I am Manlalayag slowly transitioned amidst the COVID19 pandemic as a support group to help members cope up with the mental health challenges brought about by the pandemic.

The organization is spearheaded by King-al Santos a seafarer who has been in the maritime

industry for years. Having heard stories from his fellow seafarers about the hardships (emotional and mental) of having a family member struck by sickness, or in some cases fellow seafarers, really struck a chord, and this fuelled him to put I am Manlalayag into motion. At a period where everyone has the time to reassess their life and think of their past experiences, specially about looking after ill family members, the group realized how important it is to share hope and happiness when times are bad, small acts of kindness (even by listening to someone) can change one's mood and generate ripples of change.

To extend the support they have given one another to lift each other's spirits, they

A toddler undergoes treatment in PGH's Cancer Institute for Kids. Brave young warrior.

conceptualized Yakap Marino, a project designed to spark joy, foster hope, courage and give love to kids afflicted with HIV and cancer, causes very close to the heart of some seafaring members. Their very first outreach program was a collaboration with Gabay Sa Pulang Laso which helped them understand the challenges the PLHIV community faces. Their next outreach was a collaboration with The Project Red Ribbon's Duyan Program, a very moving experience which made them realize that HIV is a community problem and not just the individual involved, there is a lot of work that needs to be done in educating the public about awareness and this became a springboard for the team's next move.

Yakap Marino Outreach Program with the recipients.

I am Manlalayag Team

Dedicated volunteers and members setting up the outreach program.

Let kids be kids! A special Christmas party for kids with HIV and cancer. Hampers ready to be given away! Such generosity will definitely be rewarded!

King-al's team did not stop in simply organizing outreach programs to children, they also

went beyond giving hope to children, they equipped their members knowledge about HIV and cancer so they can share this information to family, friends and other organizations, helping people understand more about HIV, removing stigma to help people reintegrate back to society. Their efforts were paid off, last November 24, they became a finalist in Love Yourself's Ripple of Activation Awards.

This holiday season, let's give meaning to the song "Give Love on Christmas Day", I am

Manlalayag is here to spread love and hope to kids, please help them fund their advocacy. Yakap Marino will have another outreach this coming December 19, 2023, the beneficiaries are Cancer Institute for Kids - PGH, Bahay Aruga, Silungan ng Pagasa and Duyan Center.

You may get in touch with them and send your donations through the numbers below.

To know more about I am Manlalayag, please click HERE to be directed to their social media account.

Mother Teresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

I am Manlalayag has cast theirs already, cast yours and together create that ripple of change the world needs.

Have a meaning holiday everyone!

Love,

Tito Gary xxx

GALLERY: I am Manlalayag at work