The little things that make Aga happy

Since April this year, Aga has chosen to stay away from the limelight to spend time with his wife and kids. However, he broke his rest mode to shoot his part for the Jollibee MaAga ang Pasko TV commercial, a part he plays pro-bono, year after year, to bring a smile on children’s faces.

“Isn’t it a nice feeling, when someone helps you out or cheers you up?” he says. “Sa totoo lang, kamustahin lang ako, ipagluto lang ako ng asawa ko, o batiin lang ako, napakasaya ko na. Malaking bagay na sa akin ‘yun. Those little things make me happy, and I’d like to pay it forward by making more people happy in my own way.”

In the past 14 years, Aga has been doing exactly that. His brainchild campaign with Jollibee has evolved into the biggest and longest-running toy-and-book donation drive in the country, and it continues to get support from companies, groups and individuals who want to spread hope and cheer to Filipino kids.

Aga’s pet project gets even bigger this year as it offers new ways for people to support MaAga ang Pasko. Apart from just dropping toys and books at those colorful MaAga ang Pasko boxes in Jollibee stores, one can sign up as a Jolly Toy Scout through partner schools. Jolly Toy Scouts are grade school students who have committed to help fill up sacks of MaAga ang Pasko with toys and books.

Another way is to purchase the limited edition Hug and Share doll at Jollibee stores nationwide for P300 with any food or drink purchase. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the beneficiaries of the MaAga ang Pasko program.

 “As people grow, the more they want to help others. Pero kasama diyan yung realization that you can’t help everyone,” says Aga. “But I believe that whatever little thing we do and whatever little help that we offer can be a big thing for someone else.”

Aga, however, downplays his role in the MaAga ang Pasko campaign, insisting that he’s just a conduit for teaching kids — recipients and donors alike — about generosity.

“I believe that if children are happy, then it’s automatic. Dala na nila ‘yung positive outlook and they will grow up to be good members of the community. They will find it easy to share and easy to help others.”

Aga hopes the example he and wife set will rub off on twins Atasha and Andres: “When they see us and we are always smiling, being good to people and never fighting, then they will become like that also.”

Already, his son and daughter have learned to share and not fight over toys, even though they are at that stage where most kids argue about toys. According to Aga, he and Charlene do not give the kids every toy they ask for. Thus, Atasha and Andres have learned to appreciate what toys they have.

“Gusto ko maranasan nila kung gaano kasarap mag-hope at mangarap,” says he. “Iba yung meron silang something to look forward to every day, to say ‘I hope to have one someday.’ So when we give them kahit one of the toys lang, ang saya-saya na nila. It’s great to see how their eyes shine with happiness.”