The desire to help comes from a desire to share with those who have less in life, without expecting anything in return. It becomes harder to give when times are hard. This is sad because this is when people need help the most.
Here are some wonderful women who have given unconditionally to others who have less in this life.
Nina Teves, grandmother of two: I like to help my household helpers. I live alone and the only way I can thank them is by being there when they need me. They are the ones who help me, and because they serve me well, I feel I should return the favor. My other forms of charity are listening to the problems of others, especially the poor. By giving them my time and giving them advice, hopefully I am able to make their load lighter. In return, it makes me realize how blessed and lucky I am. Aside from giving donations here and there, I also help those who want to enter the priesthood.
Ching Montinola, former legislative liaison officer of then President Fidel Ramos: My favorite charity is myself. How can you spread happiness to others when you yourself are not happy? I believe that if you love yourself, you can exude more happiness and beauty towards others.
Chit Salud, owner, JVC Sound Systems: Sick people. At present, I’m helping a cancer patient – the yaya of my granddaughter – by buying her medicines. In our town in Liliw, Laguna, I try to help my poor townmates who are sick.
Tereret Liboro, civic-minded lady: My favorite charity is helping handicapped children at Elsie Gaches Village. I donated two pavilions to Elsie Gaches and each houses 50 children or 100 children in all! I don’t have children of my own but God has blessed me with 100 children to take care of.
Linda Pastoral, owner, Ohrelle: I really don’t like to give just for the sake of giving. I would rather share with groups which offer livelihood programs. As it says in the Bible, instead of giving people fish, teach them how to fish. So what I do is join outreach programs. I’m currently chairperson of the Catholic Women’s Club. I am also actively involved with the ZONTA Club of Pasig where we have a lot of outreach programs and give scholarships to deserving students.
Fortune Ledesma, Honorary Consul of Monaco: Streetchildren, abandoned babies. Anything that has to do with children. I’ve always had a soft spot for them. This is probably my way of thanking the Lord for giving me children.
Mabel Abano, executive vice president, Manila Hearing Aid Center and director, Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled Inc.: Helping the disabled is my favorite charity. This is why I’m very much involved with the Philippine Foundation for the Disabled which I joined in 1991. I choose to help the disabled because my daughter is an audiologist. She helps hearing-impaired people.
Tessie Rodrigo, owner, Pietro Collection: My husband and I are with Couples for Christ. We are also actively involved in Ugnayan which helps uplift the religious values of couples in the depressed areas of Caloocan. We’re also trying to refurbish the houses of the poor by painting them. We call the project Benetton Village because we use attractive colors. The project also includes the installation of toilets in the homes.
Glenda Barretto, owner, Via Mare: My favorite charity is Bantay Bata. I’m very much involved in it. I see the kids, experience them and it feels good to be able to do something for them.