On April 28, 2012, I will turn 30 years old. To celebrate this milestone, I have decided to start a 100 Days Project. A challenge to blog each day for 100 days until my birthday. The blog post may be about anything but mostly magical memories from the past 30 years. And this is my first post.

Last year, two months before I turned 29, I joined the Junior Chamber International (JCI). My chapter is JCI Davaoena Daba Daba. With this participation and the influence of my Mommy, I decided to celebrate my birthday in a different manner.

My Mommy, you see, always takes time to celebrate her birthday with kids from the Waterlily Foundation. I, on the other hand, decided to celebrate my birthday with the kids of the DS Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit organization that provides education for kids with Down Syndrome. The DS Foundation is one of the partner organizations and beneficiaries of Daba Daba.

About 2 months before my birthday, I picked a date to have a party at DS Foundation and called on all my relatives and friends to share their time and resources for the celebration. And I was very happy by the response. A loooot of them gave food, funds, giveaways, and their own time.

The celebration began with the kids enjoying free haircuts and hair styling by the fab team of Hairs and Nails Salon led by Buddy Congson. The rest of the afternoon was spent making chika and eating food by Trellis n Vines and Chippens Catering. Ice cream was shared by Crepelato Gelato and cake was given by my own Mommy.

The room was made beautiful with pink and purple balloons and decor by Karla Singson. While lots, lots, looooots, of giveaways were prepared and handed out by my relatives, friends, and clients. Each kid brought home a bag, notebooks and other school supplies, coloring books, candies, and toys. It was like they went shopping.

It was an amazing humbling experience to spend my special day with people who have so much generosity that they gave without asking for anything in return. Truly, a testament to the kindness of people.

And yes, it was so overwhelming to be spending it with 20 kids whom I have never met yet they enthusiastically celebrated the day with me. I look forward to spending more days with them as our organization continues to be their sponsor.

This year, I’ll be celebrating my 30th birthday with my JCI family as we hold our Area Council Meeting here in Davao City on April 28, 2012. And during this occasion, I have been given the privilege to launch the Liter of Light project here in Davao City.

So in lieu of a birthday celebration, I will be helping provide light to some communities here in Davao City. And I wish to solicit everybody’s support in making this event successful. I will be posting more details on how you can help… soon! 🙂

Again, I would like to thank the following for making last year’s celebration unique and relevant:

• Mommy and Daddy, Marianne, John, and Mae Bonguyan
• Ate Ve and kids, Kuya Andrew, Ate Ina and Greggy, Ate Jo and Omo
• JCI Davaoena Daba Daba ladies, Anna Lim, Divine Magtoto and Trellis n Vines, Ate Leah Librado, Sheila Fortich, Lyn Llanillo, Lani Abapo, Tan Sy and Kuya Tic, Ana Grace, Tootchie Alpiz
• Tita Evelyn Congson, Donna, Buddy, and the lovely staff of Envy Me Salon and Hairs and Nails Salon
• Karla Singson, Miah Laborte and Rhon de los Santos, April San Pedro
• Orman Manansala
• Chino San Jose and Chippens Catering
• Mr Gerry and Ms Victoria Evangelista and Crepelato
• Dagny, Faith, and the Suenos
• Atty and Mrs Sipaco and the staff, kids, and parents of the DS Foundation

I am hoping this year’s celebration will again, bring out the generosity and bayanihan spirit in all of us.