7 years ago when i made my first trip to the Philippines i expected that my perspective of the world would change again forever... what i didn't expect was to have my heart completely stolen by the children of this country, in particular the boys of Cornerstone house.
One of the people with the biggest piece of my heart is a young lad called Vincent. He was 9 the first time i met him. Bubbling over with energy but comonly just misunderstood and mistaken for being plain naughty. When under the facad he is actually a creative, smart, caring, afectionate young boy. Every year i have looked forward to spending time with him. Encouraging him to strive for his full potential dispite the negativity he recieves from others around him. Constantly reminding him of his value and strengths. However one year ago he chose to leave Cornerstone and go live with two of his older bothers in Cebu City. It broke my heart to think that at 16 he had chosen to give up his oportunity to an education to live on the streets instead. And even selfishly that the kid i loved to pieces would no longer be around at cornerstone when i visit. Yesterday Vincent came with his older brother Vincente to visit James and I. He isnt working but his brothers take good care of him, so he looks happy and well. We spent the whole evening together laughing and giggling over old memories and even made plenty of new ones. At one point we were just browsing through the local Gaizano (shopping mall) but looked like we were having too good a time for people that were just "browing", the center sent a security guard to follow us around the shop.
(Left:Vincent and I in 2008- Right:an updated photo)
On that note let me tell you about Vicente too. Vicente along with Vincent, Abundio and Elvis make up the four Manzanilla boys that lived at Cornerstone. Their father abandoned them when the boys were very young. Elivis the oldest of them then took charge of the three younger brothers and raised them on the streets for couple of years before finaly coming to cornerstone. They came to cornestone when the youngest was only 6.
Over the last few years the older three of the boys have chosen to leave Cornerstone for various reasons. they had a rough start returning to living on the streets after living as part of an exteded famiy. This time however they all seem more settle and much more confident in them selves and what they wanted from life. The older two are working hard as labourers, living at the wearhouse that they work from. the boys work 7 days a week with a break only on sunday afternoon/evening, to do what ver they would like. Vicente is a happy more stable relationship and brought his partner Faith to meet us too. Faith is a perfect match for Vicente, with the same quiky sense of humor and outgoing personality. we are so happy he has found a relationship his happy in.
Unfortunately we did not get to see Elvis this time as he was spending his time off playing computergames. we did however get to say a brief "Hi!" the week before as his truck route went past Cornerstone as we out walking along the road. It was a plesant surprise to hear horns toot followed by an animated Elvis waving out the passengers side of the truck. Hi brothers were also able to fill us in on Elvis' general welbeing so we dont feel like we missed out too much.
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