Ayala Corporation, in coordination with Ayala Foundation and Virlanie Foundation, hosted a free tour at Ayala Museum, where more than a hundred children from Bagong Silangan in Quezon City and Parola in Manila City were given a chance to marvel at Filipino culture, art, and history.
"Natuwa po ako sa gold exhibit dahil nakita ko na sobrang yaman pala ng mga ninuno natin (I was happy at the gold exhibit because there I realized how wealthy our ancestors are)," said Karelle Bines of Parola. "Sobrang na-amaze din po ako sa painting ni Juan Luna. Nakakatuwa po dahil nakita ko siya sa personal (I was also very amazed by Juan Luna’s painting. It’s delightful that I saw it in person)."
Majority of the 130 children who participated in the free tour came from the most vulnerable communities covered by Virlanie Foundation. For most of them, this was their first time to see Makati's Central Business District and enter a museum.
Rana Dantes of Parola even said in jest, "Masaya po ako na nakarating ako dito. Ang ganda po ng mga nasa paligid ko. Parang ayoko na pong umuwi (I’m glad that I got here. I’m surrounded by beautiful things. I don’t want to go home anymore)."
"It's important for these kids to see that there's a bigger world outside their communities, na may ganito palang mga lugar sa Pilipinas (that there are places like this in the Philippines). It inspires them to dream bigger," said Catherine Napalan, social worker of Virlanie Foundation.
Aside from the free tour, the children also received gift packs from Ayala Corporation. "Maraming salamat po sa regalo ninyo," (Thank you very much for your gift) said Darlyn Ramos of Bagong Silangan. "Balang araw po, babalik ako dito sa Ayala Museum kasama ang mga kapatid ko (One day, I will visit Ayala Museum with my siblings)."