Tiny hands, big hearts: Grade 5 students donate savings to help Manila community
Grade 5 students from Paco Catholic School personally handed their savings, coins, and bills they had patiently collected from their allowances over several months, to support the initiatives of the Manila local government.
Grade 5 students of Paco Catholic School personally hand over their jars filled with months of savings to Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso to help the city’s initiatives. (Photo courtesy of Manila Public Information Office)
Accompanied by their parents and teachers, they proudly presented jars filled with months of savings, showing that even at a young age, anyone can contribute to solving society’s challenges.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso was deeply touched and pleasantly surprised by the gesture.
"Ang babata pa ninyo. Isang bagay na dapat tularan ng mga kabataan sa Lungsod ng Maynila. Kahit bata pa tayo, maaari tayong maging bahagi ng solusyon sa mga suliranin ng lipunan. (You are so young. This is something the youth of Manila should emulate. Even at a young age, we can be part of the solution to society’s problems). We can do our share," the mayor said.
Class adviser Ryan Christopher Demapanag shared that the idea came directly from the students.
"Nakakatuwang makita na sa murang edad ay marunong nang magmalasakit sa kapwa ang ating mga kabataang Manileño (It’s heartwarming to see that at such a young age, our young Manileños already know how to care for others)," Domagoso also said.
Demapanag shared that, as the school year drew to a close, the students took it upon themselves to save their leftover allowances and donate them to help their fellow young Manileños.
The mayor added that their contribution may seem small, but it carries a powerful lesson in compassion, generosity, and bayanihan.
"Maliit man sa paningin ng iba, malaking aral ito ng malasakit at bayanihan. Tulad ng inyong mga magulang at guro, ipinagmamalaki ko kayo. Patuloy kayong maging inspirasyon sa kapwa ninyo kabataan (Though it may seem small to some, this is a big lesson in care and community spirit. Like your parents and teachers, I am proud of you. Continue to inspire your fellow youth)."