A Breeze of Good Deeds # 26: Boy Lobo

It was New Year’s Eve - the day of the year when I’m so excited yet very scared at the same time. I mostly stay at the first floor of our house because I’m so paranoid that a stray bullet could kill me. Of course, going outside was definitely out of the equation. So I went berserk when my mother told me that we needed to claim our Jollibee freebies courtesy of our BPI credit cards. Next to my worry that I’d end up with an asthma attack at the first day of the year, I was more petrified at the thought that I’d end up losing a part of my body because I stepped on a firecracker or somebody threw it my way. But I had no choice so I blindly followed my mom’s request while frowning and dragging my feet on our way to Jollibee.

After waiting for a few minutes, our freebies arrived. We signed some forms and left. I didn’t notice it. My mother mumbled something I couldn’t understand. Then she said something again. I asked what she was saying. Then she replied, “Kawawa naman yung bata.” I asked who it was. She pointed to a certain direction. I anxiously wanted to leave the place right away so my focus was clouded. It took me almost half a minute to spot the boy holding the balloons.


My mother then told me that she wants to buy a balloon. She said that she’d give it to Zoe, my seven-month old niece. I told her that it’s not a good idea. I was rushing her but she insisted. I told her to buy one and give it to Ashley instead.

I saw a dark-skinned boy who is probably twelve years old. He looks like he’s bored as he was sitting in front of Jollibee. He was holding more than twenty colorful balloons. He was staring blankly at the frantic people who are doing some last minute preparations for the New Year. He was probably thinking how long he needs to stay outside. He was probably wishing that he’s playing just like the other kids his age. He was probably wondering whether the next year would be better for him.

My mom approached and asked how much a balloon costs. He said, “Forty pesos po.” My mom asked me to choose. If it was for me, I’d pick the Angry Birds balloon. But I settled with Snow White. The boy’s face lightened up with heartfelt happiness as my mom gave him forty pesos. My mom said, "Ayan, para naman may benta ka."

And then we went away, with plastic bags full of Jollibee freebies and a colorful Snow White balloon.

So what is special about my story?

My mom is a very workaholic person. She has very high respect for people who work hard for a living. If the child was asking for alms, my mom (and even I) would think twice. There are times when I think that my job is too boring, or that I’m doing something that wasn’t my real calling. But each time I see someone like Boy Lobo, I realize that I’m taking a lot of God’s blessings for granted.

We should all learn from the story of Boy Lobo.

We live a very fast-paced life. We follow schedules. We meet deadlines. And since we’re always in a hurry, we don’t have the time to look beyond our needs. We neglect to notice that somebody might need our help.

Other than always being on the go, our fears and cynicism also get in the way. I know that the bible says, “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” But there are times when we choose to help those people who only pass our standards of being kawawa. There are also times when we hold back at helping others for fear that they may take advantage of our generosity.

I’m not a hypocrite. I admit that I’m guilty of all of these. That’s why I’m still a work in progress. :)

So when you go out today, why don’t you slow down and try making a random act of kindness? Hold the door for an office mate. Offer your bus seat to an old lady. Reach out to a sick neighbor. Your options are limitless!

Game?! :)