Pictures Of Pearls

A mission not so impossible

MANILA, Philippines — No matter how poor, dirty or hungry these children are, they refer to them as their children. In return, these kids from the slums of Sitio Damayan in Tondo, Manila fondly call them Daddy Peegee and Mommy Melissa.

For almost a year now, Peegee, Melissa, and their “children’’ have become a truly big, happy family whenever they visit them at the dumpsite and charcoal factory known as Ulingan. Unlike most charity organizations doing work in the Smokey Mountain Phase 2 area, Peegee and Melissa’s Photo Kalye and Project PEARLS have been extending a more sustainable, transformative and personal approach to their mission in Ulingan.

Second parents

For one, the kids jump up and cling to Peegee and Melissa whenever they arrive, eagerly anticipating the goods they carry with them, be it food, medical supplies, clothing or whatever it is they feel are needed by the more than 300 children living in the place.

Apart from the feeding activity every Saturday, Project PEARLS and Photo Kalye also hold birthday parties for the kids who rarely get to celebrate their birthdays. The parties, are among the most-awaited events at the Ulingan as they come complete with a magic show, food including ice cream and cakes, as well as a program with dance and song numbers performed by the kids themselves. The kids are also occasionally treated to field trips to watch PBA basketball games and Eat Bulaga, or to eat at fastfood restaurants.

Yet more than these simple joys, it is the shower of kisses, hugs, and genuine love and care that endear these complete strangers to the children who consider them as their second parents.

“Lahat ng mga bata dito, mga babies ko. Pag wala akong ginagawa, I just come here, play with the kids or visit them at the daycare. Gusto nga namin iadopt some of the kids pero nakakatuwa din kasi ayaw ibigay ng mga parents. We’ve developed a deeper kind of relationship with the kids and their families. Yung emotional attachment namin at pagmamahal sa mga bata, it’s already there kaya mahirap nang iwan,” reveals Peegee Silo, president of Photo Kalye, a Flickr-based group of photographers.

For Melissa Villa, president of San Francisco, California-based Project PEARLS, her life has never been the same again since she met the kids at Ulingan.

“I think we earned the respect and love of the children because we treat them like our own. Sabi nila ang daming nagpupunta dito pero kami lang ‘yung dumidito. Whenever I return to the States, I am overcome with grief and loneliness for having to leave these kids. But they send me letters, cards, and even call me. Yung isa hindi nag brebreakfast para makatawag sa akin. Sana daw hindi na ako bumalik sa States para hindi na siya umiiyak sa gabi,” shares Villa who knows almost all of the kids by heart.

Ride Recap 6.24.2011 — A summary in pictures « Boots and Pearls

My idea of a wild and crazy night is practicing some wicked awesome trail obstacles on one of my lovely whinnies :)Positioned for perfect sidepass practice! :0)There’s something SO refreshing about having re-claimed (and therefore re-organized) my tackroom for myself!Positioned for perfect sidepass practice! :0)Positioned for perfect sidepass practice! :0)

The superstar himself! (And in case you're wondering what he's thinking of in this picture, I think he was contemplating how long it would be before the shrieking neighbor children went to bed and the world again returned to peace. hehe)There's something SO refreshing about having re-claimed (and therefore re-organized) my tackroom for myself!Positioned for perfect sidepass practice! :0)There's something SO refreshing about having re-claimed (and therefore re-organized) my tackroom for myself!

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