first 6 years continued 3

For a grown up one of the happiest memories would be to recall the loving affection that a mother had towards him, this I had for my godparents. I loved my godparents to them I owed my very existence, they indeed where so caring. I remember the time I was brought to the carnival with my sister, by the way, I called the children of my godparents my brothers and sisters. How I loved riding the ferries wheel and the merry go round, I had toys to play with being shown all the care and love I ever wanted. Even now as I type this few sentences I cant help the tears trickling down my cheek, Im no sentimentalist, but even then as I remember this incidents I cant help heaving deep sighs. If I had remained with them my life now would have been happpier. But such was not the case. A time came when I had to say goodbye to this happiness, my god parents under command took me to the aforementioned community of course in the hope that I would be in better hands. Little did they realize what 'tomorrow' would bring. To be honest I was not a PERFECT boy my childhood had its defects. For catholics we believe all men were born with original sin, this is washed away by the sacrament of BAPTIZM. However,the tendency to sin is still there and this tendency is controlled by good parenting. To return to my subject, I was so hard to feed. Oh, I recall spending hours at table with a plate of oatmeal infront of me,with my mouth full and my throat just wouldnt swallow. Hahaha, now the contrary every meal would be a feast. In their care for me my godparents would force me to eat, and I would understand if I felt an occasional slap on my cheek. It was only at my 11th year did i finally learn how to eat. Now as I have mentioned earlier, I was brought to the aforementioned community and my second 6 years will soon unfold...

first 6 years continued...

'Whatever is molded in the heart of a child never leaves him til he grows old'. GREAT CARE is very crucial in the upbringing of children, a child is a gift from God and like all gifts it must be treasured. Im no expert in child upbringing, but from my experience it is worth more than books. When i recall my life, I cant help heaving deep sighs. Many a night would be spent in asking myself ' What is God's plan for me'? Why did God allow us to experience the experiences which would effect a lifetime. Every human being ever created by God is unique; whoever he or she may be, Whatever be his race. creed or language. Therefore our experiences to, are unlike though probably having similarities.

THE FIRST 6 YEARS

Hello, Im JUANde Dios and i want to introduce the story of my life. I was born in Manila, at the JUAN DE DIOS hospital. My parents I never knew, abandoned by my parents I was brought up by my godparents the DIZON FAMILY. These where the years of my innocence, an innocence so deplorably lost as I reached my 11th year. Only God knows how happy I would have been if I never have lost such a grace. The love lavished upon me by my God parents was most touching. Unfortunately, Iv lost most to memory. Remember your childhood would be a frequent theme of Father Odon de Castro, but sadly to say it were not all pleasant ones. In time I was brought by my godparents to the newly founded CARYANA comunity. It was here in this community that the course of my life would evolve for the next 25 years.