Make a Child Smile Campaign
Last 08 December 2005, more than 100 young cancer patients, ages ranging from 4 years old to teenagers, went to watch Repertory Philippines’ The Emperor’s New Clothes together with some family members at Onstage Greenbelt, an event made possible through donations given by generous spirits.
A kind soul, continuing the Make a Child Smile campaign started 4 years ago by presently Disneyland Hong Kong based Ampy Siete Reales, was all smiles as he watched the children and the adults enjoy themselves. The local government of Makati also helped out by providing transportation to and from the hospital.
Another donor, on the other hand, kindly sponsored the meals at Max’s restaurant in Greenbelt. As everyone happily munched away, I volunteered to co-host the party with Max’s host Felice.
Prizes, once again courtesy of Max’s restaurant, were given away to lucky audience members who were able to come up with the correct answers to kiddie related questions. Chickieboy, the mascot of Max’s restaurants, delighted the audience with his dance, and merrily posed for pictures with the kids.
A run down of theatre etiquette proved that the children knew what to do once inside Onstage, and they made sure to follow the rules even while waiting for the show to begin. And pretty soon they were engrossed in the tale of an emperor’s search for tailors to sew his new clothes for the next day’s parade.
The familiar tale was made more interesting by having the actors dress up as animals; such as the emperor was a pig, the empress was an elephant, their son was a rooster, his soon to be wife was a sheep, and the court was composed of a cat, a rabbit, a wolf and a quartet of pages.
The children energetically participated when they were asked to, belying their real physical condition. At the end of the show, they full heartedly joined in a surprise Happy Birthday song for actress Enchang Kaimo, who also celebrated her last performance as the Empress before flying off to the US.
Despite her hectic schedule, she found time to send me a SMS that said, “I would just like you to know that… I was blessed you greeted me and made the kids sing for me… Thank you!”
A Repertory Philippines regular was so moved she donated books on the spot to Philippine General Hospital’s social workers Loida Dee-Noble and Karen Carranza, headed by Beng Soriano.
If you wish to donate food, medicine or clothes to PGH’s pediatric cancer ward, you may contact Loida at 0921.2072318 or Jing at 893.4098, and help bring a smile to a child’s face.
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