How Judy Ann Santos and Other Celebs Spread Birthday Kindness

We put a little aside every year for our children’s birthday celebrations, whether we’re planning something simple at home or big and grand somewhere else. Why? Because these are the days we want our children to look back on as some of the happiest. 

Memorable birthday celebrations aren’t only spent in hotel ballrooms and event spaces. Yohan Agoncillo, the eldest daughter of Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo, had her 12th birthday at Elsie Gaches Village, a home for special needs kids and kids with developmental disorders. Celebrating with her were all the kids at the home, her mom and dad, her little brother Lucho and baby sister Luna along with a spectacular unicorn cake and boxes upon boxes of donations.  

She’s not the only celebrity youngster who gave back on her special day. The 18th birthday is a special one for Filipina young women and to make the most out of it, Dolce Amore actress Liza Soberano had several parties to mark occasion. This included a party at the Chosen Children Foundation, a home for mentally or physically challenged children, and Anawim Lay Missions Foundation, a home for abandoned elderly. 

Further back, Camp Sawi actress and owner of multiple cats Bela Padilla chose to spend her 24th with animals! With bags of pet food and animal hygiene necessities, Bela visited Philippine Animal Welfare and Society (PAWS) headquarters for a day of furry fun. 

IMAGE thepulse.ph 

Raise an empathetic, kind and caring child by providing her with opportunities to reach out and help others. Dr. Padilla Walker, associate director of Brigham Young University’s School of Family Life, explained in a research brief that volunteering for a meaningful cause is key to developing a child's ability to act on empathetic feelings. 

“Empathy is a skill that experts from many disciplines have deemed important for personal, relationship and career success,” psychiatrist Dr. David Sack writes in Huffington Post. “People who are empathic tend to have better social interactions, academic performance and accomplishments at work than others.” 

Plus, volunteering also creates a good opportunity to learn about gratitude which can help you raise an unmaterialistic child. 

Give your child the opportunity to experience the deeper sense of happiness and fulfilment that comes with sharing and reaching out. Throw her a party she’ll treasure forever and watch as the joy spreads around! Consider celebrating at or donating to these charitable organizations:

It's children's party!
Bahay Maria
95 Amapola Street, Bel-Air 2 Village, Makati City
890-4539
A residential facility for street children 

Concordia Children’s Services
4443 Old Sta. Mesa Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila
713-3462
A center that provides care for abandoned or neglected children

CRIBS Foundation
681-5291
An alternative home environment for abandoned, surrendered and neglected children from infants to preschoolers

Missionaries of Charity: Home of Joy
255 - 0832
A home for sick children and the elderly managed by religious sisters from Missionaries of Charity, a congregation established by Mother Teresa

Call on the Flash, Batman and Hercules for a super party at the hospital!
Jolly Roger Rogers
the.jolly.roger.rogers@gmail.com
A group of character- and superhero-costumed volunteers whose aim is to bring magic and laughter to children’s cancer wards through visits and events

Got a mini-Messi? Let him play a game of football with new friends!
Dream Big Philippines
0917-853-7572
An organization offering football, academic and scholarship programs for underprivileged kids 

Have your child’s birthday in a different classroom for a change
Mano Amiga
manoamigaph.org
A school, founded in 2008, which provides quality education for children who can’t afford it

A day of play on your child's special day
The Philippine Toy Library
0917-318-2795; info@toylibraryph.com
facebook.com/PhilippineToyLibrary
An organization that builds safe, clean and stocked toy libraries for underprivileged children

Don't keep Lolos and Lolas from the fun!
San Lorenzo Ruiz Home for the Elderly
50-B Lancaster Street, Pasay City
832-9689, 832-2975, 0939-375-1362
A home for the aged run by the congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor

Here's just the place for your little animal-lover
Adoptable Me
0917-866-2496
Animal shelter for abandoned cats and dogs

Donate away!
The Kris Library
9 Doña Isidora Street, Don Antonio Heights, Diliman, Quezon City
0917-329-4503
An NGO devoted to making education more accessible to underprivileged youth

Gentle Hands, Inc.
27 F. Castillo Street, Project 4, Cubao, Quezon City
contact@gentlehands.org
A child and youth welfare agency that provides medical, social, and educational rehabilitation for at-risk children