A STORY OF A 12 YEAR OLD FILIPINO BOY WHO HAS NEVER BEEN TO A SHOPPING MALL OR TACLOBAN DOWN TOWN

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Background

I built a house in this barangay in the Dulag Area 4 years ago. A family were living on the land next store which was potentially up for sale. So the family were there and not too sure of their future.

After typhoon Yolanda they received a grant for simple housing and my wife and I decided it would be ok for them to build this house at the back of our land.

This family has five children now. The father works for Poppa on the rice land helping with planting, harvest and crop maintenance. So all works out quite well.

So I have seen the children grow up in this 4 year period. The eldest son is Yan Yan a 12 year old boy. He offers to help around the house and go to the sari sari store if we need anything. So a good help. He as most children likes TV and when it is ok no problem with him watching TV.

Yan Yan has never been to a shopping Mall at 12 Years of age

Talking to my wife one evening it was mentioned Yan Yan had only been to Tacloban City and never been in a shopping mall. I was amazed but there are many children in this barangay (village) who never get to Tacloban City. We are 35 km away to down town Tacloban

So the next day we had our shopping day at Robinsons Mall in Tacloban City and decided to take Yan Yan along. He was very excited and a big day for him. To see the look on his face in Robinsons Mall wow.

Getting around Robinsons he appeared a bit overwhelmed  with all the stores and places to eat. Funny was the use of an escalator and he appeared very fearful until he realized all was safe and ok.

As a foreigner we take things for granted

As a foreigner we takes things for granted. Taking this young Filipino shopping might not appear like a big deal. If you could see the look in his eyes and expressions it definitely was a big event from his perspective
















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