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Gracias ♥

During one of the activities in our teambuilding last month, we were asked to share about our greatest accomplishment. 

Honestly, I couldn't think of any because I have never accomplished anything I consider significant for the past 30 years of my life. Such a waste, huh? Seriously, I think all of my so-called "accomplishments" were just normal, little milestones. I mean they can all be achieved by everybody else, so there's nothing I could really boast of. 

And so I told Kuya Rommel (who was my partner during the activity), "wala pa po sa ngayon, pero kung ma-pull off ko po yung fundraising activity (my goal is to raise at least Php100k sa screening ng Moana) for Raia, siguro po yun na." 
The first ever event poster. ♥

 I will not forget that fateful day, October 25, Tuesday. 

Paolo just called to wake me up (he is my alarm clock when I need to wake up earlier than usual). And I was still struggling to get out of bed when I read the text message from Mars. I immediately got up and couldn't help but panic. Kung pwede lang lumipad para makarating agad sa hospital.

I arrived just in time before Mars was called at the NICU. The doctor wanted to talk to her. The moment I learned about the situation, I couldn't stop thinking of ways to help, especially financially. Good thing, I was not alone. 

Days after, we formed a group (composed of Ray and Marianne's wedding entourage) and brainstormed. Until we came up with several ideas, including the movie screening... of Moana. 

On November 2, I sent an email to a film distributor. They responded at first but after my second email, they no longer responded. 

Nine days after, on November 11, I sent an email directly to SM Cinema. Mr. Alvin Beltran called me up later in that afternoon to discuss the terms, and right there and then, we sealed the deal. 

Fast forward to yesterday, November 30, the actual screening. 

Paolo, Maybel, and I came early to set up and the SM Cinema staff assigned to Cinema 6 were all kind enough to help us. And we received one good news after another. It was just so overwhelming! 

We're all set! ♥ Thank you, Superman! ♥

I've said too much already so at this point, let me just "roll the credits". 

First of all, thank You God!!! For everything! It was all from You, the ideas, the resources, the people, everything! So THANK YOU LORD!!! ♥♥♥

To Ate Alma who gave me the contact emails of Ms. Haidie and Sir Alvin, thank you so much, Ate!

To Sir Alvin of SM Cinema who was just so accommodating and understanding of our limitations, thank you, Sir! Just to share, they were kind enough to reserve the cinema for us even without initial downpayment. They gave us enough time to sell tickets and collect payments so we could also pay them. Plus they're always available everytime we call. I know they're super busy but they respond to our every inquiry and I am just so grateful. Sir Alvin, you and your team are such a blessing!

To Kuya from UP where I printed the tickets. Super thank you for cutting them as well, for free!!! 
Truly a labor of love. ♥

 To the people of SM Cinema who at the last minute decided to give the whole cinema to us and gave us time to hold a little program, nakakakilig po kayo! Thank you for your generosity!!!


Nakakakilig po talaga! ♥

Super parents, Ray & Mars Mayol! ♥

To the #ForTheLoveOfRaia Core Team: Maybel, Maila, Cham, Nica, Donelle, Paolo, Ronald... and everybody else who worked hard to promote the event and sell tickets, thank you guys!!!!!!!!!!! Majo, kasali ka rito!!! Thank you, sweet! ♥

Team blue for the win! 
To my CFC-SFC Family (not just in East A and in GMC, but all over Metro Manila and Luzon)... I am just so speechless. Thank you for your love and support! Your prayers are everything! Thank you so so much! 

Ate Barts, Chelsea, grabe lang. Nag-uumapaw ang pasasalamat ko sa inyo!!! 
I hope you enjoyed the movie, baby boy! ♥
To the families who supported, mga kumpare, kumare, at inaanak, salamat po!!! Happy kami na nakapag-family bonding kayo at nag-enjoy ang kids, at nakatulong pa kayo kay baby Raia! ♥ At ang sayang reunion din!!! Salamat talaga sa pagpunta!
  • Kuya Shok & Ate Carel Ariola (and kids)
  • Kuya Rhed & Ate Julie Dizon (and kids)
  • Kuya John & Ate Leah Gayundato (and Anya)
  • Daddy Mike & Mommy Yet (and kids)
  • Shezha & Amira
  • Loi & Marga
From SFC to CFC, thank you so much!!! 

Thank you, East A family! ♥

Isang dekadang samahan!!! And two kids after. :D

My other "second parents" who were so delighted to finally meet my Superman. ♥

And to all of you who prayed for Raia, bought the tickets just because you wanted to help, braved the traffic and the stressful search for parking... thank you so very much! You are true heroes! And we will be forever grateful for you!!!

Special thanks to Celine & Roan who just saw the post on Facebook and decided to come to help! Nakakaiyak kayo!!! Super thank you!!! Good Samaritans do exist!!! 

Thank you too to Christian who knew nobody else in the crowd but still came to watch and help baby Raia. You're living up to your name, brother! Thank you!

While there are people who questioned, doubted, and gave some not-so-nice comments, there is everyone else who went their way and just chose to LOVE (without conditions, without questions, without knowing all the details). Thank you so much awesome people!!! Humanity is not doomed, because you still exist! 


THANK YOU will never be enough. But that's all I could say right now. 

I am just so overwhelmed. Iba kayo! Iba ka, Lord! MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT PO!!! ♥♥♥

Just to update you, Raia is getting stronger everyday, thanks to your prayers! She is now, 1.28kgs! And she cries too loud that her nurse even commented, "hindi ka na preterm baby, baby girl ka na talaga!" #Kilig

Thank You, Mama Mary!!! For clothing Raia with your mantle of protection, and for interceding for our prayers especially for her. ♥

On November 26, we went to Regina RICA, and offered a special prayer
for baby Raia and for the success of our fundraising event.

Thank You, St. Joseph!!! You are such a powerful intercessor!
The novena to St. Joseph is so effective! ♥

 Thank You, St. Raphael, Raia's guardian angel. 

THANK YOU GOD, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!!! ♥


***

This is just the start! To more successes and answered prayers! ♥
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