I often repeat this line to myself whenever I put together things to be given away. Almost each year, I go through my cabinets and drawers, looking for things I don’t need anymore. Yesterday, New Year’s eve, I also went through old things in the bodega (warehouse) at the back of the house. I didn’t realize we’ve “amassed” quite a number of old clothes, shoes, toys, books, and old magazines until I segregated them to make it easier for me to decide which will go where.

For the books and magazines, I’ve decided that they will go to a library in some elementary school. The Ahon Foundation could help me on that.

The toys will be distributed next weekend to a detention center for boys at the back of the Quezon City Hall. Yes, you read correctly, it’s a detention center for boys who committed crimes (e.g. murder), but have not yet or could not be convicted because, well, they’re boys! They’re minors! Why give toys to underage offenders, some might wonder. To begin with, they probably wouldn’t kill or steal or lie if they experienced a happy childhood in the first place. (Let’s rest this for another blog entry.)

Regarding the old clothes, I brought many of them to a religious sister who I met in the compound of the Divine Word Seminary (along E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City). Actually, she didn’t ask for them. I met her last Sunday when I heard mass, and I befriended her. During our conversation, she told me their convent/ congregation is located in Antipolo, Rizal. “Nasa bundok,” was how she described it.

I can’t drive that far, I told her. (Actually, I don’t want to drive that far.) She readily agreed to bring a vehicle today, and that’s how I was able to dispose not just clothes, but sundry items that collected through the years. This convent supports three unwed mothers, one of who gave birth last 24th of December. The other mom-to-be will give birth in February. Sister also told me they support displaced members of the Manobo tribe. They also take care of children!

One of them is Angela, a happy and pretty girl of seven years old. She was with sister last Sunday, and she was with them again this morning. Sister told me that Angela doesn’t have a mother. Her grandmother left her in the care of the sisters when she was all of two months old. You should see Angela! She’s energetic and optimistic, and she wears a toothless grin! Hehe. Meaning, the baby teeth have been knocked out, and the permanent teeth should set in soon.

Angela readily dug into the boxes and plastic bags I left in their van. “Look a toothbrush,” she exclaimed. “What a pretty belt,” she said while holding a skinny gold belt that looks faded to me, but shines like the sun to her. And on she went until one of the sisters berated her for digging in too soon. I didn’t mind the fuss; I should’ve taken photos of Angela’s bright face as she pulled each surprise from the bags.

We, in Multiply, are very lucky many times over. We have jobs, hobbies, and pursuits that cost a lot. We also have supportive families and friends whom we can readily run to for help. While it’s kind of hard to part with things we don’t need, much less hard to dissuade ourselves from buying the next must-have gadget or blouse or pair of shoes, at least think how happy you can make someone who needs them more. Never mind if they’re used or “butas” or “kupas” or “di na uso.”

One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.