Adoption

Adoption, in the literal sense means having to take in a child or person who is not related to you by blood, and registering that person formally as a part of your family.

This word reminds me of an old joke or remark coming from my parents back then. “Adopted kalang”, they would say when the mood is light or fitting. I never understood the concept of why “being adopted” is associated with “being different”.  When I was young and naïve, the word “ampon” sounded so harsh to the ears. Even up until now, when someone uses the word “ampon” or the remark “ampon kalang”, it sounds very degrading (and rather offensive).

The stigma present in adoption today runs rampant and I believe that parents must educate their children to change this mindset.

I believe that adoption is /not/ a negative thing at all. Rather, I see adoption as a calling for selected parents who have a heart big enough to take in a child whom they are not related to. Not everyone has the courage to adopt. The very concept of adoption is big and life-changing. Parents who stepped up opened a new path in their lives.

While it is true that “it really depends on our circumstances”, regardless, we should learn to respect and appreciate adoption. Adopted or not, adoptive parents or a regular parent, we shouldn’t pick sides and draw lines because of labels. We are all different. And these children and parents just had a special way of meeting each other.

It’s a matter of perspective. Let’s open our minds and hearts to appreciate more things in life.  Support , understand and appreciate adoption today. 

By: Alyssa Acedillo

Thomasians speak up: What adoption is for them

Margi Fajardo, College of Fine Arts and Design Major in Advertising

With this experience I was able to appreciate more the family I have now. As early as 18 years old I already have decided that I would adopt when I grow up and have my own family. And being part of the Love Sees Beyond Differences campaign it convinced me enough to actually want to solidify that plan in the future. Also, it actually enlightened me somehow on the process of adoption.

 Hans Lagman, College of Fine Arts and Design Major in Advertising

After attending the music event last Friday, I watched and observed how the families with adopted children acted. Adoption isn’t about whose blood you carry, or having different bloodline, it’s about who you love and who loves you. It’s all about taking care of each other no matter how big the differences are between you and them. 

Venzerie Bernabe, Faculty of Arts and Letters Major in Communication Arts

It has become clear to me: adoption is a kind of love worth declaring. Adopted children should not be ashamed of being such, because it means that they are lucky to have a family that will guide them and love them as they grow old. Adoption promises light, a good future, and everlasting love. It is something very beautiful, not something to be ashamed of. 

Rencie Baluyot, Faculty of Arts and Letters Major in Communication Arts

I learned that adoption should never be a subject of shame or embarrassment, but of love, gratefulness and hope. 

Cy Aquino,  College of Fine Arts and Design Major in Advertising

Attending the music event is really a great opportunity for me. Well, as I saw the parents and children in the event, I was very moved. I can see that they really love their children so much. Another thing, these parents are like angels sent from above, giving endless love to the children they adopted. As what Ma’am Dinky Soliman said, “Coming from the stomach is not the important thing, it’s loving from the heart.” I’m thankful for the parents that provide love and non-stop support to all their adoptive sons and daughters. 

The Difference that We Make

A child’s smile, laugh and his first word are moments we wish to experience when we have our own family. But what if by an unexpected twist of fate we are robbed of the chance to have our own child?

Adoption has always been an option from not having your own child. Many couples consider adoption but almost always there are different reasons that hinder them from going through the process of adopting a child. A lot of them hesitate because they think that they are going to be frowned upon by society. Not even considering that by going through adopting a child they are gifting him with a brand new life. A once vague chance to live a life full of love and happiness are being given to children that are adopted by couples who can’t have a child or already have a family but wants to add to it even more. You see, although adoption is a wonderful thing it’s still not that of a well known alternative for couples here in the Philippines. Stigmas still coats a wonderful thing such as adoption. So what can we do? What difference can we make?

 We should start and be the bridge that would connect and lead the way for everyone to see adoption in all its goodness not the one with all its stigmas. We should start in changing the mindset of everyone and let them see that adoption is something that spreads love and happiness through every family that experience it. We are the perfect vehicle for spreading more awareness about adoption. Family is the one thing that each and every one of us needs. We all deserve a family that will love and care for us. Don’t let stigmas in the society be in the way in letting a child be part of a family. Yes, you may not be related by blood but a much more binding force connects an adoptive child from the parents and that is the love they share for each other. A love that encompasses all the difference they have for when one talks about love in a family its love that is everlasting and unconditional. We could be part for every child to have a family and that someday a child will never be deprived of a family that he deserves.  

By Kinah Florendo     

A New Hope

                There a lot of abandoned children in the country. They are mostly abandoned due to the lack of support their own family could give them. They are then left on the streets to ask for money and people usually ignore these children. People are either afraid of them or they think that they are working for a syndicate. But how do we give them a chance to have a better life?

                Here comes adoption. It’s nothing new in this country but it is becoming the least solution to the problems of abandoned children. Adopting a child is giving them a new life. People should not adopt not only due to pity but because they are really willing to give them a chance to be loved by a family. 

                In adopting, people should see that the children they are adopting are not different than them. No matter where the children came from, parents should treat them like they have always been a part of the family. But they should also tell their adopted children the truth as they have the right to know it. Love and acceptance should be the priority of the children. Because of adoption, they have been saved from a lonely world.

               

                People should be more aware of adoption and this has been done by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and also the help of McCann Philippines’ Love Sees Beyond Differences. Different families who adopted have gathered to celebrate the good things about adoption. Not everything is bad about adoption. It gives chance to the abandoned and also, love is spread. Personally, I know a relative who has been adopted. Now, she is excelling in school and sports. She has been given good education and she has been brought up well by her parents. This shows that adoption is not bad at all. The process might be long but the end result is fulfilling for both the parents and the children.

                A new perspective on adoption should be seen by the people. It might open up the minds of the people and make them consider adopting a child. We should all see beyond our differences. Because in these differences, we find the hope and love we are looking for. 

by Abigail Diaz