Family Life with Adopted Kids

Raised in a very conservative family, it never really occurred to me the idea of adoption. Before my perspective about family is narrow and child-like, a mom and a dad together with their biological kids, nothing more and nothing less. I guess my only exposure to this kind of family setting are the old Filipino drama series that depicts adoption in their family, the cliché that the adopted child and the biological child gets switch and so on and so forth. So it dawned on me how a family life with an adopted kid is?

See, “Love Sees beyond Differences” has been such an eye-opener to those children whom at a young age seeks for the warmth and comfort of a family. It made me expose more and understand to stories of people, to the idea of connection and to unconditional love. Stories about people for how diverse life really is, there are couples who are blessed with little angels and there are those who are not, there are children with family who took their parents for granted and there are children who couldn’t wish for more but a tight hug from parents who can call their own. Secondly the idea of connection, of how not only blood or surname connects people, not only these two labels you as a part of family. Family means so much more than being that, Family means love more than anything. Finally unconditional love, perhaps this is the real standard of being a family, the love that loves you for who you are and for whom you are not, the love that doesn’t care about where you’re from, and the love that sees beyond differences. Going back to the question how a family life with an adopted child is? I think it has no differences at all from the family life with biological kids. A family life with adopted kids has all the elements it needs to stand as one, a mother and a father with their adopted kids and most importantly the unconditional love that ties them to stand as one. Those kids may not came from the mothers womb but they came from their hearts, They are a family nonetheless.

By Igel Manalo

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. 

Celebrating Adoption Consciousness Week through Good Music

An adoption advocacy has never been this fun.

As part of the adoption campaign “Love Sees beyond Differences” of DSWD, ICAB and McCann and as part of the celebration of Adoption Consciousness Week, a music event was held at Terra 28, in front of Active Fun building, on November 22, 2013.

I was able to listen to OPM artists and singers who I love like Jaime Rivera, the UP Concert Chorus Alumni, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Ney, Erik Santos and Moonstar88. I was so happy to hear and see them sing live, especially when I think that their performances are for a cause.

My friend Rencie and I were star struck by Moonstar88, and we sang “Torete” and “Migraine” like it’s our concert, too!

University of Santo Tomas students are enjoying Moonstar88's "Migraine"! 

The soothing voice of Erik Santos made the crowd relax.

Jaime Rivera sings her heart out 

UST students had a photo opportunity with Moonstar88!

Another good thing about the music event is that I was able to discover talented artists. They are Triple Fret, the trio who played classical guitar; the pretty Chadlyn Lacdo-o, the charming Luigi D’ Avola and contemporary singer Timmy Pavino. All of them serenaded us with music of various genres, something that the audience (and I) truly enjoyed.

It rained pretty hard that Thursday night, but it did not stop us from having fun and appreciating what the event is truly all about.

Heart wrenching stories were shared by DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman and Jeffrey Hidalgo, who came in the concert with his adopted brother.

The adoptive families who are part of the campaign were also there. The heavy rain that Thursday night did not falter their happiness in being part of the program. They were recognized and were given caricatures of their families, too, which were made by students from University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts and Design.

As a closing number, the artists sang the official song of the “Love Sees beyond Differences” campaign, “I Love You Anak,” which was composed and sung by Mr. Ogie Alcasid.

For me, the greatest thing in this music event is that it brings adoptive families together. Seeing the adoptive parents holding their kids lovingly while smiling and singing with the artists is such a wonderful sight. The event bring closer ties in a way that they show people that adopting a child or being adopted is nothing to be ashamed of. They remove this negative stigma that the society imposes on adoption. 

Indeed, the event was fun-filled and gives people hope and love.

By: Venzerie Bernabe
Photo credits to: Patrick Uy and Nikki Rudi

A Bigger and Richer Family

“The time when we first met Felice, we fell in love” says Mrs. Nenita Santos, an adoptive mother. Mrs. Nenita shared their journey on adopting Felice, their adoptive daughter, last January 12, 2013 in an interview we held at their lovely home in Makati.

            We asked them how they met Felice and if there was this certain spark right at that very moment they’ve been with her. Ironically, according to Mr. Bobby Santos there was no spark at all. The connection between him and Felice just grew stronger eventually. Mr. Santos’ was actually a bit hesitant at the beginning because they didn’t know how demanding and time-consuming the legal adoption process was. He was also very open in admitting he wasn’t 100% sure he’s on board with the whole adoption idea. However, with the helpful encouragement of their social worker and the grace of the Lord, he says that he was really enlightened that he put all hesitations behind out of love because he realized he really wanted to push through with the process. He really wanted to give it a chance. He knew that he and his wife wanted to give their overflowing love to a child who deserves it. Because in fact, there are a lot of children who are still living in foster homes and feels neglected for not having a family who wants to adopt them.

            True enough, Felice had been a blessing to them and vice versa. Before Felice, they shared how they were in fact a happy couple. But things changed now that Felice had come into their lives. They seem to be even more excited because of the good and bad things that continue to surprise them along the way. There are three of them now - three different people with three different moods, attitudes, needs and wants. But the love was there. There was an abundance of love. That was enough for them to go through any challenges they may encounter as family. And if not for Felice, they wouldn’t be here to tell their story. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sonny Santos

By Erica Doria 

A Step Towards Change

One does not see a person and instantly know what that person has been through, all that he is about. An outside observer could always judge and say something after one look. After all, if someone is a stranger, it is not usually the case that one cares.

Adoption can be considered a taboo in our country. It is not always talked about. It is even avoided at times. People are not always proud of the fact that they are adopted, or that they are a part of an adoptive family. Still, there are people who are very well open to this matter. These are the people who know the truth about adoption. These are the ones who can proudly say that adoption is merely a word, not a reason to differentiate one from another.

December 7th of last year, I got the chance to be a part of an adoptive families sharing program in the McCann Worldgroup social lounge. Guests from government and child-caring organizations like the Center for Family Ministries were present. One of the speakers was Sen. Pia Cayetano who is a foster parent herself and soon to be an adoptive parent. Adoptive families were there to share each of their stories. A lot of issues on adoption and the stigmas were raised. More importantly, the adoptive parents were able to inspire all who were part of the event with their stories.

Ms. Cecile Gabutina-Velez, vice president managing partner of McCann Worldgroup, expressed how their company worked with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Inter-country Adoption Board in order to start the "Love Sees Beyond Differences" adoption advocacy campaign. She said that the most prevalent stigma on adoption is "hiya" which is the primary thing the advocacy wants to address. The adoptive families sharing program is a fitting step towards softening the stigma.

Witnessing all these people and families come together in one place so that others can learn from their stories did not only teach me. It also made me think of all the possible things that people can achieve through a collective and real effort.

Even if it will take a long while, change can happen for those who try.

Senator Pia Cayetano

Mr. Mike Tripp is one of the adoptive parents.

By Paola Brinas

A Student's Experience with Love Sees Beyond Differences

It is but a great experience to work for McCann Worldgroup; as a novice you don't just pass out on opportunities like this, you get to be in the actual field, to do the actual work, to work with and for the actual people on the industry and to learn more than just the things you discuss on a four-cornered classroom,  so what's the reason to back out?

However, being a part of this project, even just for a day, has thought me so much more than the corporate stuff. It thought me about life of individuals, connection, and love. Life of individuals because you get to know more about people, it just makes you feel that there's so much more than yourself in this world. Love Sees Beyond Differences take a stand that there is a market of this people, families and kids, who found warmth and care through adoption. Connection because Love Sees Beyond Differences open up our hearts that even we are all complete strangers, even if say a couple can't have a kid there is still a chance to create a family that blood isn't the only standard to have a family and home no matter where we came from. Finally love, because there shouldn't be a stigma even if you've adopted, adoption doesn't make you less of a person or a couple but it is opportune to open up your heart to spread love, to be the best parent that you could be.

In conclusion, the campaign Love Sees Beyond Differences has inspired me to give more heart, a touch to the people that will make them move for the betterment of all. Which perhaps in the future I will be generating :) Hopefully.

By Igel Manalo