STA. ANA, MANILA – On a Sunday that blurred the lines between a birthday, Halloween, and a global health mission, the true spirit of celebration was redefined. On October 25, 2025, the grounds of the Our Lady of the Abandoned Parish in Sta. Ana, Manila, were transformed into a vibrant hub of compassion, proving that the most meaningful gifts are those you give away.
It began not with a party plan, but with a purpose. Sarah Corros, the birthday celebrator, envisioned a celebration distinct from the usual fanfare. She wanted to mark her special day by feeding a distressed community.
“It all started with a simple call from a good friend,” shared a fellow organizer Maria Christina Cura Bernal from Share-A-Hope, the event’s lead organization. “She said she wanted to celebrate her birthday, not with a big party, but by feeding a distressed community. Without hesitation, I said yes! Because what better way to celebrate life than by sharing it with others?”
That simple “yes” ignited a wave of generosity, mobilizing a coalition of compassion. The Galang family, the Our Lady of the Abandoned volunteers, Food Access Philippines (Birch Tree donor), Riverside Homeowners Association Philippines, Climb Against Cancer (CAC), Munting Kusina, the Jollibee Food Program, and Ms. Ray Anne of San Miguel Foundation all answered the call, donating everything from meals and milk to protein products and notebooks.
The result was a massive distribution effort that served 800 beneficiaries with precision and heart:
- 250 children enjoyed trick-or-treat bags filled with more than just candy, receiving nutritious meals.
- 100 Senior Citizens were honored and cared for, ensuring our community’s elders felt valued.
- 50 Jail Inmates were given a message of hope and solidarity, reminding them they are not forgotten.
The scale of the outreach was matched only by the diversity of the donations. Volunteers prepared and distributed 250 packs of spaghetti meals, 250 bowls of warm arroz caldo, 250 assorted pastries, 250 packs of Birch Tree milk, 200 bottles of water, and 250 dozen packs of coffee creamer. Understanding that nourishment extends beyond food, 200 packs of notebooks were also distributed, feeding young minds for the future.
The event was also a platform for advocacy, doubling as an “End Polio Now” celebration in partnership with the Rotary Club of Manila Premier, led by Charter President Manny Pacquiao. This layer of purpose highlighted how community action is intrinsically linked to global health goals.
The driving force behind weaving these efforts together was Share-A-Hope, with its founder, Bernal Better World Tondo, providing the backbone for the event. What could have been a scattered series of donations became a synchronized symphony of service.
As the day concluded, with the laughter of children dressed for Halloween echoing alongside the grateful smiles of seniors and inmates, the message was clear. Sarah Corros’s birthday wish had created a ripple far beyond a single day.
Her birthday served as a powerful testament to a simple, profound idea: the best celebrations are the ones that Share-A-Hope.#
