A
Brief Visit to Hospicio de San Jose
By Apolinario Villalobos
On November 11, I made an urgent trip from
Cavite to Quiapo for a visit to the Hospicio de San Jose, the entrance of which
is at the southern end of Ayala Bridge. I intended to personally talk to the
people in charge of the orphanage which opened its doors to the needy in 1810.
What caught my attention was a small window on the left wall through which,
perhaps, infants can be turned over discreetly by mothers. Noticeable too, were
the courteous staff and cleanliness of the compound.
I was hoping to gather first-hand
information about the orphanage for a kind-hearted Filipina who lives in the US
whose advocacy is donating books to schools and libraries. As she was thinking
of “expanding” her acts of charity, I suggested the hospicio to her. The orphanage
administrator, Sr. Maria Socorro Pilar G. Evidente, or just plain Sister
Socorro, was not around during the time of my visit. I was entertained,
instead, by the two secretaries, Ammie Visitacion and Anne de la Cruz. Our
short meeting was fruitful, as I gained more information than I expected, and
which elaborated the ones that are printed in the brochure and flyer of the
hospicio’s needs that they gave me.
During our meeting, a group of six children
whose age ranged from 3-4 years in the care of a house-mother, peeped first,
but eventually made their way inside. Anne was prepared for such visit, as she
immediately went inside a room to quickly pop a small pack of popcorn in a
microwave oven. The contents went around the children who delightfully nibbled
them, one by one, with care yet, and in seemingly solemn silence . The scene
pinched my heart…they were all smiling.
I was told by Anne and Ammie that they ran
out of biscuits, referring to the inexpensive broken kind that come in tin cans,
the ones served during wakes, and also popular “pasalubong”, and which they
give to the children to stave off their hunger between meals. The wards were
all evidently well -scrubbed and wearing neat clothes. I was hesitant to ask if
the children were found in unlikely places abandoned by their mothers or were intentionally
left in their care . I told myself to just find out more about the wards later.
It was enough that I was told by the two secretaries that they also have wards
who are attending high school and college outside the orphanage.
Interestingly, the orphanage is not limited
to assisting infants, children, and youth but elderlies, as well. There are
more than a hundred normal children in its care and about 56 special children. Despite
its limited resources, the orphanage also shares its blessings with street
children, as shown by a tarpaulin displayed at the entrance of the compound,
announcing a scheduled outreach program for them. What I saw during the brief
visit gave me another reason to visit Quiapo.
As mentioned earlier, the hospicio is
prominently located at the southern end of Ayala Bridge, and overlooks the
Pasig River. The commuting visitors can take the LRT train going to Monumento,
and get off at Central Station, from where they can stroll leisurely to the
bridge, along the way to which, is the SM City-Manila, and behind which is the
City Hall of Manila.
Two tin cans of broken biscuits may not be
too cumbersome to carry to the smiling kids and bedridden elderlies, or some
packs of diapers – any size, including large and extra large for the adults, or
some packs of band aids, etc. For those who may have no time to buy any of the
basic needs, a few pesos can be left behind, after a brief visit. Don’t forget
to ask for their brochure and flyer on which is printed the list of needs. But,
if your plan is just to visit for curiosity’s sake or gather information as
basis for future visits and charitable acts, please do not hesitate to go ahead.
The receptionist at the lobby will refer you to the office of the Administrator
where answers to your queries can be had.
I am calling on friends from the provinces,
and those who live in Manila and nearby areas, who plan to splurge their
bonuses in Divisoria and Baclaran, and those from abroad who plan to come home
for the holidays, to please, drop by the hospicio…in the name of Jesus. Your
shared blessings will go a long way, even as far as the sidewalks of Manila, as
they will surely be shared by the orphanage with children not in their care, as
well.
Please take note of the following useful
information:
Address: Ayala
Bridge,1099
Quiapo,
Manila
Phones
: +632 7342367 - 68
Telefax : +6327342366
PLEASE
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