There are many ways to help, and Angeline Quinto chooses to open her house to five "bata sa daan," and to treat them as "bagong kaibigan."
One fine day in February, the Kapamilya singer traversed Commonwealth Avenue looking for kids whom she could invite to swim in her pool.
In in her YouTube vlog dated February 29, 2020, she began this way: "So guys, nandito ako ngayon sa Commonwealth. Medyo malayo ito sa bahay ko.
"Yung dalawang kasama ko naghahanap ng ibang puwedeng mayaya doon, at puwedeng ma-invite kumain sa bahay, ‘tapos mag-swimming kahit saglit lang.
"So sana makaipon tayong bagets."
Briefly, she worried about being mistaken for the infamous "'puting van na nangunguha ng bata."
Half-joking, she said, "Huwag naman sana akong pagkamalang ano dito, yung nangunguha ng batang...yung puting van."
A few minutes later, she saw a little girl smiling and jumping with glee. Four little boys also came. Each one of them brought a small plastic bag for their extra clothes.
They were all "excited."
One of them admitted: "Hindi pa po kami nakakaligo."
Angeline made sure to say: "Ipinaalam ko naman sa mga magulang nila."
Upon reaching Angeline's house, the kids didn't waste time and jumped into the pool right after a quick shower.
The Kapamilya singer happily watched them, and did a bit of reminiscing.
"Actually, matagal ko nang plano ‘to. Pag nakakakita ako ng mga bata sa kalsada, ginagawa nilang swimming pool kung anuman yung tubig kahit madumi, dun sila naliligo.
"Actually, alam mo, sa totoo lang hindi ko naman kailangang ikahiya, pero dati kasi nung bata ako, naranasan ko ding maligo sa baha dahil mahilig akong mag-swimming.
"Kapag baha sa amin, sa kanto namin, dun kami nagtatalunan ng mga kaibigan ko. Kaya ang sarap lang siguro na makita mo yung mga ganitong edad.
"At nagulat sila na ako yung nag-invite sa kanila.
"Tawag pa nga sa akin ‘Angel.’ Hindi nila mabanggit yung Angeline. Si Ate Angel. Ate Angel. Locsin."
The kids took a break and enjoyed a spaghetti-and-fried-chicken meal served by Angeline herself.
Afterwards, they went swimming again.
When it was time to go home, everyone was still smiling. Each one of them brought home a grocery bag.
Angeline, for her part, felt light. She had made other people happy.
"Kanina nung nasa van kami, talagang naririnig ko sila, ‘Excited na ako. Excited na ako.’
"Hindi nila alam kung gaano ako ka-excited na makita ko silang kahit papano ay mapasaya ko. Malaking bagay yun. Malaking bagay po yun."
