Hami Redeems Ninong Max’s Birthday Gift

Even before my middle child’s christening at Max’s restaurant in 2015, I already have high regard for their excellent service because a cousin’s wedding reception a couple of years back was done at their Roxas Boulevard branch; and I was quite impressed with the way they have swiftly delivered a solemn wedding program, not to mention their food which is timelessly, unarguably palatable.

This year, for the first time, Hami was able to redeem her free gift from her “Ninong Max.” Unfortunately, we were unable to get her free chickens previously, for her birth month and Christmas, because I lost the temporary card necessary for redeeming the Ninong Max goodies.

I thought I had to go through the hassle of securing an affidavit of loss before I could do the free chicken redemptions for my kid. I was mistaken.  One random day I visited the place to probe about the procedures to reactivate my child’s account to claim the food gifts, I was surprised to find out that Hami’s permanent Ninong Max ID was just sitting there for several months waiting to be picked-up.

So we redeemed her first gift from Ninong Max.

Here are the perks for a Ninong Max ID holder:

Promo details according to their Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/maxsrestaurant/photos/a.104349093070.91742.42321613070/10150274868013071/?type=3&fref=mentions

While waiting for Hami’s treat from Ninong Max, I indulged my daughter’s sweet tooth.

Thanks to the very long APEC break here in Metro Manila, I was able to do lots of mommy duties for my children – I was able to pay attention to Deirdre’s christening requirements, I had the chance to sit and play pogs with Vladimir, and for the first time, Hami and I were able to redeem her free crispy and tasty chicken from Max’s Restaurant!

Nanay Muring: An Epitome of Volunteerism in Valenzuela

Today I’m sharing a story of an unsung hero whom I had the chance to interview during a recent assignment. She is Nanay Murita “Muring” Paulino, a 65-year old senior citizen who is both a Bantay Estudyante volunteer and a Central Kitchen volunteer.

Nanay Muring in Bantay Estudyante Suit

In Valenzuela, citizens are encouraged to engage in volunteer works to help contribute in making our home city a better place to live in. When I asked Nanay Muring of her timeframe until when does she see herself serving our city, I was moved by her response, “hangga't kaya ko po dahil wala naman po akong sakit” (as long as I can because I am not ill yet).

I could not help myself from gazing at her using a xennial’s lens. Despite her wrinkled skin, hers are magnetic eyes that showed me her big heart. I saw in her a contented woman who has won and lost battles through the years, yet who remained steadfast in nurturing her pure motherly soul. Her voice was filled with love and sincerity as she described her joy in serving the Valenzuelano children. In my mind, I couldn't help myself from thinking that her sun-kissed skin is her natural badge for her unrelenting selfless service. My heart shivered.

If you’re wondering where my admiration is coming from, let me talk briefly about her two volunteer works – Bantay Estudyante and Central Kitchen.

“Bantay Estudyante” is the brainchild of our handsome mayor, Rex Gatchalian [writer swoons]. In Valenzuela, senior citizens are welcomed for employment by the local government despite their age. During school days, volunteers are posted on visible sites during the ‘alpha and omega’ of classes only. They are deployed near the streets of public elementary schools to oversee the safety of the kids from vehicular accidents. They also prevent youngsters from brawling nonsensically over petty things.  

The Central Kitchen is a different activity. Here, volunteer-mothers help in preparing meals for thousands of identified malnourished and undernourished children enrolled in public schools, from kinder to sixth grade.

I have conducted interviews with other kitchen volunteers in the past so I know how tough their sacrifices are. They have to wake up at least 3:00 o’clock in the morning, leave their abode before dawn, start chopping veggies once they arrive at the kitchen, and twerk until all packed lunches are delivered in schools. These, ladies and gentlemen, are the efforts exerted by our mother-volunteers at the kitchen. So kids, I hope you’d really study well and pay it forward someday.

Nanay Muring communicated with me the essence of satisfaction and love – these are two things that many of us fail to achieve despite the credentials we brag on social media, despite the hollow praises we get from people who don’t really care about us.

Nanay, how to be you po? I salute you.