Origin: Cebu, Philippines
“We all crave to be loved. We all crave to know that we matter. But even though we all share this hunger, we don’t always make an effort to satisfy the hunger of others. There are people who enter our lives and sometimes, it’s enough for us to just let them be shadows...”
Origin: Dhaka, Bangladesh
“One late afternoon, when I was at my weakest, I looked out my hospital window while lying in bed. My eyes felt heavy but I fought hard against the feeling. I wanted to see the sunset. As the sun prepared to say goodbye, I felt that I too was going to say goodbye to this world soon. I did not know what happened next but I suddenly saw my late friend Oni! I saw him walking toward me!”
Origin: Bulacan, Philippines
“At seven years old, I started my mornings with only one thing in mind: to make money.”
Origin: Manila, Philippines
“She is the quintessential example that best represents the parable of the bamboo: pliant yet strong. She bends with the wind yet remains unyielding to the trials of life. I am so proud to be her namesake and I am always humbled to be in her presence. She is my role model, a vision of strength, a true woman.”
Origin: Thailand
“Anyone who has ever been abused in any form can tell you about the evil that’s sealed across your soul, as though the devil himself left his signature to prove he was there.”