Every meaningful journey has a beginning — a moment, a place, and people who quietly shape what comes next. Today, Anaya’s Care pauses to look back, to remember our roots, and to give tribute to the very foundation that inspired our existence: Dumagueteneo Cares.
The word “Care” in Anaya’s Care was never chosen lightly. It was born from Dumagueteneo Cares — a community-driven movement that showed us what genuine service, compassion, and consistency truly look like. Without Dumagueteneo Cares, there would be no Anaya’s Care.
The story goes back to 2017, when I returned from Bohol and found myself drawn into volunteer work once again. During that time, I met a group of passionate individuals who were part of Duterte’s Kitchen. I became a volunteer, roaming the city at night, distributing food to those who needed it most. Those quiet evenings, simple meals, and shared conversations planted seeds that would grow years later.
That experience taught me that service doesn’t need recognition — it only needs heart.
Not long after, Ate Jade and Ate Denden formed Dumagueteneo Cares — a group rooted in action, empathy, and community spirit. I was honoured to be one of the volunteers who joined them in various initiatives: feeding programs, outreach missions, and gift-giving activities that brought hope and joy to many.
Ate Jade also founded and organised the Santa Shoebox Project, an initiative held every December to bring smiles to children through thoughtfully prepared gifts. In fact, the gift-giving activity we held last year for the Bata ng Calabnugan was deeply inspired by the Santa Shoebox Project — a reflection of how Dumagueteneo Cares continues to influence the way we serve.
Since 2017, we have proudly supported Dumagueteneo Cares, learning from their values and carrying their example forward.
Today, we chose to join the feeding program in Balugo, Dumaguete — not just as participants, but as grateful advocates paying tribute to where it all began. It truly aligned with our journey, because Balugo holds a special place in my heart. This is where I lived when I came back from Bohol, and it is where many of these early experiences of service took shape.
The last time I attended a Dumagueteneo Cares activity was back in December 2019, during a feeding and gift-giving program at Balugo Elementary School. Being back in Balugo after all these years made this moment even more meaningful — a full-circle reminder of why Anaya’s Care was born.
Balugo has always been more than just a location — Balugo will always be my home. Returning here to serve the community reminded us that service often brings us back to where our hearts first learned how to care.
Anaya’s Care stands on the shoulders of those who came before us. We are forever grateful to Ate Jade and Kuya JM for their leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to serving the community. Their work continues to inspire us to stay grounded, compassionate, and true to our purpose.
Even with Anaya’s Care now in existence, we are still — and forever will be — proud volunteers of Dumagueteneo Cares. Our journey may have grown, but our roots remain deeply connected to the community that first taught us how to serve.
As we grow and reach more lives, we carry our roots with us — always remembering that care, when shared, multiplies.
This is not the end of the story.
It is a continuation — guided by gratitude, shaped by service, and rooted in love.
