Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Lito Atienza - Saving Abandoned Children

Lito Atienza is presently a part of the number of candidates who will take part in the elections for Manila mayor. These Manila elections, yet once more, would be a trial of the aptitude of the discernment of the electorate to pick a candidate who is worthy of the demanding needs of the colorful city. In terms of qualifications, perhaps there is no one else who fits the post more other than Lito Atienza. And among those who will contend for mayor in the Manila elections, no one probably has assisted more.

In 1992, even as a Vice-Mayor, Lito Atienza founded with his wife Beng the "Home for the Angels," a child care center for deserted and abused infants. He created this out of his absolute belief that nobody should feel unwanted. He also acknowledges that some circumstances might forcefully separate a parent from his child and this is why he created this shelter for them. The center provides nourishment and all the love which these children could ever need.

This center is the paradigm of the good heart of Lito Atienza. This is what voters should be mindful of on the Manila elections. To a certain sense, we are all kids of the city, calling for someone like Lito Atienza to guide us in a city in which himself saw burnt to ashes and which he wants to see rise again to elusive prominence. Such efforts should not be blanked out and should be at the centerpiece during the elections for Manila Mayor.

It would be morally straight if electors during the elections for Manila mayor would pick someone who was vocally against abortion. The principle of Lito Atienza as one of the founders of Home for the Angels has consistently been that abortion is the ultimate child abuse and must be stopped at all costs. The Home of the Angels is a center meant to be action oriented and serves as the back up solution to anti-life challenges. It is a concrete symbol and source of hope at the same time for many people.

During these Manila elections, let us not forget that the Home for the Angels has been a logical crisis home for abortion survivors and has helped many neglected, abused and exploited infants ever since it was founded fourteen years ago. It has helped many victims and expected victims have a new set of lives and all of these is due to the merciful heart of Lito Atienza. The elections for Manila mayor would surely be a half-baked race if it did not let in a choice such as him. The office of Manila mayor is a status of action joined with great promises.

A total of 301 babies were served and admitted for case management and crisis intervention from year 1996 to the present and a total of 4,371 men, women and teenagers were assisted and referred through crisis intervention by phone and walk-in referrals from 2006 to the present in the center. A total of 356 students and private individuals were served well and supplied with Respect for Life Orientation while a total of 314 children ages 0-6 years old for Early childhood care and Development were served in alternative Day Care services through the Learn and Play Outreach Program. These are works of a man who surely deserves to succeed in the Manila elections. In the elections for Manila Mayor, these are efforts of a man that ought be up there when we use our judgment.

These elections for Manila mayor should be a culmination in the life and career of service of one man. This great man is Lito Atienza. When he set up his center, The Home For The Angels, he had a vision to help all abandoned and neglected children. During these Manila elections, we can actually give him a chance to expand more his vision that no person should be deprived of shelter, sustenance, caring and of love.

-Joel Dumayog

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