A 10-PESO ICE CREAM

Last October 30, 2025, I went with a team to a temporary shelter for families displaced by the recent typhoon in northern Cebu. Our goal was to reach out to the children through fun activities.

We left the city at 5:20 a.m. and arrived at around 8:00 a.m. We started by helping the children write their name tags, then they were free to choose which activity stations they wanted to join. There were four stations, namely: balloon twisting, face painting, bubbles blowing, and gospel bracelet making.

I was assigned to do the documentation. While taking photos and witnessing all the fun, an ice cream man caught my eye. My mind raced and my heart leaped—what if I treated them to ice cream? I went near to check what flavors he had and how much they cost. He had mango flavor and said there were two sizes: ₱10 and ₱20 per cone or cup.

The ice cream man seemed to be in his middle age, doing his best to earn money for his family. He even offered to let me pakyaw (buy out) the whole container, but I didn’t have enough cash with me. It was one of those moments when I found myself wishing I had millions, so I could give freely without hesitation.

Considering we had around 100 kids and volunteers, I decided to buy the ₱10 cones. I consulted my fellow organizers, and they agreed to let the kids have ice cream. As soon as it was announced, the line for the ice cream grew longer and longer. Small kids, bigger kids, and youth volunteers from the community came—not just one by one, but in bunches. I knew it would go beyond 100, but who could say no to those faces that looked like they hadn’t had ice cream in ages?

The count reached 162—and yes, that included our team, the Red Cross medical team, the security staff, and even a few construction workers. How far can a ₱10 ice cream go? Far enough to stretch smiles from ear to ear! The refreshed faces said it all—it made their time in the relocation site sweeter and lighter.

And yes, the ice cream man gave me a really tall cup of ice cream for myself. I was as happy as the children and everyone else in the group.

Do we need millions to cheer others up? Do we need to be rich to brighten a gloomy moment? No, we don’t. All we need is a heart that truly cares. Just as Jesus cared for those in need, let us do likewise.

---

2 Corinthians 8:12 (ESV)

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

Deuteronomy 15:10 (ESV)

You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.