Childhood memories complete the sense of our being. Together with our hopes and aspirations, our past gives us the inspiration we need to be our best self.

Such was the motivation of Carlo Cabatingan to return to the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) where he gained his childhood memories. Carlo was voluntarily surrendered to the center right after birth by his mother.

RSCC is a child-caring institution managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for abandoned and neglected children aged 0 to 6 years old. Services provided here are homelife, medical, nutrition and dietetics, social, early childhood care and development, spiritual, and child placement.

Through these services, which approximate a normal family setting, and under the caring hands of house parents, Carlo experienced a normal childhood together with other residents at the center.  For Carlo, RSCC was no longer just a center but was already his home. What made a difference in Carlo’s life, however, was the center’s child placement service or more popularly known as Adoption which is a socio-legal process of providing a permanent family to a child. Through Adoption, Carlo, then 10 years old, found a new family who gave him a new lease on life.

Carlo’s adoption was processed through inter-country adoption.  Inter-country adoption refers to the socio-legal process of adopting a child by a foreign national or a Filipino citizen permanently residing abroad. As of April 26, 2019, a total of 370 children have been placed through local adoption while 2,392 through inter-country placement.

Carlo, 19, now surnamed Heser, is a welcome addition to the Heser family from Montana, USA.

Back to childhood home

In December last year, Carlo visited the Philippines for the first time in nine years since he was adopted and lived abroad with his adoptive family.

He set foot again at the RSCC, his childhood home, to reunite with the house parents and center staff who took care of him, as well as friends with whom he spent his years growing up.

While at the center, Carlo could not help but relive his childhood years as he played, sang, danced, and ate with the children-residents. He also joined them in their hydro-therapy activities. On a more heartwarming moment, Carlo was a picture of a happy and contented big brother as he cradled and put the babies to sleep.

Asked how he felt about his short but meaningful visit to the center, he said, “It is the best that I had in a while.”

He shared that setting foot at the center again reminded him of his childhood.

“I remember the feeling of being comforted and at peace when someone gives me a hug and reassurance. I really felt the warmth, kindness, and love of those visiting us. I will do the same to these children. I will continue to give them my love,” Carlo added.

After a simple farewell party, Carlo flew back to Montana, USA on the 9th of January 2019 with the promise that he will be back after two years, this time with his family and friends, to bring cheers to the children at the center.

RSCC houseparent, Nancy Famuleras, was happy to see Carlo once again. Nancy said that Carlo is still the sweet young boy she had known.

“Si Carlo ay mabait at malambing na bata. Malapit siya sa amin na mga houseparents.  Matulungin siya sa amin lalo na sa mga gawain sa center gaya ng paglilinis at paglalaba,” Nancy said.

Nancy expressed her appreciation of Carlo who has not forgotten his roots by visiting RSCC and even sharing his blessings to the children.

Currently, RSCC has 83 children-residents hoping that one day, they too can find a loving family to go home to just like Carlo. Generous individuals and groups as well as volunteers who are interested to give love to the children may visit the center located at Prado Siongco in Lubao, Pampanga. -30-