ISF - A Home Away from Home

Do what makes you happy! Easier said than done. Why? Let me give you a few example.

You wanted to be a musician. All you have to do is buy a guitar, learn how to play it and then play all the music in the world as soon as you've mastered it.

You wanted to be a great basketball player. Buy a basketball and practice everyday.

You wanted to be a teacher. Study, apply for a job in a school then teach your students.

It is easy.

But doing the things that you want is far more happier if you're doing it with the people who share the same interest as yours. Guitar playing is more enjoyable when someone is by your side, singing along with you. Being a basketball player is better when you have a team. A teacher learns more if she's with her fellow teachers, sharing their experiences and stories with each other.

Finding people who understand your reasons in doing something is like finding a home. Just like a family, you accept, love and respect each other. Of course, not everyone in the family is as understanding as everybody else.

With ISF, I found a home.

When I was a kid, I always dreamt of having a foundation of my own. I wanted to help other people, especially the kids. Not because I have enough resources to provide for them, but because I know we all deserve to have a comfortable life.

My family is not rich. My dad is a Preacher. My mon is a full time church worker. I have two younger siblings. And we survived life through the help of God. But the simplicity of our life did not hinder me to help. Every Saturday, me and my parents teach the children in a distressed area in Metro Manila. We teach them Bible stories. I don't want them to end up being the problems of society. I want them to grow up in the nurture and adminition of the Lord. I love them.

But my passion for this kids was misunderstood and neglected by many. I tried to explain but to no avail. People kept asking me why I preferred to spend my Saturdays with them when I can just stay at home and read a good book. Or spend the weekend with friends,  having a good time. They're right. I can do those things but I chose not to.

Some labeled me as a snob and anti social. But I never cared. One thing is for sure, I am misunderstood.

One day, I joined twitter. Because I wanted to follow Ian Somerhalder. By that, I got the chance to meet certain people. First is Kelly Mayer. She's an ISF Supporter, a mother of 3 and just like me, misunderstood. Next is Kat Abramowitz. A teacher by profession and an ISF supporter too. And Tessa from New York, mom of twins and an ISF supporter too.

We are strangers. We never knew anything about each other. Yet we spend time tweeting and talking to each other as if we're friends for a long time. The reason? Ian Somerhalder Foundation.

Yes, we found our way to each other. ISF is the magnet that pulled us all together. It is because of our compassion in saving the planet that drew us together. It's like we found a support group. Even though we are from the other sides of the world.

It's an amazing feeling to know that when other people show lack of support and appreciation on what you are standing for, there are certain people who know exactly what to say to boost your enthusiasm in doing what you have to do. Don't get me wrong. We never wished for recognition. We just want to have that feeling of belongingness and security, that no matter what the world would say, we have each other. We have a family. We have Ian Somerhalder Family (ISF).

Ian is such a great man. I don't know him personally. I only watch Vampire Diaries. I follow him on social media. But his compassion and advocacy drove us all together to do everything we can to save Mother Earth.

I never expected that for once in this lifetime I could find people, other than my biological family, who support my beliefs and my passion.

I don't need the world to accept me. I just want them to give me a chance to let them know that they can do something to help save the planet.

Truly, ISF is a home away from home.