Every afternoon after school, my daughter complained of being so hungry that she fainted. Strangely, I prepared a full lunch and snack for her every day. Until one day, I accidentally came home early, checked the camera on the side of the house and shuddered at the scene…

“At school there is rice, bread, milk… why does my child complain of being hungry every day?” – she wondered.

One afternoon, while preparing dinner, Mrs. Marites saw Angel hurriedly rummaging through the kitchen looking for something to put in her mouth. When she looked up and caught her mother’s eye, the little girl immediately avoided her and ran straight to her room. That small figure disappeared behind the wooden door, leaving her with many worries.

That night, when the whole family was asleep, Mrs. Marites tossed and turned. She remembered the security camera mounted on the side of the house, pointing straight at the small alley where the students often passed. “Maybe I should try to open it, maybe I’ll find the answer?” – she thought.

The next morning, when Angel had already arrived at school, Mrs. Marites made a cup of coffee and sat in front of the computer screen. The video showed Angel coming home from school, her bag heavy on her shoulder. But instead of walking straight into the house, she stopped at the corner of the alley, took out a carton of milk and some cookies from her bag.

What made her speechless was the next scene:
A skinny boy, his shirt worn out, slowly approached. Angel smiled, giving all of her food to the boy. The boy took it with both hands, shaking, then bowed his head in thanks.

The camera did not record any sound, but through her moving lips, Mrs. Marites read: “Kain ka na, bukas may baon ulit ako.”

(“Eat, we will share again tomorrow.”)

The doubt in her heart disappeared, replaced by a choking feeling. Her daughter was not hungry because she lacked food, but because she had given all of her food to a strange child.

That afternoon, she deliberately stood at the door. Sure enough, Angel stopped at the corner of the alley again. She followed quietly. The boy was still huddled against the mottled wall. When he saw Angel, his eyes lit up. But this time, before her daughter could give him the food, Mrs. Marites stepped out.

“Child, give it to me.” – her voice was stern but trembling.

Angel paused, worried, then handed it to her mother. She opened the bag, took out the lunch box she had prepared since morning. “Ito, anak, kain ka.” – she gently handed it to the boy.

The boy – named Nino – was stunned and quickly took it, his eyes red. Angel looked at her mother, both worried and regretful.

On the way home, Angel mumbled:
“Sorry po, Mama… I just saw that he was so hungry, I didn’t dare say anything because I was afraid you would scold me.”
Mrs. Marites squeezed her daughter’s hand gently, softly replying:
“Anak, bakit naman ako magagalit? Pero next time, you have to tell me. Let me help you help him.”

The next day, she learned that Nino was an orphan, his mother went to work as a factory worker far away in Cavite, leaving him to be cared for by his elderly grandmother. Many days, the boy went to class hungry. Angel happened to meet him and from then on shared his daily food.

The story gradually spread in the class. At first, a few friends laughed at him, but then they also contributed candy and milk. The homeroom teacher, Sir Ramon, heard about the story and was moved to launch the “Rice Jar of Kindness” movement for the whole class.

On the day of giving the support to Nino’s family, Mrs. Marites stood next to Angel, looking at her daughter and smiling brightly. In her eyes, Angel was no longer the child who complained about hunger, but had grown up in a way she had never thought of.

That night, Angel whispered:
“Mama, bukas po, I still want to bring food for Nino. Hindi dahil sa wala siyang makain… pero kasi, I feel happy.”

(“Mommy, I still want to bring more food for my friend tomorrow. Not because he’s hungry… but because I’m happy.”)

Mrs. Marites smiled, placing her hand on her shoulder:
“Anak, gawin mo ang tingin mong tama. Tandaan, Mama is always by your side.”
(“Do what you think is right. Just remember, I’m always by your side.”)

Since then, in the small house at the end of the alley in Quezon City, every meal has become warmer. Not because there are more delicious dishes, but because the hearts that know how to share have grown together