The 8-year-old girl refused to open her wardrobe, when her mother came to check…

The Marites family lives in a small neighborhood on the outskirts of Manila. Her husband works far from home as a construction worker, while she stays home and sells groceries. The couple’s only daughter, Angela, just turned 8 this year. Angela is obedient, quiet, but very understanding. Since childhood, she has liked to play by herself, draw pictures, write diaries, and always arrange things neatly.

However, after Tet (Pasko ng Pagkabuhay – Easter), Marites began to notice strange changes in her daughter. Angela often sits in her room for hours, more closed off than before. Especially the wardrobe. The first time she saw her daughter lock it was in early March. When asked, Angela simply said:

– “Wala naman, Mama. Huwag mo lang buksan ang cabinet ko.”

At first, Marites thought it was normal for children to have their own secrets. But every time she approached the cupboard, Angela would immediately run to block her way, like a “little bodyguard”. One day, she heard her child whispering in front of the cupboard as if she was talking to someone. Another time, she peeked in and saw Angela carefully place a loaf of pan de sal (Filipino round bread) inside, whispering:

“Ito lang muna ngayon, bukas mas marami pa.”

That night, while Angela was sleeping, Marites used a spare key to open the cupboard. There was nothing dangerous. But what stunned her was the simplicity inside:

A paper box lined with a towel, a few loaves of pan de sal, a plastic bottle of water, and a doll missing one eye. Next to it was a student’s notebook, written in neat handwriting:

“Ako si Angela. Alam ko na wala kang bahay. Pwede ka dito sa cabinet ko. Aalagaan kita. Bawat araw may pagkain. Hindi ko sinasabi kay Mama kasi baka palayasin ka niya.”

Below are also drawings: a girl with messy hair, dirty face, huddled under a tree, with the words:
– “Pangalan niya ay Nena. Nakita ko siya malapit sa tambakan sa palengke. Wala siyang magulang.”

Ms. Marites was shocked. It turned out that the day before, Angela went to the market, she met a homeless girl. Not knowing how to help, her daughter brought that pity home, imagining “Nena” living in the cabinet, taking care of her and chatting with her every day.

The next morning, when she saw the cupboard wide open, Angela burst into tears:

“Mama, huwag kang magalit. Hindi ko alam anong gagawin. Naawa ako kay Nena…”
She hugged her child, crying and saying:

“Hindi ako galit. Mahal kita kasi ang puso mo ay napakaganda. Pero gagawa tayo ng tamang paraan… para tunay na matulungan si Nena.”

The search in real life

The next day, mother and daughter returned to the market, asking about the wandering girl. For three days, no one knew. But on the fourth day, a scavenger recognized her:

“Oo, nakita ko siya. Bata iyon natutulog sa ilalim ng tulay, mga ilang eskinita mula dito. Ang pangalan niya Nena nga.”

They searched under the bridge. There, a skinny girl of about 6-7 years old, hugging her old teddy bear tightly, lay curled up on a torn tarpaulin. Angela trembled and pulled her mother’s hand:
– “Mama… siya po si Nena.”

Sister Marites approached:
– “Anak, ano pangalan mo? Bakit mag-isa ka dito?”

The little girl was startled, her eyes alert:
– “Tita, huwag n’yo akong dalhin. Hindi ako magnanakaw…”

Angela stepped forward, gently:
– “Nena, ako ito, Angela. Dinala ko si Mama. Tutulungan ka namin.”

At that moment, Nena burst into tears. After comforting her and buying her food, Sister Marites heard the story: Nena’s mother used to work as a labandera (laundry girl) but died in a car accident a few months ago. No one took her in, she was sent to a foster home but ran away because she was bullied. From then on, she lived a vagrant life, ate leftovers at the market, and slept under the bridge.

After hearing this, Marites’s heart ached. She knew she couldn’t ignore it.

A new door from an old closet

After many procedures at the barangay (ward), she was approved to temporarily sponsor Nena, waiting for the official adoption process. A month later, the closet that once hid her “imaginary friend” now had two separate compartments: one for Angela, one for Nena.

The two sisters went to school together, played with dolls, drew pictures, and did crafts together. Angela whispered to her:

“Nena, dati cabinet lang ang bahay mo. Ngayon, kasama na tayo sa isang kwarto. Hindi na imagination lang, totoo na!”

Nena smiled and nodded.

Standing outside the door, Marites was silent. She understands that sometimes, miracles do not come from distant miracles, but from the pure heart of a child – where love has no limits.

And sometimes, a closed cabinet… is the starting point for the door of kindness to open.

Part 2 – The arduous journey to officially adopt Nena

After a month of temporary sponsorship, Nena has begun to integrate into her new life with Angela and Marites. But in order for her to have a legal home and no longer fear being taken away, Marites must face a difficult journey: the official adoption procedure in the Philippines.

The first steps

Early on a Monday morning, Marites carried a thick stack of documents to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Quezon City. She filled out one form after another: from personal history, marital status, income, to health certificate.

The social worker looked at the documents and frowned:
– “You are a single mother who takes care of the family almost by yourself, your main income comes from the sari-sari store. Are you sure you can afford to raise another child?”

That question was like a knife piercing Marites’ heart. Yes, she was not rich, and her husband worked far from home, but she believed that love could fill any void. She replied, her voice trembling but determined:
– “Hindi po ako mayaman, pero may puso po ako. Hindi ko kayang hayaan si Nena bumalik sa lansangan.”

Prejudice from outsiders

The news that Marites wanted to adopt spread quickly in the neighborhood. Not everyone was sympathetic. Some neighbors whispered:
– “Naku, dagdag pasanin lang ‘yan.”
– “Baka may lahi magnanakaw ang batang iyan. Hindi mo alam pinanggalingan niya.”

These malicious rumors reached Nena’s ears. She sat crying in the corner, saying to Angela:
– “Ate, baka tama sila. Baka hindi ako karapat-dapat dito.”

Angela hugged her tightly and whispered:

“Nena, ikaw ang kapatid ko. Hindi kita iiwan.”

Ms. Marites looked at her two children, tears falling silently. She knew she had to be stronger, not only to protect Nena, but also to keep faith in Angela – the little girl who taught her about unconditional love.

Challenge in court

On the day of the trial, Ms. Marites sat before the judge. The lawyer representing the DSWD asked her repeatedly:

“Do you have enough money to take care of the two children? Are you sure you won’t abandon Nena when you’re in trouble? Why did you insist on adopting when you already have biological children?”

Ms. Marites trembled, her hands tightened on the hem of her shirt, but then she gathered her courage and looked straight at the judge:
– “Your Honor, hindi po ako perpektong ina. Pero alam ko ang sakit ng isang batang iniwan, walang pamilya. Nakita ko sa mga mata ni Nena ang takot at gutom na hindi dapat maramdaman ng kahit sinong bata. Hindi ko kayang pabayaan siya. Hindi dugo o apelyido ang bumubuo ng pamilya—kundi pagmamahal.”

The whole courtroom was silent. The judge was silent for a long time then knocked his gavel:
– “The court will review the petition carefully. But remember this, Mrs. Marites: ang tunay na pamilya ay hindi nasusukat sa yaman, kundi sa tibay ng puso.”
Decisive moment

For weeks of waiting, Marites lived in anxiety. Every night, Nena asked:

“Tita, kung hindi ako mapayagan, saan na naman ako pupunta?”

She could only hold her sister in her arms and comfort her:

“Huwag kang matakot. Basta’t magkasama tayo, hindi ka na iiwan.”

Then the day of the decision came. In front of the judge and the DSWD representative, Marites held both Angela and Nena’s hands. The judge smiled and said loudly:

“The petition for legal adoption is hereby GRANTED.”

Angela and Nena both burst into tears. Nena hugged Marites and whispered:

“Mama… may pamilya na ako.”

A new roof, an open door

From that day on, Marites’ small house became more cramped, noisier, but also warmer. The wardrobe that used to be a secret hiding place was now filled with new clothes for both sisters.

Angela said to her mother one quiet evening:

“Mama, cabinet dati ay parang pinto ng sikreto. Pero ngayon, naging pinto ng isang pamilya.”

Sister Marites smiled, shedding tears.

Because sometimes, a child’s love can overcome laws, prejudices and poverty – to open a real home for a little soul