Smokey Manaloto’s Generous New Way to Throw a 1st Birthday

Celebrity dad Smokey Manaloto hopes to continue this birthday tradition for Kiko every time they celebrate.

Whenever we throw our children’s birthday parties, the usual guests are friends and family. However, celebrity dad Smokey Manaloto did something different for Kiko’s first birthday: celebrating his son’s first birthday with an orphanage! Organizing a Jollibee Party for Kiko and the kids of New Faith Family Children’s Home in Cainta, Smokey Manaloto admitted to feeling an overwhelming wave of emotions when he and his family shared their blessings with the orphans to commemorate “Kiko’s arrival last year.”

The Spirit of Child-like Wonder and Joy

“Hinde namin in-eexpect na yung experience na yun would bring so many emotions sa puso namin. Sa sandaling oras na nakapag-share kami ng mga regalo sa kanila ay ang bilis ding napalapit ang loob namin sa mga bata doon,” Smokey admitted. “Lahat sila magagalang… lahat sila palatawa… lahat sila mabait… at higit sa lahat… lahat sila ay may magandang relasyon sa ating Panginoon dahil na din sa mga aral na tinuturo ng mga nag-aalaga sa kanila…“

[“We didn’t expect the experience to bring so many emotions to our hearts. In that brief moment, we got to share gifts with them. All the children endeared themselves to us. They’re all polite, joyful, sweet, and most of all — they have a beautiful relationship with Our Lord because of how well their caretakers raise them.”]

There’s a magical joy in sharing our blessings with other kids. Because orphanages rely mostly on donations, sometimes, there’s not much to go around. But Smokey inviting the orphans to his son’s birthday beautifully showcases the heartwarming Filipino values of pakikisama and pakikipagkapwa wherein no kid gets left behind.

Smokey to Kiko: “Let’s make this a tradition!”

By starting off Kiko’s first birthday with a generous spirit, Smokey hopes to inspire his son to grow a bigger heart. “Anak… gawin nating tradisyon ito ha? Sana magkaroon ka ng malaking puso para lagi kang magshe-share ng love sa lahat ng mga nangangailangan…“

[“Son…. let’s make this our tradition, okay? I hope you grow a big heart so that you’ll always share the love to those who truly need it.”]

Although Kiko may not understand it as a baby yet, he will definitely see it as he grows older. It’ll encourage an early building of his foundation for empathy, teaching him to be kind in a world that needs it. Because when kids see their parents willingly and openly sharing their blessings with others, especially on their birthday, it shows them that birthdays are more than just gifts but the joy of informing others that they do matter to them. Even if they’re not blood-related. Happy 1st Birthday, Kiko!

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