When we started Pinoy Legacy, our mission was simple: serve communities in the Philippines that are often overlooked. For our very first project, we knew exactly where to begin — Toledo, Cebu.
This wasn’t just any random town on a map. It’s where my wife, Amor, spent the early years of her childhood. While she eventually moved to Cebu City for school, her roots remain deeply tied to the people of Toledo. She’s always told me how under-supported that area is compared to the city — less visibility, fewer resources, and limited access to help. Most charity work focuses on urban areas, but the provinces, like Toledo, are just as deserving — if not more.
So we asked ourselves, “How can we give back to the community that helped shape Amor?”
That’s when the idea for the Kid Kits Project was born.
The Spark That Lit the Fire
On my first trip to the Philippines, we visited Magellan’s Cross in Cebu City. Outside the church were children selling candles for a few pesos. Some were as young as eight or ten, barefoot, covered in dust, with rotting teeth — kids who should’ve been in school but were instead out hustling for their families. I saw children urinating in the street, naked and dirty. It broke me.
That was the moment I knew: I couldn’t just witness this and walk away. I needed to do something — not someday, but now.
Instead of donating to an organization I wasn’t familiar with, I decided to start small and do it ourselves. And even if we stayed small, I knew our impact could be huge.
Building the Kits
When we planned our next trip to the Philippines, we decided that summer was the perfect time for our first project. We knew the kids in Toledo had just finished school, so traditional school supply giveaways didn’t make much sense. We wanted to give them something practical for everyday life — something that could make their summer a little more comfortable.
So we created Kid Kits — drawstring bags filled with essentials and a few fun extras. Here’s what we packed:
- Bar soap
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Deodorant
- Floss
- Hand sanitizer
- A soft bath towel
- A reusable thermal water bottle
That last item — the water bottle — was especially important. In rural parts of the Philippines, people often buy water from vending machines that squirt water into flimsy plastic bags. Kids drink from them by biting a corner off. It’s not sustainable, and it doesn’t keep the water cold — which is tough in the intense heat. The thermal bottles we included were a small upgrade that could make a big difference.
Preparing for the Big Day
We ordered many of the supplies online through local Filipino retailers like Shopee, and had them delivered to our place in Cebu City. The drawstring bags, towels, and bottles were ordered online, while the rest — hygiene products like soap, shampoo, floss, and more — we bought in bulk at a local grocery store, filling three carts full.
We also packed two full suitcases from the U.S. with American candy — Skittles, M&M’s, Nerds, Ferrero Rocher, and more — purchased at Costco. My mom, who owns Jane L. Walker Law Office and also does balloon décor, donated toys like paper airplanes, coloring books, and paddle-ball games.
The whole packing effort was a family affair. Amor, her brother Archie, one of his friends, her little sister Aiah, and I worked together to organize 50 full Kid Kits and over 100 individual bags of candy and toys.
The Event in Toledo
We held the event at a local basketball court in Toledo. The court needed some work, so Archie and his friends cleaned it up beforehand — a huge help. We set up shop early in the morning after a 4 a.m. drive from Cebu City, cramming all the supplies into a rented van.
By the afternoon, the sun was blazing, but everything was ready. We stamped 50 small paper tickets with the Pinoy Legacy logo and handed them out to the first kids who showed up. And word spread fast. In small towns, a big white van, loud music, and matching shirts are enough to draw a crowd. Before we knew it, the court was full.
We played tons of games throughout the afternoon:
- Red Light, Green Light
- Hot Potato (with a ball)
- Basketball games
- And several others that kept the kids moving and laughing
We had a big JBL speaker set up to play music during the games, and the energy was contagious. Winners of the earlier games received big bags of rice. Once those ran out, we started giving out candy and toys — and made sure everyone got something, even if they didn’t win.
At the end of the event, kids returned their stamped ticket in exchange for their full Kid Kit. After cleanup, we spent a little time with Amor’s grandmother and relatives nearby, then made the long drive back to Cebu City.
The Aftermath
We didn’t have enough Kid Kits for every child — 100 would’ve been ideal — but we gave away all we could. Every child walked away with something in hand and a smile on their face.
The event lasted around 15 to 16 hours from start to finish. It was nearly 100°F with high humidity, and both Amor and I ended up getting sick from the heat and exhaustion. Still, we left knowing it was all worth it.
What We Learned
- Plan earlier than you think. We planned this about a week or two before flying in. Next time, we’ll start 4–6 weeks ahead, with delivery dates and backup options lined up.
- Logistics matter. Everything from renting the van to cleaning the basketball court took coordination. It wouldn’t have worked without the help of volunteers.
- Bring more. We underestimated how many kids would show up. Next time, we’ll aim to double the amount of kits and prizes.
Looking Ahead
We definitely plan to do this again — whether it’s more Kid Kits, school supply backpacks, or specialized hygiene kits. We also hope to involve U.S.-based supporters: churches, dental offices, community groups, anyone willing to donate supplies that we can bring over.
The Kid Kits project helped us build trust in the community and reminded us why we started this nonprofit in the first place. The kids in Toledo aren’t without joy or childhood — they laugh, they play, they live. But many go without the simple things we take for granted. Things like deodorant. Toothbrushes. Clean water bottles. A fresh towel.
And if we can help fill even a small part of that gap, then that’s what we’re going to keep doing.