1. A Slice of Batanes In Bustos, Bulacan. A Slice of Heaven For God’s Children.
SAN MARTIN DE PORRES
Address: Mission Road, Bonga Menor, Bustos, Bulacan 3007, Philippines
The BAHAY AT YAMAN NI SAN MARTIN DE PORRES can be found in Claro Santos St., Bonga Menor,
Bustos, Bulacan. It began as a feeding center in Tondoback in 2002 for the street children of Manila
through the initiative of Rev. Fr. FlorentinoS. Concepcion. Better known as “Father Boyet”, he inspired
countless others to share time and resources for what was initially a Soup Kitchen which blossomed into
a center for streetchildren who found love and care beyond the hot meals and shelter. As the “Bambang
Kids” grew in number, Fr. Boyet transferred the “community” in 2003 to this donated l ot in Bustos,
Bulacan. As more well-meaning Christians supported Fr. Boyet’s project, these streetchildren were fed,
sheltered, ‘healed’ and treated with love and tender care. Volunteer psychologists and social workers,
along with financial donors, helped sustain this apostolate mission such that the Center now houses and
cares for as many as 120 street children.
We weaved through ricefields andpaddies to reach the Center which nowhas a Chapel and a few stone
houses built like the ones you’d find in Batanes. These Ivatan -inspired stonehouses are so lovely that we
all agreed we’d stay a night here sometime soon, and spend more time with the children. The
dormitories where the children live are surrounded by moat-like fishponds. Up on the 2nd floor, there
are folding cabinets in varied colors and an uncluttered floor shiningin its cleanliness and space. I can
imagine the boys rolling out their mats here and sleeping with the wide windows open to let the breeze
in.
Right across the dormitories, there is a Social Hall cum dining area. Lovingly designed with vibrant
colors, the hall is artistically decorated with items one would normally discard. Like empty bottles
hanging on a makeshift chandelier made of dried twigs and branches. I found beauty everywhere. The
colors, the minimalist decor, the ingenious artistry, the carpentry, all these combine to create an
atmosphere of love and communality.
For sure, the Center can do with a lot of help from us who can spare time and resources to live out our
Christianity right here where help finds meaning. With 120 streetchildren under his wing, Fr. Boyet needs
our support. Go visit them, and view a slice of Batanes in this area of Bulacan. Meet King David, a 10year
old who has gone through 4 religions at so young an age. He can entertain you with his operatic voice. I
kid you not. And there’s RamonMagsaysay, an abandoned baby who is forever clinging to Fr. Boyet the
whole time we were there. And another pre-teen whose body bore tattoos long before he knew what
those markings are. Go visit, and discover a part of yourself too. That part which longs to offer a slice of
heaven for God’s children.
“In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort, we must help the weak and keep in mind
the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 21:3)
"Children are delicate and fragile beings. What they may become is not of th eir own doing. It
is ours."
Since 1983, Fr. Florentino S. Concepcion, known as Father Boyet, has championed Filipino's
society's vulnerable citizens. Forgoing the comfort of his home parish in Bustos, Bulacan, he
became chaplain in the local jail, making regular visits to patients of the provincial hospital. After
two years, the bishop granted his request to become a missionary, a quest fueled by an
inspirational meeting he had with Mother Teresa. "Not an easy life," she cautioned him, "full of
trials and difficulties."
Father Boyet has shrunk from none of them, immersing himself in the desperate conditions that
put the lives of the weakest members of Filipino society at serious risk. He helped establish the
philanthropic organization, the Angelo King Charities and Social Research Foundation, which has
funded homes for abandoned elderly people and disadvantaged, troubled youths. Father Boyet
has also inspired countless people to contribute what they can to those in need—everything from
seed money and building materials to governmental resources and food. These contributions
have helped make a number of volunteer-run missions in Bulacan and Manila a reality.
