Breath Water Sound Testimony

MY LIFE

I am Jay-R Andicoy. When I was a child I lived with my grandmother. We lived in Quiapo and that is where my I and my older brother grew up. From what I know, I have 15 siblings. I do not know where the others are.

While I lived in Quiapo, I helped in selling “kakanin” (native sweets) and other things so I could study. I recall a time when my birthday came and all we had was “taho” (bean curd) to eat. But I was still happy.

There came a time when my grandmother could no longer support my brother in his studies. So she asked an acquaintance of hers, an attorney, to adopt him. After a few months, she asked if he could adopt me as well. So both I and my brother came to live with him. Unfortunately, the attorney started to beat me, so I returned to my grandmother. She was surprised I had returned so I told her what happened. So she sent me to my stepfather in Paco.

I was able to study there but I had a hard time as my stepfather forced me to sell sampaguita garlands in Malate for long hours. I got very little sleep. While I was selling one day, I was caught by the Reception and Action Center (RAC). They asked if I had been there before and I said no. I slept there and I was there for three days. My stepfather came to get me but he put me back to work. I was caught again and stayed in the RAC for a month. I experience many difficulties while there. But, thankfully, “kuya” Anthony came there to pick children to bring to Virlanie Foundation and he picked me, as well as one of my friends. He brought us to the Virlanie drop-in center. I stayed there for six months. There I felt the love as of a family. After that I was moved to the Caress Home and was able to study. The truth is, I come from a broken family. But I hoped you liked nice story and were able to learn from it. Thank you!

From: Jerwin Andicoy

This story was written by Jay-R Andicoy, one of the graduates of the Breath Water Sound Course at Virlanie Foundation