*Ann Caña

Last May 2005, I wrote an article entitled "The Cry of Rhyz and Cherry", which is about two children -- Rhyz Gyle Jacosalem, a 5-year old boy, and Cherry Mae Emague, 3 years old. Both suffered from a congenital heart defect that needed immediate surgery.

Last February 1, 2006, nine long months later, Rhyz finally had his open heart surgery at the Philippine General Hospital. And, by God's grace, the boy who would always turn blue is now in the pink of health. Because some people cared enough to help, a boy who was on the brink of death has been given a second lease on life.

When my column came out last year, a Good Samaritan, who wanted to remain anonymous, gave P4,000 for Rhyz and Cherry thru the Daily Star. This was the start of the children's fund but donations were long in coming. Putting the children on charity was an option, but knowing that it would be a long wait, the women behind the St. Scholastica's Academy-Bacolod Alumnae Foundation, together with a donor from the States, felt compelled to take on the responsibility of shouldering the boy's operation. And because of this, Rhyz is alive to tell his story.

It is on this happy note, that the foundation is sponsoring a Valentine's show called "Heart & Soul" with Bimbo Cerrudo at the Sugarland Hotel on Feb. 14.

Proceeds of show will finance the Foundation's two main projects - Give a Life and Save a Life. Give a Life covers immunization and vaccination of children as well as deworming; Save a Life , as its name implies, entails medical procedures to help save lives of children like Rhyz Gyle Jacosalem.

And the show's title is a fitting tribute to Rhyz's story. Hearts throb once again with life because generous souls cared enough to give.

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