To those who don’t know me, I am Abigail Lopez, and I am 24 years old. I am proud to say that I grew up in Subic Bay Children’s Home and was raised right by Pastor Ted, Nanay Ligaya, Pastor Odek, and Ms. Annalisa, whom we call “Mother.”
I was first brought to the orphanage in Batangas when I was just six months old. I was rescued from my abusive biological mother, who kept me padlocked in a room, leaving me only a bottle of water with sugar, and who didn’t care if I just cry all day until one day, the police heard me crying and reported it immediately to the DSWD.
The DSWD brought me to the orphanage in Batangas immediately, providing me with a safe place to stay and proper care. I am thankful for that policeman and the DSWD, who took action about my condition immediately. I hope that there are still some police and DSWD personnel who truly have hearts and care for orphaned, neglected, and abused children who are hurting and suffering, not just because they want to be known or acknowledged.
Not long ago, the orphanage where I was staying was shut down because of fabrication and false accusations by some heartless people. I was very young at that time, and I had no idea what was happening back then. I was scared and didn’t want to leave, but I had no choice. I was transferred to the Subic Bay Children’s Home along with some of the kids who came from the orphanage in Batangas.
I can still remember the day we arrived at the Children’s Home. A handsome young man with a smiley face opened the gate for us and welcomed us with open arms. I also remember that I went up to him and hugged him tight, feeling welcomed and loved already. This man was Pastor Odek Valbuena.
In the children’s home, I felt and learned what real love is. Love isn’t about material things or luxuries; it’s about people who sacrifice their lives and leave their comfortable life just to give love to children who are longing to be loved. I witnessed this firsthand from the Fulfers and the Valbuenas, seeing how they gave all their love to us the same way they gave their love to their own children. There were times when I saw them using their own money to buy us food when our funds weren’t enough. They would do anything and everything they could to provide for us. They also ate with us at the dining table like a regular family.
I know I wasn’t easy to love because I was very wicked. If you only knew how much heartache I gave to Pastor Teddy-Ligaya, Nanay Ligaya Fulfer, Pastor Odek-Annalisa Valbuena, and Mother , and yet they continued to be so loving and caring toward me like their own child. Whenever they disciplined someone, it always came from the Bible, and that’s how they disciplined us.
I am now 24 years old, and I have never experienced or seen children being used, abused, or harassed by my family. Instead, they give them love, education, attention, food, and most importantly, the Word of God. I see them as my own family, and nothing and no one will ever change the way I see them or the love I have for them.
I am now one of the house parents for the girls, teaching K4 and K5 students, going on a feeding ministry every Saturday, and serving as a teacher for beginner Sunday School.
It’s my time now to be a blessing to them, just as they’ve been a blessing to me, and to pass on what I’ve learned to the next generation of children.
Having said all that, my heart was shattered when I found out the children’s home was getting shut down due to some false accusations. I felt like I was mourning a death because that’s how I’ve been feeling until now.
The Subic Bay Children’s Home family (Fulfers, Valbuenas, staff, children, and friends) is all I have. So, please, to whoever is trying to destroy my home and family, stop doing this. Instead, just focus on how you can be a blessing to the children who need a loving home, family, and most importantly, who need Jesus, because that’s the main goal. It’s not just about having a temporary beautiful place to live in but, most importantly, getting to know Christ as their own Lord and Personal Savior so that they can be with Him forever someday. You can only do that if you have real love for God and for abandoned, abused, neglected, and orphaned children.