Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you,  but being examples to the flock.  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. I Peter 5:2-4

A STUDENT IS NOT ABOVE HIS TEACHER, BUT EVERYONE WHO IS FULLY TRAINED WILL BE LIKE HIS TEACHER.

Luke 6:40.

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(ATE means big sister and KUYA means big brother. It's  a sign of respect and a symbol of family)

Testimony of Mary Rose O. Bautista -  Social Worker

(First staff at the Ranch)

          The kids at the ranch fondly call me Ate Rose or Teacher Rose at times. I am already married and bearing a child at present.

          I am a registered Social Worker, graduated from Sacred Heart College, a Catholic  school being managed by nuns. As soon as I became a registered Social Worker, I approached the desk of DSWD office in Lucena City for job availability. The Social Worker on duty then informed me that FHL Kid’s Ranch has a vacant position for registered Social Worker. Since I am residing near the ranch, I did not hesitate going there and applied for the position. Soon after, I found myself sitting in the office of FHL Kid’s Ranch doing case management.

          My task seems very easy because I am being seen seated in front of the computer. But the truth is, I’m feeling very tired at the end of the day, and it’s as if I lost all my energy. I have to finish all the paper works that the DSWD is requiring. I just always take my task as a challenge, and everyday as a new day to serve the Lord. This attitude turns my work pressure into fun and excitement. This is something I never thought I’d be doing. I just love kids, and that’s the only reason why I wanted to work in an orphanage.

          The biggest thing that I learned by working at the ranch is to always put God first, for without Him, I will be nothing. I grew up from a Catholic family. And eventually became a believer of Christ when I worked here. Since then, I always wanted to glorify God wherever I am and in everything I do. If there’s anything I could change at work, it’s going to be breaking away from all the paper works and spend more time with the kids. But I know this is not possible because it’s a part of my job.

          I consider myself a baby when it comes to my relationship with the Lord. But I believe in God’s grace, I grow spiritually everyday through devotions, Bible studies and fellowship with others. I am so happy to wake up everyday knowing that God is with me. It is He who makes me strong in facing life’s challenges and leads me to the right path. Me and my husband are now trying to have a daily personal devotion. We make it a point to read Bible and pray together at home daily.

Testimony of Gemma R. Curachea

          The kids at the ranch simply call me Ate Gemma. I’m a single mom with only one child.

          When I heard about the ranch, I immediately asked Mayeth, one of the house parents about it, and asked her if I could also work there. Though I wasn’t expecting that I would be working here as a house parent, I tried anyway and got hired. I can say that I am enjoying my job for four years now because I’m becoming more broad minded when it comes to challenges of life. The biggest thing that I learned by working here is humility. I also learned how to deal with children that have attitude problems, that I need to become more alert in dealing with them. I think there is nothing that I would want to change at work because everything is knitted in places.

          I became a Christian when I started working here.  Since then, I would say that the Lord is so good to me, and everything seems so easy for me to do especially when I get to hear the Word of God during Sundays and daily devotions. Even if there is heaviness in my heart at times, Jesus turned it into a blessing, and that’s how I learned that God does not slumber.

Testimony of Lydia Nona C. Esguerra

          The kids at the ranch call me Ate, Tita, and Teacher Diahlee. I’m married and having two boys and a girl.

          Before, I was a secretary at a coconut husk business. In the middle of year 2005, I heard about the Kid’s ranch and visited it personally. Then I asked one of the house parents, Mayeth, who happens to be my friend. And that’s when I started to work here as a school supervisor/monitor. I felt mixed emotions for my job. There is an excitement, and at the same time, I experience difficulties. With the children around, I also experience love and happiness.

          This is something I never thought I’d be doing. Being a mother, it is but right to discipline and help my kids with their studies. But handling a bulk of children in school with different moods, personality, and behavior, is quite a different thing. The biggest thing that I learned by working here at the ranch is to work with people from all walks of life, and get along with them, and to get along with the kids with different characters and attitudes. Given a chance, I wouldn’t want to change a thing here at the ranch. All the staff has unity and cooperation. It’s like we are one big family working together with the kids.

          I grew up with a Catholic belief. I got to know Jesus Christ personally when I came here at the ranch. Eventually, I was baptized   in the year 2006. I could say that there are lots of changes in my life since then. I am now more closed to God since I surrendered my life to Him and allow Him to take control of my life. I am always thankful whatever comes my way every day be it good or bad.

Testimony of Rebecca Cruzat Luna                                                                                                   I’m Rebecca Luna, and the kids fondly call me Ate Becca. I’m a single mom having 4 sons and a daughter. I’m a sole bread winner of the family. In order to do that, I entered into a buy and sell business, and then worked as a cooked in a canteen.

          One day, I heard from the kids in the neighborhood about the ranch, then I tried if I can work there as a cook. And so, I’ve been here as a cook and a house parent as well for barely two months now.

          I never had any expectations of working in an orphanage such as this. But I’m happy with my job especially when the kids give positive remarks about the food that I cooked. As a house parent, I’m enjoying being with the kids.  I became a Christian when I started working at the ranch. Since then, I felt that the Lord is always with me, and He’s giving me everything that I asked for.

Testimony of Neill C. Tolentino         (Principal of the School)

The kids at the ranch call me Kuya Neill. I’m still single, and worked as a Sales Development Representative of Coca-cola Company in Singapore. When I came back to the Philippines, I heard from neighborhood about FHL Kid’s Ranch. So I tried to see whether there is a chance for me to work there. Not sooner than that,  I was qualified  as a school supervisor. I’ve been working here for one year and eight months now. Because I love teaching and playing with the kids, I find my job very exciting and I’m having fun. This is something I never thought I’d be doing.

          The biggest thing that I’ve learned by working here is to trust God because I know that He knows what’s best for me. He is my Captain and I have to obey Him whatever He wants me to do.

          I became a Christian when I started working here. He makes me a better person. And everyday is a learning process for me. Now, I’m always reading my Bible, which I’ve never done before. I want to grow as a Christian, and I know I’m on the right track. 

(Neill works from 7:30 to 5:00. His specialty is math. Most of the time after school ,he will stay a bit longer and play basketball with the kids. Then he will come back at 7:00pm till 8:30 for tutorial with the kids. I've never met a person with the drive and heart to serve like Neill. Oh and one more thing, he helps me with all my accounting too). Amazing!!!

Testimony of Merlita C. Tolentino

          I’m ate merly for most of the kids at the ranch, but to others, I’m Teacher Merly. I’m married and have four children. (Neill is my son). I was just a plain housewife who owns a mini sari-sari store until I learned from my sister in law that there is a kid’s ranch nearby, and they were needing a staff. And now, I’m working here as a school supervisor/monitor for almost a year. Being one is full of challenges, but also full of fun and excitement. This is something I’ve never thought I’d be doing. For me, serving the kids is also serving the Lord, and I really love children. I don’t want to change anything in the ranch. I’m happy and satisfied with it.

          I grew up in a Catholic family, but I became aware of God’s salvation when I started working here at the ranch. The biggest thing that I learned by working here is that life is a matter of choices. We need to surrender everything to Him, for everything comes from Him, and that without God life is nothing.

          I know that I have a deeper relationship with the Lord now. The daily devotions, Bible studies every Sunday, and the fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ helped me and my family in facing the reality of life.

Testimony of Arlene M. Romano                                      

Some kids at the ranch call me Ate Arlene. My students call me Teacher Arlene.

          I’m still single and previously a contractual production operator at a certain company in Laguna. I was and hired me as a monitor. I’ve been working here for over a year now, and I find it less stressful because I also learn while I working. I’ve been a teacher before, and I really love teaching.

          I was raised in a Catholic belief, with which I thought was a real Christian. But when I started working here, I found the true meaning of a real Christian. Each day, I’m becoming more close to God as I get to know Him better. The greatest thing I’ve learned by working here is to serve the Lord with joy.

Testimonial of Jimuel C. Luna        

       The kids at the ranch call me Kuya Jimboy. I’m married and blessed with a son named Jim Andre.

         I’ve been working at the ranch as a cook and food server for a year now. But before I got here, I used to work in a piggery just nearby.

          The difficult part of my job is it’s sensitivity, because I make sure that the food I am preparing will not spoil the kids’ tummy. Beside this, I am enjoying what I’m doing, and I’m happy and content with my job. I've worked as a cook before in other places.

          The best thing I learned by working at the ranch is how the kids here are being disciplined. I've also learned to offer my life to Christ when I started working here. And I am so happy to discern what is right and what is wrong in serving God. Since then, I’ve been receiving so much blessings from Him. And it’s already a blessing knowing that He is always there for me.

Testimony of Elisa A. Figaroa        

          The kids at the ranch simply call me Ate. I’m married and now have three kids. Through my neighbors, I heard about the ranch, and that’s when I get here and worked as a house parent. For more than a year, I am working here as a substitute parent just like the other house parents of the ranch. We do our best for the kids to take care of them and guide them to the right path.

          I used to be a working mother. I was in a garment factory before I work here at the ranch. I was always away from my kids that I neglected giving them proper supervision. Whenever I get home from work, I was having difficulties in dealing with their attitudes till I found out that I was losing patient for my own kids. But when I worked here, I started to learn how to handle them. And that’s the biggest thing that I learned by working here, giving discipline to my kids.