A Surprise Visit from Chummy Chum

4 April 2025

Street Children along Adriatico Street

Brgy 704 Malate Manila.

For many years and many drives, a colorful van with a playful baby dinosaur on the side had been zipping through the busy streets of Manila. The children who lived along those roads would stop, wave, and stare with wide-eyed wonder. Who is that friendly and jolly dino? they thought. And what’s inside that magical van?

That baby dinosaur was none other than Chummy Chum—and this time, he wasn’t just passing by. Oh no, he had a very special surprise in store!

One sunny day, while the streets bustled as usual, the Chummy Chum team rolled in—not just to wave but to visit the children. The streets, which doubled as playgrounds for many kids, suddenly felt different. Excitement was in the air!

A few days before, the team had reached out to kind-hearted volunteers from the neighborhood to help gather the children in a safe, quiet spot.

When the van arrived, it was like a party on wheels had landed! The team quickly set up a colorful booth filled with yummy treats, sweet surprises, and special gifts. Off to the side, a giant pot of warm, chocolatey champurrado was waiting—its sweet smell floating through the air like a delicious hug.

Then came the biggest moment of all: Chummy Chum himself appeared! The children squealed with joy as the big, cuddly dinosaur mascot waved, played, and helped hand out food and gifts. It was a super hot day, but Chummy Chum didn’t mind—he was there to make kids smile!

Even though there wasn’t enough space for a full Chummy Chum dance (he has some pretty cool moves!), Chummy Chum stayed to share hugs, high-fives, and happy moments with nearly 100 children.

For a little while, the kids weren’t just watching a magical van from the sidewalk—they were part of the magic. In their hearts, a new spark of hope was lit. Even in tough times, the visit reminded them that they are seen, loved, and important.

The Chummy Chum team sends a big thank-you to the amazing volunteers of Barangay 704, who helped make the day safe and smooth, and a very special shout-out to SM City Sucat for their support through the Bears of Joy.

And guess what? This won’t be the last magical stop for Chummy Chum. There’s definitely a next time—and more smiles to share.