This rider grants wishes on his birthday for children with cancer

Real life superheroes do not wear capes

Many of us look forward to our birthdays and how we will celebrate it with our family and friends, usually, with a celebration at home. Some of these even turn into drinking sessions until the last man standing. For Atty. Peds Faytaren, each year during his birthday, he takes off his Barong and dresses down. “Each year, I become a professional beggar,” he says.

For the past couple of years, Atty. Peds puts together a wish list from the children at the Child Haus — a halfway home or temporary shelter for children with cancer undergoing treatment at various government hospitals here in the metro. He finds sponsors or donors to procure the items in these children’s wish list.

_{The real Ironman, Ricky Reyes, who founded Childhaus 15 years ago.}

15 years ago, celebrity stylist and beauty products magnate, Ricky Reyes, founded the Center for Health Improvement & Life Development or Child Haus Manila, after seeing children undergoing medical evaluation and chemotherapy at the Philippine General Hospital. He was told that these children came from the provinces and it was just too hard and impractical for these children and their guardians to go back and forth from their homes to the hospital that they resorted to sleeping in the streets, further complicating their health.

During the organization’s early years, they were housed at the Quezon Institute along E. Rodriguez in Quezon City, but they were evicted after the institute was (at the time) being sold by the government to a real estate developer. 

Hans Sy, through his personal savings, managed to acquire a property at Agoncillo St. in Paco. Manila a few years ago. It is now the permanent home for Child Haus.

These children’s wishes range from things as simple as cellphone load to needs like strollers, diapers or milk for them to use while they are undergoing treatment. Atty. Peds recalls that he was brought there by a friend who volunteered at the facility. He was touched by these children and from then on, grabbed every opportunity to help them. Atty. Faytaren has turned his birthdays into a celebration of life, giving hope to these children who are fighting the dreaded disease.

We joined him during his most recent birthday celebration. After the gift-giving, a simple celebration followed as Atty. Peds’ family, friends and the children shared a bountiful meal. According to Ricky Reyes, Child Haus Manila has already sheltered 16,000 children throughout its 15 years of existence and about 98% of these children went on to full recovery.

_{These volunteer cosplayers brought the Marvel Universe to life.}

This year's celebration was made extra special thanks to special guests, the Avengers, taking a break from the Infinity War to put smiles on these children's faces.

_{Kuya Wins of the REAPers has this special talent of making toy balloons for kids.}

The celebration was also joined by heroes on two wheels, the Royal Enfield Association of the Philippines (REAPers), who even showed off some of their hidden talents. 

_{The REAPers bringin out the child in them.}

“I hope I could inspire more people to help these children. Maybe not now but soon.” said Atty. Peds.

He has certainly inspired us, with his selflessness and has proven that real life superheroes do not need to wear capes. Some of them wear helmets.

For inquiries about donations or volunteer work, visit Child Haus's Facebook Page. See the kids in perosn by visiting Child Haus along Agoncillo St. in Paco Manila.