Text and photos by Drew Francisco
“You are all winners today.”
Those were the parting words of Fr Rocky Evangelista, SDB to the contestants of Mr World 2019 who visited Tuloy Foundation in Alabang, Muntinlipa City in the Philippines on August 10.
And the contestants were indeed “winners” as they were treated to a heartwarming welcome by the children of Tuloy. They also spent the morning bonding with the children, knowing their stories, and inspiring them to do more in life.
The contestants also had a Q&A session with Fr. Evangelista. Mr El Salvador David Pivaral asked how he can help more kids in his country. Fr Evangelista told him to “be patient”.
“It’s not like putting together a piece of furniture. With children, you have to take time and build through emotion. Give them love and opportunities.”
The contestants were joined by Miss World Organisation chairman and CEO Julia Morley, Miss World 2018 Vanessa Ponce de Leon and Miss World 2016 Stephanie del Valle.
Fr. Evangelista, who Morley described as “the person I admire the most in the world”, founded Tuloy Foundation in 1993 as a a home and training center for street children. He was given the Humanitarian Award during the Miss World 2017 finals in China. Missosology.Org
