NEIL: Never Exit In Life

Personal nga gicongratulate ni Yanong Muloy ang human beat boxer nga si Neil Llanes human sa iyang performance sa gipahigayong DXGN Spirit FM Dinner for a cause. (NEMRIC UMALI)

This is just one among the verses Neil Rey Garcia Llanes chose to be printed in his official “T-shirts for a Cause.” He is the grand winner of TV 5 show, “Talentadong Pinoy” December last year.

Neil, during his younger years, discovered how hard life is. With his dream – to build a house for his family that faces financial struggles, he showcases his talent not just for the fame, but also to help other people.

“Everyday ko nagapasalamat kang God.” He repeatedly expressed during the interview.

In return for all the blessings that God gave him, the well-known young beat boxer from Davao City who got four “yeses” from the judges of the reality talent show, Asia’s Got Talent (AGT) at Malaysia last January 2015, Neil wants to give back by helping street children in the city by promoting his shirts.

“Neil’s T-shirt for a cause” was conceptualized when he got bored in class; he designed it for himself at first with a motto: “Never Exit In Life”, which came from the letters of his name and was produced after his performance at AGT. He soon realized that instead of having it for himself, he would rather raise funds in helping the children in need.

With the help of his friends, he finalized his design and gradually promote it after every performance. He was also encouraged to market his T-shirt online by creating a page on Facebook, ‘Neil Llanes T-shirt.’

His beneficiaries are the street children at Paginhawaan Drop-in Center. The T-shirt worth 300php will be used to buy sleeping materials that the agency lacks like blankets, bed mats, mosquito nets, and many others.

After AGT, many blessings came upon him through many opportunities like traveling inside and outside the country – Moscow Russia, Dubai, Sweden, India, Oslo Norway, Denmark, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Netherlands, Taiwan, Amsterdam, and many more, just to display his talent and experience the world.

“I remember when my ReEd (Religious Education) teacher asked what I will do if ever I saw a beggar on the street, I recall answering that – if ever I don’t have any money or food to give, I will just pray to God that He will help them.” He answered when asked what for him the act of being merciful is. “Being merciful comes not just from huge things but also in small ones,” he added. He also believe that his purpose in life is to share the love, share the mercy and to inspire many people.

In the future he wishes that the cause will gradually grow bigger so that he could help many street children.

When asked “why do you think we need mercy?” he answered “because everyone deserves another chance. My mother also told me – dili magdumot. Iampo lang sila.”

Neil still continues to give mercy and he was hoping that he would continue to influence others to be merciful, brave and courageous just like him. (Cathyrine Molles)