In complete contrast to the recent scandal he got enmeshed in a few weeks back, Richard celebrated his 21st birthday in such a meaningful way. He visited cancer patients, all children, at the Child House in the PCSO compound last Tuesday in Manila.

Along with Angel Locsin, who is Richard’s on-screen partner (and rumored to be his offscreen sweetheart, too) in the phenomenal "Mulawin" and the current blockbuster "Let The Love Begin," the young stars cherished the experience of getting to know the juvenile patients afflicted with dreadful diseases and women suffering from cervical cancer. "I’m really blessed to have the kind of life that God has given me," an emotional Richard said, "it’s unimaginable how blessings can happen to some people while bad things befall others."

The decision to spend his day with children and women who are walking that fine line between life and death is such an eye-opener that Richard realized "how blessed I am with the people around me. Ang dami palang nagmamahal sa akin. Ang daming taong sumusuporta sa akin and I’m very fortunate to have them in my life."

The thing that struck the young actor the most was how these children find hope even when, in our eyes, hope seems to have forgotten them.

Richard chose CHILD (Center for Health Improvement and Life Development) under the Ricky Reyes Foundation because he knows how kids look up to him. He was surprised how something as simple as sharing a meal with them and playing with the children could do so much for them. Richard made sure he spent ample time with each child in every room in the ward.

To Richard, the experience is as memorable to him as it was to the children, "I just want to share my blessings with the less fortunate and sick people. This is my way of thanking God for all the blessings. Masarap ‘yung feeling na ‘pag pumupunta kami sa ganitong lugar, napapasaya namin sila kahit minsan lang. This could be an unforgettable moment for them, and at least natouch namin ‘yung buhay nila kahit sandali lang."

Angel’s presence that day had been a blessing to the kids as well. Undoubtedly Angel is as much a kids’ icon as Richard is because of playing Alwina. When Angel got to the shelter, she couldn’t help but feel the anguish of the ill-fated youngsters. She was moved to tears, immediately after getting in contact with them.

The impact of young lives battling cancer left such a huge space in Angel’s heart that she promised herself that she will come back to the shelter. "Pumunta ako dito kasi gusto ko rin talagang makatulong at magpasaya sa tao. Gusto kong ishare ‘yung blessings na natatanggap ko ngayon. Actually happy ako na naisipan ni Richard na pumunta kami dito," she said.

Angel is more than willing to use her influence as Alwina to give inspiration and will for the children to go on. Her message to them: "Sana ‘wag mawalan ng pag-asa ang mga bata dito."