If anyone can give good advice, it is Brando, the Voice of Experience.  Brando came to Stairway two years ago from a rehabilitation center in Manila to be treated for tuberculosis.  After successfully treating him, he was referred to Tuloy ng Don Bosco in Alabang, where he would have a formal education.  Unfortunately, while there, Brando, contracted pulmonary tuberculosis, again and was referred back to Stairway.  But this time, not just as a client to be treated for his ailment, but as a voice of experience for the new batch of incoming kids.  Brando's invaluable experiences helped to make their adjustment to their new surroundings smooth and trouble free.

Below are a few of Brando's wise sayings:

"In Stairway, I learned to respect myself and others."

"Before, I was not contented in what I had because I needed to survive and because of this, I learned to snatch.  You should not use this attitude here in Stairway because all of your needs are here in Stairway.  Clothes, food, materials, etc."

"Before, I do not know how to give respect to myself when I engaged in pornography to earn money and meet my wants.  But then I learned which things are needs and wants.  The difference between the two is really big.  You need to think first before you get things from others.  Ask yourself, "Is this a need or only a want?""

"Trust is very important.  Once you enter Stairway, trust is immediately given, so you must take care of trust and not abuse it."

"The things you have been given by Stairway are very important: you have uniforms and clothes for daily use and clothes for sports.  You need to care and love the things that Stairway gives."

Brando will complete his treatment for tuberculosis here in Stairway and will return to Don Bosco in July. Let's just hope that he will continue to influence and to impart his wise sayings to other children, as well as to himself, in their struggle to grow healthier, wealthier and wiser.