Title: "Mano po"
by: Orlan Gumatay

Subtitled: "Don't stop the little children to come to me"(GWTransation)

      First, I would like to post this cartoon in honor of those innocent children who lost their lives because of the mass shooting that happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Connecticut this month. I can't imagine the horror, the loss and pain their parents and love ones have to endure especially on this Holiday Season, knowing they won't see them again. I for one, being a parent very much and deeply sympathized with them, it was tragic beyond words!(My thoughts and prayers are with them). And with this horrendous event, our country was able to join together on condemning such senseless killings. Though, we cannot alleviate their pain but my hope and prayer is that they may find consolation in this, that these children whom we weren't able to protect to the utmost of our power from harm and death  are now safe in the arms of our holy, just, loving and gracious God in heaven who by nature is a Saviour.

ABOUT THE DRAWING:

    Every Christmas mornings in the culture where I came from,  kids would arrive and start lining up in front of their elders(e.g. ninong, ninangs, dads, moms, aunties, uncles, grandpa's, grandma's, etc.) and then one-by-one would reach for their right hand and hold them towards their forehead in a gesture of respect and submission. Then in turn, the elders would respond by blessing them with gifts more often in monetary form called "aguinaldo".
    This is a common Filipino practice as even adults would do especially when visiting relatives or just coming home from work and such(without expecting the aguinaldo of course!).

    This cartoon came about two years ago, while being part of a discussion on putting up an orphanage in the Philippines.  I entitled it, "Mano po", the word mano etymologically is of Spanish origin meaning hand. And po is a Tagalog word generally used to address elders or superiors. It is also a polite iteration of the affirmative yes(wikipedia).
    The drawing was inspired by the words of Scripture and from the very mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself,

         "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for such belongs the kingdom of heaven"(Matt. 19: 14/ESV)