A lesson learned in the Philippines

Last year, I went to the Philippines with my family. On the second day of the trip, we went to a small island and had lunch there. After lunch, there were some leftovers on our table. 'Let's feed the stray dogs!' my brother suggested, as there were several stray dogs loitering around close by on the beach.

As we did this, a local man approached us and said with an air of embarrassment: 'Can you please stop feeding them? We haven't had our lunch yet.'

I didn't get his meaning at first. Then he explained: 'I mean ... we eat your leftovers.'

My brother and I suddenly felt terrible. But, at the same time, I was touched because I realised the local people had served us the best food they had.

It made me realise how important it is to treasure everything around us. At the very least, we should not take for granted delicious food cooked in restaurants or by our parents every day.

Lam Yan-kiu, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College