A look back with one of TOPS pioneers: Atty. Teresita Sison-Cruz

A home to every generation of children: recalling TOPS’ history with pioneer member Atty. Teresita

TOPS began in 1969 as an eager group of UP women lawyers and that despite their modest set-up in the Judicial & Domestic Relations Court, then presided by Justice Corazon “Rosy” Juliano Agrava, approached their bold ambition earnestly: to save homeless children from the dangers of the streets and support their nurture and growth.

In an interview, Atty. Teresita Cruz Sison, one of the original members of TOPS, reminisced about that fateful year with Judge Rosy who was “alarmed at the escalating case load of juvenile crimes and misdemeanors in her court, convoked a preliminary meeting of friends like Justice Ameurfina Melecio Herrera, Gregoria Cruz Arnaldo, Socorro Tirona Liwag, me and others to form an organization.”

It was with this intimate group that Judge Rosy “laid out her plans to save delinquent and truant children from the lure of the streets that give free rein to their undirected life,” Atty. Teresita added. 

Thus, the Tahanan Outreach Programs and Services, Inc. (TOPS) came into being. 

“The first problem that beset our group was where we could build a sanctuary for the boys under our close supervision and guidance,” Atty. Teresita recalled. According to her Justice Agrava approached the Manila City Mayor sought his support to secure a piece of public land in the city for the “restless and purposeless youth roaming the streets”. The mayor had no public land for TOPS, but was able to get ahold of a generous personality who gave a piece of land, for free, in Sta. Ana where the TOPS home currently stands.

“We were able to raise funds in no time and finally, we were ready for our first batch of occupants,” continued Atty. Teresita. The TOPS staff roamed Manila and was able to coax street children to stay at the 2nd floor of the TOPS building where they were given three meals a day, a bed to sleep on, and hygiene kits.

But unfortunately, some kids wanted to go back to the streets. Atty Teresita recalled their surprise when one of the earliest batches of rescued children “escaped and went back to their old haunts to be able to evade strict supervision of TOPS. Other batches followed. This went on for some time, until TOPS in exasperation, discontinued the project. TOPS decided that these boys are better off in Boys Town.”

With a vacant building waiting to be occupied and personnel ready to serve, the TOPS Board decided to redirect their concern and attention to the education of preschool children in the neighborhood. It was a happy switch to Atty. Teresita, and said it was “a beautiful sight seeing the fathers bringing their children to our school before they go to work and the mothers fetching their children at school’s dismissal,” fostering a happy relationship between the students and their teachers and that of understanding between parents and teachers.

“I trust this project of ours will long survive us and the school children we produced be of service not only to the neighborhood but to society, as well,” she added.

Atty. Teresita was the first woman president of the Philippine Bar Association (PBA), the oldest voluntary organization of lawyers in the country, 128 years strong. Yet she was humble in talking about her role in TOPS. Merely “signing checks,” she said in jest. At 92 years old, she has aged gracefully, but the glow of youth has remained and showed itself in her charming love of ice cream that she offered us repeatedly when we visited her home in Manila — and who could refuse treats from their elder?

Despite her age, she had only officially resigned as TOPS’ treasurer recently, one year shy of 50 years of service to TOPS. But her heart has stayed there anyway, just like its founder, Justice Rosy who had “put her heart and soul to have that going, and up to now, after decades, it’s still there.” 

Atty. Teresita had nothing but confidence for the future of TOPS. Talking about the board, she was sure “they are all able, and they are all anxious to make good,” and that the future remains bright for the children of TOPS. With the last of its pioneers stepping down, TOPS has taken another step towards a new chapter, eager to take care of its own generation of children with the same heart and the same fire as 50 years ago.