10 ‘scoops’ in 2013 to restore your faith in humanity

The most liked YouScoop shots of 2013 displayed the kindness of strangers.

Some of the most heartwarming moments were featured on News To Go's annual “Good Scoop of the Year” contest where netizens voted via Facebook "likes."

10. Houseful of paper hearts

YouScooper Vic Regala of Imus, Cavite surprised his wife of seven years on Valentine's Day with this spectacle made of paper cutouts. The hearts came with sweet messages, quotes on love, memorable dates, and the couple's favorite things. Vic said he worked through the night while his wife slept so she could wake up to see the sight on Valentine's Day morning.



9. School girls rescue cat

YouScooper Mark Anthony Padil was on his way home last September when he chanced upon three girls rescuing a cat trapped in a wire mesh in Pasig City. The girls formed a human pyramid by stepping on each other's shoulders to reach the troubled feline. Mark took a video of the three kids with big smiles on their faces and the newly-rescued kitty in their hands.

8. Girl shares book with a street child

YouScooper Yen's trip to a Quezon City bank became memorable when she saw her bookworm daughter reading with another child. According to Yen, her daughter saw the child and offered to share a book with her.

7. Strangers build make-shift shelter for stray dog and pups

YouScooper Gerald Cabinatan and his friends from Cebu South Dog came together to save a stray dog named Sweetcha, which gave birth on a street in Talisay City, Cebu last May 16. Fearing for the safety of the dog and puppies, Gerald and friends transferred them to a makeshift shelter and provided them food and water while waiting for someone to adopt the dogs.

6. Lemonade for Yolanda survivors

Shekinah Eden Pugh was driving down her neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, when she saw two young girls selling lemonade off the street for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. The photo became viral and drew admiration from around the world.

5. Bayanihan of the people

There's no direct translation for the Filipino trait “Bayanihan” in English, but this photo summed it up. YouScooper Ramil Pajanustan was on the road  in Brgy. Imelda in Northern Samar when he saw this group of neighbors carrying a hut last May 23. Bayanihan in the traditional sense means neighbors helping move a whole house, but it can also be used to describe the magic of Filipinos uniting for a common good.

4. Amputee helps in Yolanda relief drive

What at first looked like an ordinary volunteer lifting sacks of rice for Yolanda victims was actually an amputee. YouScooper Rodel Soreta captured this photo during a relief drive at Barangay Valenzuela in Makati City.

3. Man gives own shorts to homeless person

If this isn't a perfect example of “clothe the naked” then what is? YouScooper Mario Jose said he and his friends were having a snack in Pila, Laguna, last May 26 when they saw a homeless man begging for alms. After receiving some food from the group, the homeless man turned to walk away but was stopped by one of Mario's friends. Without hesitation, Mario's friend took off the very pair of shorts he was wearing and offered it to the man who was wearing badly torn jeans. The man declined the shorts at first but then accepted it after Mario's friend insisted. Mario said his friend did not spend the day in his underwear as he had another pair of shorts with him and was able to change immediately.

2. The kindness of strangers

“Feed the hungry” is what this foreigner did in YouScooper Frances Joses Cantero's shot. Francis saw the man feeding some street children—about 6 to 13 years old—at a fast food outlet in La Salle Ave. in Bacolod City last June. Francis said the Good Samaritan ordered food for the eight street kids who were at the parking lot earlier and then gave food to two other street kids who arrived later on. Francis wasn't able to get the identity of the foreigner.

1. Poor girl donates for Yolanda survivors

Being young and underprivileged didn't stop LJ from helping victims of Typhoon Yolanda. Her family lives near a bridge and earns their keep by selling candles at a nearby church. When they were unable to buy candles, nine-year-old LJ decided to sell candies instead and donated all she earned for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda through a local church's relief drive. YouScooper Danilo Trinidad noticed LJ because she kept coming back to the donation booth with a few coins each time. Her photo and story was posted on YouScoop's Facebook page and gained 13,459 likes with almost 5,096 shares.

This photo was voted "Good Scoop of 2013." — KBK/HS, GMA News