A young girl with Down syndrome was moved to tears when she found cash hidden inside her birthday cake during a surprise celebration with her family.

Ashley Shane Peniero, 15, became emotional when her loved ones organised a party for her in Bulacan, the Philippines.

Footage shows the teenager dressed in a fuchsia pink maxi dress, bursting into tears as she hugged her mother in their dining area on November 9.

She took a deep breath before blowing out the candle on her purple ube-flavoured cake, surrounded by her parents and relatives.

Moments later, Ashley pulled the silver 'Happy Birthday' sign from the top of the cake, revealing several peso bills tucked inside.

Overwhelmed, she grimaced and cried tears of joy, wrapping her arms around her mother again as her family cheered.

Her father then joined in, hugging and kissing his emotional daughter before she continued pulling more bills from the cake.

Family and friends later gave her gifts, including dresses, toys, and cash, as she sat beaming in front of them.

Ashley's brother, Jose Glynn Panes Jr, said: 'My sister was so happy that she cried. She had no idea we had prepared something for her—not even a cake or a small celebration.

'Ashley is a Down syndrome warrior. She was born with a hole in her heart, and when she was a baby, we were in and out of the hospital almost every week. The doctor even told us she might only live until seven years old, but by God's grace, she is now 15, strong and full of life.

'She still takes her maintenance medication, but we're grateful that she continues to grow healthier and happier every year. Seeing her genuinely happy reminds us how blessed we are to have her. She is our joy, our miracle, and our inspiration.'