BLOG #1
[Help While You Can]
It was a glooming Saturday, I was at the mall with my boyfriend. We've been very busy lately, so we thought of hanging out together at a public place.
When we arrived, we happen to pass by a stall that sells bread. Balak namin sana pumunta sa isang fast-food chain upang kumain. Suddenly, on that stall, I saw an old man, wearing loose pants and a not-so-new shirt. He was talking to the lady vendor.
"Tag-pira ini?" he asked while pointing at the bread which was displayed in the glass. I didn't got the chance to hear the response of the vendor kasi medyo nakalayo-layo na kami nun.
I stopped my boyfriend from walking by pulling his hand making him face me.
"Kitaa daw adto" sabi ko sa kaniya while pointing at the old man who's already walking pero walang bitbit na tinapay. I somehow felt pity and worried. What if that old man is hungry but doesn't have enough money to buy the bread for him to eat?
"Ano?" he asked me. "Bangin kulang iya kwarta, nakadto kasi hiya didto, napakiana kun tag-piran tinapay." I replied.
I saw him furrowed his brows as if he's processing the situation. I noticed he opened his bag, took out his wallet and lifted a hundred peso bill. "Hatag nala nat adi"
We walked towards the old man who was standing straight while watching at the TV near the said stall.
"Tay, ano ini..." panimula ng kasama ko na may pakamot-kamot pa sa ulong nalalaman. And then, the old man fixed his gaze at us.
"...Nakit-an ka nam kanina ngadto nga tipalit hin tinapay, na-kuan la po kami kay bangin kulang nim kwarta asya waray ka palit" he continued.
I saw the old man smiled. "Aw oo, kumadto ak, pero waray kasi nira pandesal, amo unta nak ginbibiling"
I didn't know what to react with his answer. Ni hindi ako makapagsalita. My boyfriend replied, "Aw amo ngean po? Gasi namon kulang po an imo kwarta"
The old man giggled. "Aw diri doy, may kanan pension ako ngadi. Waray liwat kasi nira pandesal asya waray ak palit. Mamiling nalak ngadi ha iba nga bakeshop" he answered while still displaying his genuine smile.
We chuckled of that statement. "Sorry po, huna namon waray kala iparalit, baga nakuan la kami"
"Diri doy, hahaha. Salamat"
With that, I somewhat felt relieved and overwhelmed, not because our 100php was saved and he has money, but for the reason that he won't starve. I know I judged him that quickly just by seeing his physical appearance, but would you blame me? or laugh because I was worried and concerned?
Marami na kasi akong nakikita at napapansing mga taong kahit hindi nanlilimos, alam mo at makikita mo that they need money or something. Kahit saang lugar pa yan, mapa-mall man o labas lang ng bahay, as long as you know that there's someone who needs your help, lend a helping hand. Help as long as you can. Wala namang mawawala kung tumulong ka. Just simple gestures means something. There are lots of instances na kasi, whenever we try to go to public places and we noticed someone na kulang yung pera o batang nanlilimos, at mga batang hindi nanlilimos pero nakatingin sa pagkain, we try to give them some, kahit konti lang pera namin o kahit pamasahe nalang, because you know in yourself na mas kailangan nila iyon kesa sa'yo.
With that scenario, I'm grateful na hindi na-misinterpret ni Lolo yung ginawa namin. I admire his humble response and gratitude, thanking our acts and all. May God bless you, Tatay/Lolo 💙