An uploaded image of a scrawny man watching his daughters enjoy a fried chicken meal in a known fast-food chain went viral, garnering thousands of likes and shares from netizens.
The photo, taken by real estate professional Jhunnel Sarajan, depicts selfless love. Sarajan returned the following day to get more details about the family as people expressed interest to provide help.
In his Facebook post, Sarajan found out that the old man is a single father to his two daughters, and a stroke victim.
Sarajan also posted details on how to help the family, which include phone number of JR Arebuaba, the man's uncle.
ABS-CBN News took the effort to find the man and his children.
Ryan Arebuaba, the man in the viral photo, lives in a 4-square-meter house in Barangay 61 in Tondo, Manila, made of used plywood and iron sheets.
The 38-year-old man had a stroke four years ago, when he was still selling corn in the neighborhood. He said he never underwent therapy sessions. His last visit to the doctor was three years ago.
Arebuabo was unable to work for months because of the stroke. His body was paralyzed and he had a hard time speaking.
His wife later on left him, taking their two kids with her.
"Dati sabi niya may tindahan daw siya sa Bulacan," Arebuabo said. "Babalik, tapos aalis na naman. Hanggang sa hindi na talaga bumalik. Isinama pa pati mga anak ko."
Arebuabo's sister, Ria, said he did all he could to convince his wife to return.
"Siya, kahit ano pang masasamang marinig niya tungkol sa asawa niya, talagang gusto niyang mabuo 'yong pamilya niya. Tatlong beses nga niyang sinundan sa Bulacan 'yong asawa niya, pero wala talaga," she said.
Arebuabo eventually succeeded in getting custody of their children.
"Buti na lang iyung mga bata, naibalik sa kanya. Baka kasi kung ano pa ang gawin niya. Baka sila ang maging lakas niya para humaba pa ang buhay niya," Ria said.
Despite his condition, the selfless father still managed to bring food on the table and support his children's education. Both Rose May, 6, and Rose Ann, 8, are studying at Jose Corazon De Jesus Elementary School.
Arebuabo is one of the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a government initiative that provides conditional cash grants to the "poorest of the poor, to improve the health, nutrition, and the education of children."
Every other month, Arebuabo said he receives P2,200, which he uses to buy school supplies and other needs of his children.
He also received a stall cart from DSWD, which he turned into a sari-sari store wherein he earns P100 to P200 in a day-- enough to bring meals to the table.
Everyday, Arebuabo wakes up at 5 a.m. to help his children prepare for school. One afternoon, he decided to bring his kids to a fast-food chain to celebrate Rose Mae's upcoming graduation.
Both kids ordered their favorite meal, while their father just satisfied his hunger by watching them enjoy the meal. "Hindi na po ako kumain. Makita ko lang na busog sila, okay na ako," he said.
Source / Images: ABS-CBN
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