I found this story shared in one of my friend's Facebook Timeline. I can't help my tears from falling while reading the whole story. I realized how blessed I am despite the circumstances in my life.
I just feel the need to share this let to everyone know that there is HOPE despite the calamities that most of our countrymen in Luzon is facing right now.
PLEASE READ THE WHOLE STORY. I GUARANTEE YOU THAT THIS IS WORTH YOUR PRECIOUS TIME.
I am just sharing this picture of a very humble guy named ROLDAN JIMENEZ PINEDA, 63yrs old, from Kawayan, Isabela. You don’t need to
read everything if you feel lazy, but all I need to ask you is pray for his safety. I am not a writer, but I will try to tell you the story.
Here's what happened:
Just this windy and rainy morning, I was in my friend's canteen. It is just beside the subdivision where I live. I was chatting with my friend's dad about some business. This humble guy came in front caught my attention. He was not asking for money nor anything. Instead, he ordered P5 worth of rice. He cannot even look directly because he feels so shy. He said, "Maaari po bang bumili ng limang pisong kanin?" His hair is so wet that's why he covered it with a small towel. His clothes are kinda wet too.
When I heard his shaking
voice, I can feel that he is tired, cold, and starving. He has a green
backpack and a sack with old boxes and plastic bottles. I suddenly felt
sorry about him, that my heart was telling me that I need to do
something. Instead of me just sitting on my chair, I decided to stand up
and tried talking to him. I asked him if that small amount of rice
would satisfy him. He said that he was planning to eat some of it and
save some, then continue walking til he reach Nueva Ecija which is more
than a hundred miles I think.
His destination would be Kawayan, Isabela,
where he lives. He asked if he can fill his bottle with some water. I
said, sure. While I was putting water in his used old bottle, I told him
to order some more food so he can eat. Told him not to worry because I
will pay it for him. Mang Roldan never asks for money. He earns his own
by selling bottles at the junk shops. His eyes turned red, while he was
trying to hold his tears. He said that he can’t thank me enough.
MANG ROLDAN: Nahihiya po ako kasi ganito lang suot ko.(- I feel shy because of what I am
MANG ROLDAN: Nahihiya po ako kasi ganito lang suot ko.(- I feel shy because of what I am
wearing.)
ME: Akong bahala po sainyo. Ano pong gusto nyong kainin? (- That is ok. Do not worry. What do
you wanna eat?)
MANG ROLDAN: Wala po ako sa posisyon para pumili. Kahit gulay lang po o
yung pinakamura. (-
I am not in the position to choose. I can have
vegetables or the cheapest food
would be fine.)
ME: Kailangan nyo pong kumain. Order po kayo kahit ano, yung siguradong mabubusog kayo. (-
ME: Kailangan nyo pong kumain. Order po kayo kahit ano, yung siguradong mabubusog kayo. (-
You need to eat, and make sure to satisfy yourself.)
I took his hand so he can walk beside the stand where he can choose.
While they were giving him his food, I told him that I need to go home
and get some money so I can pay his bill. At home, I grabbed my old
camouflage jacket which I gave him.
We talked about his tragic story and his plans. Years ago, he needed to sell their house and lot because his wife had a bone disease. Sadly, everything was spent but his wife didn’t make it. He had 3 children. The first born were twins, died because of bronchopneumonia. While the youngest was ran over by a bus.
He tried putting a small business by selling fishballs in Manila, but in
the time of Bayani Fernando, MMDA took his carts and destroyed them. Mang Roldan and his family are church people. You can tell with the way
he speaks. He visited Pampanga to see his sister/brother. Too bad he
wasn’t able to meet the only family that he knows. Hearing his story
broke my heart.
I also noticed that he cannot walk straight
because of his swollen left leg. “Lumipad yung bato na nadaanan nung
gulong ng jeep, tumama sa paa ko” he said. (A rock smaller than my fist
was the reason) He thanked me for the food and jacket. I handed him some
money so he can ride the bus and buy food. He said that he cannot give
me anything in return.
Seeing him wipe his tears made me feel super sad
that it made me cry too. I was speechless. I shaked his hand and told
him that his story was enough for me to learn things, and I was happy
that I was able to help him. I gave him my umbrella so he will not get
wet on his journey. He didn’t want to take it, but I insisted. (I hope
my mom won’t notice that her umbrella is missing).
While Mang Roldan was crossing the street I was looking at him. I
noticed that he was walking towards a corner. He saw a beggar on the
side. You know what he did? He did not share the food that he had, HE
GAVE EVERYTHING! Rice, bread, and water. That’s it! That was priceless! I
knew that this man is special. He touched my heart. I realized that
what I gave him is not even enough. Salt water fell from my eyes. (even
while I’m typing now).
I decided to go to him when I noticed that busses
and jeepneys were not stopping because of discrimination. So we waited
for a bus and I took his picture. He smiled and said, “half-body lang
ha, nakakahiya may dala akong sako. Hehehe!” What a guy! He can still
smile after all the things that he went through. Finally, a bus stopped.
I told him to act as if he is my uncle. Before he stepped on the bus,
he thanked me again. I waved goodbye and said “Ingat Tito, text mo ko
kaagad.” I said it loud so the conductor will hear me and pretend that
Mang Roldan has a cellphone.
I don’t know, but he was like an angel that was sent to teach me and realize lots of things. That is why I decided to put it on FB, hoping that you will learn from it. If only I am wealthy enough, I would love to do more things just to help more needy, homeless, poor, deserving people. I have been planning to create my own Foundation since I was young. Well, God has plans for all of us. Maybe someday I will. I also hope I could meet Mang Roldan again, and give him a fishball business or have him help me helping others.
You can share this if you want. If not, just please pray that God bless the people like Mang Roldan. May God Bless you too =)
Joram
Disclaimer: Originally shared in I am 100% Filipino!
9 comments:
what a very interesting story..thanks for sharing!
labay ko dire kadali...ehhehee!
a truly inspiring story maybe that's why a lot of people are re-sharing this.
Thanks for the visit sis and for the wishes to my running blog :) Taraletz takbo tayo :)
this is a very touching story...i am touched with Joram's kind heart although i am sad about the man's situation...having no family to run to is the saddest thing while we are earth. i hope to least he has friends
i just can't help it but im crying right now..just telling...this story truly touched my heart
My tears are flowing down my cheeks while reading this story. I just can't help it. Mang Roldan really touched my heart. He is one in million. I just wish I could meet him too so I could help him. May mga tao pa rin pala dito sa mundo na katulad niya. Inspite of his situation and what he had been through, he has still that smile on his face and he help other people too. I am also blessed by Joram. He has such a big heart just like Mang Roldan. Thanks for sharing this. It's really a blessing. Mind if I post this in my blog?
What a heartrending story, Rovz! I actually saw his photo at FB but never cared to read the story not until you published it here. May his pure heart be more blessed. Thanks for sharing Rovz and for the comment at my comatosed blog. LOL!
TAGA dito pala sa region ko si mang roldan.
its very touching story.. Tears came from my eyes.
thanks for sharing this story with us.
Copied this story Rovs and will save on my lappy to always remind me that God is so good for making us blessed with everything. Mang Roldan's story is an inspiration to everyone!
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