I was browsing Facebook when I came up a story on my friend's page. It was shared by Joey Zeyer in Cabagan Square Park fan page. It really made me cry for almost an hour. I realized how thankful I should be in receiving God's unconditional favor and love. Joey's story goes like this:
I am just sharing this picture of a very
humble guy named ROLDAN JIMENEZ PINEDA, 63yrs old, from Isabela. You
don’t need to read everything if you are 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
 |
ROLDAN JIMENEZ PINEDA, 63yrs old, from Isabela, Philippines
|
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?" (Can I have a 5.00-worth of food?) 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 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'm quite shy with this clothes.)
ME: Akong bahala po sainyo. Ano pong gusto nyong kainin? (Don't worry, I'll be paying for everything. What do you want to eat?)
MANG ROLDAN: Wala po ako sa posisyon para pumili. Kahit gulay lang po o yung pinakamura. (Oh! I do not have the right to choose. Anything can do. Veges are much cheaper, that certainly can do for me.)
ME: Kailangan nyo pong kumain. Order po kayo kahit ano, yung siguradong mabubusog kayo.
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, Philippines but in
the time of Bayani Fernando, MMDA (government agency) 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. 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!” (Oh! sure, but just half body coz, I have a sack with me, such a shame!)
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.” (Take care, Uncle. Send me a message when get home). I said it loud so the conductor
will hear me.
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 also hope I could meet Mang Roldan again, and give
him a fishball business or have him help me helping others.
I
remember a book written by Father Jerry Orbos, that we should not be
just good Samaritans but we need to be Better Samaritans.
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 =)
Joey Zeyer
I was really moved to share this in Facebook, and post it here on blog. Do you think you can do great like what Joey Zeyer did?
Just me,
Phioxee
