These rainy days have brought out the best in some people.
On Saturday a netizen by the name of Jamie Curia posted several photos and a video that broke some people’s hearts. The reason: it showed an elderly taho vendor using a large plastic as his protection against the rain. But thanks to her post, a good Samaritan gave the vendor a pair of boots and a nice raincoat.
The subject of Curia’s Facebook post is Rolando Martinez, whom she calls Mang (Mister) Lando. Her first post showing Martinez using a plastic protector has gone viral, being shared more than 1,100 times.
Taho is a local snack made of tofu and sweetened with syrup. While it is sometimes sold in food courts and grocery stores, most Filipinos usually buy them from street vendors.
In her first post, Curia wrote the caption: “Are you tired from commuting every day to work? Look at Mang Lando, rain or shine he still sells taho. Raining cats and dogs? That’s no problem he could find a solution to that! [I] [s]alute this man for doing everything for his family [smiling emojis].”
Someone saw Curia’s post and sent her some cash to buy a raincoat and boots for Martinez, which the latter received just this morning. Curia also posted photos of Martinez wearing the new raincoat on Facebook.
Faith in humanity restored.
In a Facebook messenger interview with Coconuts Manila, Curia wrote in Filipino: “I’ve been buying from him since I was a child. He’s been selling taho for decades. He lives in Antipolo but he comes here in our subdivision, Marick, in Cainta [in Rizal].”
Martinez was beaming with joy when he saw the gifts. “He was so happy. He couldn’t stop saying ‘thank you,'” wrote Curia.
In her follow-up post, even the commenters were equally happy. A certain Catherine Martinez, who introduced herself as Matinez’s daughter, wrote: “Thanks for what you gave to my father [smileys]. Father would be so happy [smileys]. Godbless [smileys].”
Vhon Bautista wrote: “Nice one. Nice raincoat on manong.”
A woman by the name of Judy Aquino wrote: “If everyone helps out even by just giving small things to people who really need them, no one will end up poor. No one will be left behind.”
Wrote Rai Fernandez: “Thanks for your help. You’re so good. God bless.”
Have you or someone you know helped someone like Mang Lando? Share it with us by tweeting to @CoconutsManila.
