From Phuket to Bangkok to Cebu: Foreigner and His Kids Begging Their Way Across Asia?

Just a few days ago, a Filipino netizen named Trix Sha posted a heartbreaking story about a foreigner she saw in front of Metro Gaisano Cebu in Cebu City. The man was busking [doing a street performance] and asking for donations from kindhearted people who happened to enjoy the music he was playing.

…but the man was not alone. Two kids, apparently his son and daughter, were right on his feet. At the time, Trix Sha saw the two arguing because they had ran out of paint; the kids had been quiet before that, just painting by themselves.

Though the netizen tried to speak with the foreigner, he appeared to be reserved and ignored her questions. So, Trix Sha posted the encounter on Facebook, in hopes that some people would know what to do to help this man and his kids.

Trix Sha:
A friend and I went to metro gaisano cebu to buy some kitchen stuffs nung nkta nmin tong foreign dad w/ his daughters outside the mall, naawa ako s mga bata..ang gaganda nila pro ang dudungis..nagaaway pa kasi naubosn cla ng paint..nagpapaint kc cla habang kumakanta tatay nila para mabigyan ng pera.. Tried talking to d guy pro prang ilap xa,kaya tinigilan ko nlang ng kktanong..nkakaawa lng na pti mga dayuhan d2 s pinas eh,naghihirap..Gave him a small amount of money for his kids,and when I went inside the grocery I saw his son arguing with the cashier kasi kulang yung pera nya pambili ng 3 dutchmill,,naawa nman ako,nagbigay nlang ako ng pera..halos maiyak yung bata…naramdaman ko yung hirap nila:-( Sana sa may mga nakakakilala dito s Embassy,sna matulungan sila..kasi d nman cla mabubuhay o mkkblik s lugar nila s konting tulong na naiaabot natn..Ang hirap lng kc mkita ibang tao s gnitong kalagayan lalo na yung mga bata,they were supposed to be playing in a safe place or studying by now,pro nasa kalye sila,exposed sa dumi at panganib. Di ko kayang balewalain lang to,kung mayaman lang ako tinulungan ko na sila,pero simpleng tao lang dn ako. I dont know their story coz the guy was hesitant to answer my questions,but I know they need help…I wish someone here can help them..

Begging in Phuket

However, this story might not be what is seems…because blog Busk.co shares a similar story; though this one happened in Phuket, Thailand last January.

The man was identified as Lukas Matena from Czech Republic. His son was not identified but his daughter, Rebeka, was named because Lukas said she was the reason they were busking. Apparently, Rebeka was hit by a car right along Chalong Temple; though the driver’s insurance paid some of the hospital bills, Lukas does not have enough money to pay for the rest as well as for their other needs while staying in Phuket.

Thai immigration police stepped in, telling Lukas that foreigners are not allowed to collect donations in Thailand.

Begging in Bangkok

The story went quiet for some time, then Lukas once again surfaced but it was in Bangkok this time.

He had a sign saying “no pictures”, apparently as he tried stay away from the authorities.

Begging in Cebu

We’re not sure what happened in Bangkok but it appears the family has found its way to the Philippines.

It is not known what exactly happened to the family and why they were begging their way across the cities in Asia.

Perhaps he is one of those backpackers who long for an adventure despite being low on funds yet it also makes him an irresponsible parent for taking along his young kids as he could not afford to give themselves a decent place to stay and only relies on the money he receives while busking in the streets. Moreover, as their experience in Thailand proves, begging in the streets is quite dangerous to the kids!

Why is this man begging and what are his plans now that he is in the Philippines? With our government not being very strict on panhandlers and overstaying foreigners, Lukas and his family just might have found a home in our country! I wonder whether that is good or bad…