KM Viray
Netizen Diane Paraiso shared a heartwarming yet heartbreaking story on Facebook. This boy’s story will make you be grateful for family, school, and the food on your table.
Paraiso shares the story of 12-year-old Vincent, a beggar she saw in Mini Stop Vista Verde, Cainta, Rizal branch. She ignored him the first time he approached her to ask for alms for food. On the second time they met, he no longer approached her. Rather, Paraiso asked him if he had eaten and allowed him to eat to his heart’s content. This is where he shared his life.
Vincent, the eldest of four children, lived in Cainta with his father. Aside from his father’s occasional work as a carpenter, the family depended on him for their daily expenses. Due to lack of money, he is the only one among the four children who attends school. Vincent was proud to say that he belonged in Section 1 of his school (more known as the pilot class) and he dreamed of becoming a soldier one day. When asked if he had all his school things already, he answered yes, but still needed shoes. He explained he was barefoot because he used his slippers to go to class. Paraiso described him as “salat sa kayamanan pero mayaman naman sa pagmamahal at pangarap. Na kung iisipin, batang walang wala pero puno ng pasensya at pag intindi ang nangingibabaw sa kanya [Poor but loving and ambitious. He is a child with nothing but patience and understanding].”
Their conversation turned to Vincent’s faith. The child said he prayed often. When asked what he prayed for, with tears in eyes, he answered, “Na makita ko na po si Mama. [To see my mother again.]” Vincent was part of a broken home. His mother has left them when he was younger and is now living in Davao.
This is what spurred Paraiso to post Vincent’s story in social media. She encouraged netizens to share the story as it may reach Vincent’s mother.
“Nanay AVIS MACANDOG, eto na po si Vincent . Simple lang naman ang gusto niya, ang makita kayo…Hindi naman po materyal na bagay ang hinihingi niya mula sa inyo kundi kayo mismo at ang pagmamahal niyo.. Hwag din sana nating ipagkait ang magandang kinabukasan lalo na sa napakabuting bata na tulad ng anak niyo na si Vincent.. [Ms. Avis Macandog, this is your son Vincent. All he wants is to see you. He’s not asking for any material things, only your love. Let us not deprive such a good boy of the good future he could have.],” wrote Paraiso.
In a country predominantly composed of Catholic citizens, netizens gladly shared the post with a prayer for the young boy whose faith is unwavering. The post has already been shared more than 38,000 times. The power of social media can help make this boy’s simple dream come true: to see his mother. While most of us take for granted and fail to appreciate the things we have, children like Vincent can only dream of having even a quarter what what we have.
Be more thankful, be more grateful.
