It was a frantic day that Saturday with the sale at SM North EDSA and all. I just went there to pick up some stuffs that I reserved for the PHR Sale and I had to run to UMAK right away for the 2pm football kick-off. Me and my friend Iyah was even arguing which path to take on our way to the MRT. I insisted we take the covered pathwalk which is at the middle of EDSA.
We passed by an old woman who was holding a piece of carton “Konting tulong para sa pampagamot ng mata ko.” I really have a soft spot for elderly. I decided to give her P20.00 and had to run because we are already late. But I don’t have the heart to leave her just like that so I decided to come back and gave her P100.00 more.
“Salamat! Salamat! Makakabili na ako ng gamot ko bukas,” she told me with a wide smile.
“Lola, saan po kayo nakatira?” I asked her.
“Taga-Fairview ako.”
“At araw-araw po kayong nandito at humihingi ng tulong? Nasaan po pamilya ninyo?”
Umiling siya. “Wala na akong pamilya. Mag-isa lang ako.”
“Ano pong pangalan ninyo, Lola?”
“Juanita Caraga.”
I had to leave soon so I decided to take her picture and posted it online, hoping that someone with means will help her out. I believe that we should take care of our elderly. Matatanda na sila. So if you happen to pass by the pathwalk at SM North EDSA-MRT-North EDSA and see her, I hope you will also give her a hand. But I would feel better if someone will really take her out of the streets and take her somewhere where she could enjoy her old age.
-Jernalie Dumapay
