This 69-year-old man sells ice cream despite the enhanced community quarantine.
It has been more than two months since the government mandated the community quarantine. Many people lost their loved ones because of the covid19 virus. Many people can’t go home to their families because they are stranded elsewhere. Many people had lost their jobs, the only thing that provides them and their family’s needs. Many people, especially our doctors, nurses, policemen, and other frontliners are struggling because they can’t be with their loved ones.
Amidst the nation’s pandemic issue, there are still people trying their very best to work and survive. A 69-year-old ice cream vendor is still selling dirty ice cream in the streets. Benjamin Gonzalez or Tatay Ben said that he has no choice but to continue selling dirty ice cream even though Manila is under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
He also said that its the only way his family can have something on their table every day. Before selling ice cream, Tatay Ben was a construction worker. But because he can’t always report to work due to financial issues he was terminated and that why he started being an ice cream vendor.
He went to Manila thinking that he will have a better job there. a netizen posted on his Facebook account a picture of a very tired Tatay Ben. Juan Dela Cruz said on his Facebook post:
“Kaya maiisip mo na lang din kiung gaanong kainit at tirik ang araw na yan sa kanya. Di pa nga e pasan-pasan nya yung ice cream, malamang hindi na kinaya ng katawan nya kaya gumawa na sya ng may gulong para kahit papano ay dumali ang pagtitinda nya.”
Now Tatay Ben is asking for help to find his siblings, Carolina, Rogelio, and Armando.
” Ayaw pumasok ni Tatay Ben sa bahay ampunan. Ang kanyang munting kahilingan ay makita na lamang ang kanyang mga kapatid. Kung si Tatay Ben po ay pagpapalain sa tulong nyo po at mahanap natin ang kanyang mga kapatid, kami mismo ang maghahatid sa kanya papunta doon,” he added on his post.
Tatay Ben’s only wish is to find and go home to his siblings. I pray that he will get the help he needs.