Street vendor who walks from Pasay to Makati daily gets a free bike from shop owner

Faith in humanity, restored!

An elderly man who has been walking to Makati daily to sell candies on the street was gifted a free bike by a shop in Pasay City.

According to CARBS Motor/Bicycle Parts, Tatay Carlos has been passing by their store twice every day since May 15, asking if they have an available bike.

Last week, the shop finally had a mountain bike available, the 82-year-old man has been wondering if he could buy it for P2,000.

According to the post, they first declined. The bike originally costs P4,500.

But when the owner's mother, Fe Carandang, heard his story, she surprised Tatay Carlos when he visited one day.

"Ngayong umaga dumaan ulit siya para tanungin kung pwede po niya bilhin ung bike ng 2,000, ngayong araw na ito hindi po siya nabigo. Nakuha niya po 'yung bike na gusto nya sa KAPALIT isang NGITI po lamang," the shop said.

In the video, Fe and the elderly man could be seen talking. It seems as though she agreed on letting him have the bike.

The man then handed her a couple of thousand peso bills, only for her to return them. Confused, the man took back the money.

"Kunin mo na 'yan, regalo namin sa iyo," Fe said.

After weeks of hoping and enduring, Tatay's burden has finally been eased.

The video warmed netizens' hearts, garnering over 500,000 engagements and 6.2 million views on Facebook.

In March 17, Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Public transportation was subsequently banned, establishments temporarily shut down, and many Filipinos lost their jobs.

Starting June 1, restrictions started to ease as Metro Manila shifts to general community quarantine.

—JCB, GMA News