52-year-old viral taho vendor successfully retrieves YouTube channel after phone was stolen

A 52-year-old vendor who went viral last year after giving free taho has successfully retrieved his YouTube account after losing his phone as well as access to his account.

Tatay Gimmy a.k.a. Gimmy Panis Conos touched the hearts of Filipinos amid the pandemic after a netizen saw him giving out free taho and encouraged people to subscribe to his YouTube channel.

According to a press statement, his YouTube channel which he has been hoping to monetize to help with his daily and medical expenses gained more than 280,000 subscribers.

Tatay Gimmy lost his phone as well as his access to his old channel shortly after gaining more subscribers. It was accounting student Mary Amoguis, from General Santos City in South Cotabato, who helped Tatay Gimmy set up a new one, as she sought help to restore his original channel.

Tatay Gimmy has been a resident of Manila after relocating for better employment opportunities. He's originally from Tacoloban City, where his family stayed.

He then worked in construction for five years, and despite having diabetes and rheumatism, resorted to selling taho when age and illness caught up with him. 

Tatay Gimmy went back to the streets to sell taho in 2019 after he recovered from a mild stroke.

Long before he turned viral for offering free taho in exchange of a YouTube follow, the 52-year-old vendor has already been giving free taho to street children in his area.

“Napansin ko na madami talaga ang apektado sa pandemic at kung paano makatulong. Kailangan ko na din makauwi para hindi maabutan ng curfew kaya pinamigay ko ng libre ang taho,” he said.

(“I noticed that there were so many people affected by the pandemic and thought about how to help. I also needed to go home before the curfew so I decided to give my taho for free.”)

For those who wish to send financial assistance to Tatay Gimmy, you may contact Mary Amoguis. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News