Desperate father begs for cash to buy medicine for sick daughter

With many scammers preying on vulnerable people these days, some could not help but be wary whenever they are approached by strangers asking for help.

Even so, a lot of people pleading for aid are genuinely in need, just like the man encountered by vlogger Mark Jay Jimenez in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The man, Jepoy, said his six-year-old daughter is in urgent need of a nebulizer and other medicine to treat her pneumonia.

"Siyempre ang una mong iisipin parang hold-upper. Napansin ko siya biglang napaupo tapos iyak nang iyak," MJ said in an episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho."

("I thought he was a hold-upper at first. Until I noticed he sat down and sobbed so hard.")

The vlogger gave P500 at first, but after hearing more of Jepoy's story, he gave P2000 so the man can buy his daughter's needs. He then uploaded a video of their encounter on social media, where it has since gone viral.

"Sir, tatanawin ko hong utang na loob 'to. Promise po," Jepoy told him.

("I'll forever be indebted to you.")

While MJ and many others were moved by Jepoy's story, some people who saw the video were more skeptical. Some said the story was not true, that Jepoy was gambling in billiards and that he was a scammer.

The KMJS team tracked down Jepoy in a billiards place at Barangay Dela Paz Norte in San Fernando. It turned out that he was working there as a spotter and ball boy. He also does construction work on the side to provide for his family.

Jepoy's wife, Anne, looks after their children. They live with his lolo and lola, who raised Jepoy since he was young. Life is hard – they don't have electricity and water connection after being unable to pay the bills.

That worsened the condition of his eldest daughter, Rukia, who has a hard time breathing and eating. She recently suffered an attack that shook the couple.

"Nakikita ko po talaga 'yung anak ko nu'n, 'yung mga kamay niya nangingitim po e. Tapos 'yung paghinga niya po pasaldak na po 'yung ganun," Jepoy said.

("I saw my daughter, her hands were turning black. Her breathing was ragged.")

The couple managed to raise P2,500 by pawning a cellphone so they can take Rukia to the hospital. With all the laboratory tests and other expenses, however, they did not have anything left to buy her medicine.

"Kapag pinanganak kang mahirap 'pag nagkasakit ka, wala po talagang mapagkukuhanan ng pera. 'Di po kamukha nu'ng ano e mayayaman kahit magkasakit po 'yan kukuha pa po 'yan ng private doctor para lang po hindi madala sa ospital," Jepoy said.

("When you are born poor and you get sick, there's nowhere you can get cash. Unlike the rich, when they get sick they will hire private doctors so they don't have to go to the hospital.")

The desperate father swallowed his pride and went on the streets to beg for help from strangers. The first three people he approached ignored him, until he finally encountered MJ.

His wife only found out what he had done after the video has gone viral online.

"'Mama, naka-post si Papa.' Hindi pa ako naniniwala e. Nabigla lang po ako at hindi ko po alam na gagawin niya 'yun dahil sa anak ko," she said.

("'Mama, Papa was posted online.' I couldn't believe it. I was shocked; I didn't know he was going to do it for our child.”)

Other commenters, however, still had more to say. Begging is illegal under the Anti-Mendicancy Law, and in San Fernando, offenders are penalized with community service and fines.

"Buong puso pong pakikiusap sa mga tao 'yun kasi biglaan po 'yung pangyayari e. Mas pangit naman po siguro kung ganun po sitwasyon ng anak ko tapos magnanakaw po ako," Jepoy said.

("It was an earnest plea for help because it was an emergency. It's worse if I resorted to stealing.")

Jepoy was also said to be stealing harvest from another person's land and selling them in the barangay. He denied the allegations.

"Hindi po ako magnanakaw," he said. "Mga kinukuha ko po dito halaman, prutas po, 'yun ang binebenta ko. Tulad po ng kamoteng kahoy saka mangga. Wala pong may-ari dito. Katulad po ng mga mangga na to. Pag namumunga po 'yan kahit sino pwedeng kumuha."

("I'm not a thief. I gather fruits and sell them, like cassava and mangoes. No one owns them. This mango tree, anyone can get the fruits.")

With all the comments, MJ checked up on Jepoy himself to confirm his situation. What he saw made him feel more for the man and his family.

Someone donated a nebulizer to Jepoy, but Rukia cannot use it because of the lack of electricity. MJ offered to pay for their bills and also bought him a tricycle using the money donated by those who watched his video.

KMJS also gave some financial assistance.

Anne expressed her gratitude to everyone who helped their family in their time of need.

"Kung hindi sa kanila baka po lumala na po 'yung sakit ng anak ko kaya maraming salamat po sa lahat ng tumulong," she said.

("If not for them, my child's illness could have gotten worse so thank you so much to everyone who helped.")

Jepoy, for his part, called on others to suspend their judgment on their fellowmen.

"Huwag po silang manghuhusga ng kapwa tao nila. Mahal na mahal ko po 'yung anak ko po. Handa ko pong gawin lahat para lang sa kanila po," he said.

("Don't judge your fellowmen. I love my child very much. I am ready to do anything for my children.")

For those who wish to help, you may send your donations to:

SECURITY BANK - SINDALAN SAN FERNANDO BRANCH
ACCOUNT NAME: PATRICIA ANNE P. GALANG
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0000052259671

—MGP, GMA News