Struggling Lolo Sorbetero cries as he receives surprise donations amid pandemic

In Lubao, Pampanga, an elderly man continues to struggle in making a living by selling ice cream.

Amado Santos, 68, still roams the streets in hopes that he would earn enough for the day amid the threat of COVID-19.

One day, however, he came across a customer who only had a measly P3.00.

"Hindi na bale, hayaan mo na (Nevermind, don't mind it)," Amado could be heard saying in an episode of "On The Record."

He proceeded to hand over a serving of sherbet to the customer with a bright smile.

"Magkikita naman tayo sa susunod eh (We'll see each other again, anyway)," Amado also said.

The customer turned out to be Jhong Diaz, a police officer and vlogger. He had been conducting a social experiment, and Amado unwittingly became the subject.

Jhong made sure Amado's act of kindness was returned.

After the old man left, Jhong followed him on his motorcycle and told him about the social experiment.

The vlogger then proceeded to give him a bag of groceries .

"Sana makatulong po sa inyo lalo na po ngayon mahirap ang buhay (I hope this would help you especially now that life is difficult)," Jhong told him. "Mayroon pa palang katulad niyo na handang tumulong sa mga taong nangangailangan (There are still people like you who are ready to help others in need)."

Amado couldn't help his tears at Jhong's words.

In an interview with GMA Public Affairs, he recalled what he told the vlogger. "Sir, kako, napakalaking tulong sa pamilya ko ito. Hindi ko akalain na may tutulong sa akin ng ganito sa daan. Kaya nga napaluha ako sa saya (I said sir, this is a great help to my family. I never expected that there would be anyone who would help me out here in the streets. That's why I teared up in joy)."

A breadwinner, Amado shared that his family would go hungry if he didn't earn. That's why he braves the heat and the threat of the virus in hopes of making sales.

"Sabi ko sa mga barangay...wala akong magagawa. Kaya pasensya na kayo, hindi niyo ako mababawalan sa pagtinda (I told the barangay [officials] I can't do anything about that. So I'm sorry, you can't stop me from selling)," he said, turning emotional.

He used to be able to earn P500 a day, but since the pandemic started to affect the country, he could barely reach half.

"Napakahirap magtinda ngayon. Karamihan ng mga tao, walang trabaho. Ang mga bata, binabawalan lumabas (It's hard to earn these days. Most of the people have no jobs. The children are prohibited from going outside)," Amado said.

Ever since Jhong posted his video on his vlog, many netizens were moved to helping Amado.

He also shared a realization he had after encountering Amado.

"Hindi po tayo kailanman magiging mahirap kapag tayo ay magbukas palad at handang tumulong sa kapwa natin lalo na sa mga taong nangangailangan (We will never be poor so long as we are always ready to help our countrymen especially those who are in need)," he said. —JCB, GMA News