Woman who used earnings to buy grandson a phone for online classes gets aid

A 63-year old woman who spent the money she made selling vegetables to buy her grandson a smartphone for his online classes has received donations from numerous netizens.

According to Dano Tingcungco’s report on “24 Oras” Tuesday, Emma Abucay-Monta and her 12-year old grandson Kevin received so much help after John Mico Tan, a delivery service driver, posted their story online and it went viral.

Mico shared that he was just in the mall waiting for his customer’s order when he spotted the grandmother and her grandson checking out the new phone they just bought.

“Napangiti ako sa bata tsaka kay nanay na tuwang-tuwa parang bang nagkaroon ng bagong laruan. Napakita naman ni nanay kung paano niya kamahal ’yung apo niya para bilhan noon,” Mico said.

Lola Emma, who lived in a small hut in Muntinlupa City with her family, said Kevin had always dreamt of having his own smartphone.

Emma works hard for her daughter and grandchildren. From cutting gabi leaves, she earns around P200 to 300 a day. This amount goes to the family’s food expenses.

However, on some days, she doesn’t earn anything at all.

“Mahirap na. Pagkain muna unahin natin,” Lola Emma said. “Bibigay ni Lord ang pangarap niya. Makakabili ka pagdating ng panahon.”

After some time, Lola Emma, her daughter, and Kevin were eventually able to save enough to buy a smartphone worth P2,500.

Lola Emma is happy for Kevin, now that he has a phone that he can use as schools shift to online learning amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“May magagamit siya lalo na ngayon enrollment na kalat sa balita na sa paraan ng ano, makausap ang teacher,” Lola Emma said.

After Mico posted their story online, thousands of netizens started reaching out to help out the family, not only by giving out food, but also by paying for Kevin’s internet expenses.

A team from the Bureau of Corrections even visited Lola Emma to give relief goods.

“Milyong-milyo ang pasasalamat. Walang paglalagyan ang pasasalamat ko,” Lola Emma shared. “Lahat-lahat ng taong may pusong mapagmahal, masaya akong nakaharap ko kayo.” – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News