Birthday boy in viral post reveals mom spent last P300 for spaghetti while typhoon raged outside

Who would have thought that a 13-year-old’s selfie with spaghetti would take the internet by storm?

According to a “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” episode on Sunday, Delio, who lived in Cabucgayan, Biliran, shared that all he wanted for his birthday was to eat spaghetti and share it with his friends. On that day, however, their town was visited by Typhoon Bising.

Apart from the typhoon, his mother Rhea had only P300 at the time.

“Kahit malakas ang ulan, lumabas po ako para lang bumili ng pansahog ng spaghetti,” she said.

[Even if it was raining hard, I went out just to buy the ingredients for the spaghetti.]

To make the meal fit her budget, Rhea cut the pasta and used one pack of tomato sauce and a can of condensed milk. She also bought ¼ kilo of sliced hotdogs because she did not have enough money for ground pork.

“Masaya ako kahit may bagyo dahil nakapagluto ng spaghetti si mama at nabigyan ang kaibigan ko. Kuntento na ako sa spaghetti. Salamat, mama, masaya na ako sa spaghetti. Mama, I love you!” Delio said.

[Mom still made spaghetti for my birthday. I was able to share it with my friends. I’m really happy. Thank you, Mama. I love you!]

While the fact that his mom exerted so much effort for the dish made it special, there was another reason why spaghetti was important to Delio and his family.

Delio shared that this was the first time that they would be celebrating his birthday without his father, who died from a heart attack last April 2.

Delio said his mother used the recipe of his father, who used to cook spaghetti for him.

Rhea, a public school teacher, lamented how difficult her life became after her husband died.

“Sobrang hirap dahil wala akong katuwang kasi pagdating namin sa bahay, meron na kaming pagkain. Pagdating ko, kumpleto na, kakain na lang ako,” she said.

[It’s hard because I don’t have a partner. Before, whenever I'd go home, there would be food on the table. Everything’s complete, all I have to do is eat.]

She also said their debts accumulated further after his death.

The mother also took care of her daughter, Glydel, 28, who had cerebral palsy.

With all their expenses and debts, Rhea said preparing spaghetti for Delio’s birthday felt like a luxury.

Delio promised to make up for his mother’s sacrifices by studying hard.

Their fortune soon changed after Delio went viral, as they received help, including cash, food, and even a brand-new tablet from generous donors.

The local government unit of Cabucgayan in Biliran gave him a scholarship and a new bicycle, while the KMJS team offered additional financial assistance to his family.

A bakeshop also sent a birthday cake for Delio.

The teenager thanked those who helped them.

“Salamat sa ibinigay ninyo sa amin ni Mama. Ipambili namin ng kandila para kay Papa,” he said.

[Thank you for everything you gave us. We will use it to buy a candle for Papa.] – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News