A delivery rider in San Pedro, Laguna, recently went viral because of his photo with the baby while working.
In the photo by Jeremiel Flores Quinto, delivery rider Hershey Manuel can be seen carrying his son to pick up food to be delivered to his customer.
“Napansin ko po s’ya na dumating na naka-bike tapos may kasamang baby then nilapitan ko s’ya at tinanong wala ka ba mapag-iiwanan n’yang baby mo? Wala daw po. Nagwo-work din daw kasi asawa n’ya. Nung gabing ‘yun n’ya lang kasama baby n’ya. Nagkataon lang daw talaga na malapit lang pagde-deliveran n’ya kaya isinama na n’ya ang baby n’ya,” said Quinto.
“Siyempre para sa bata naaawa kasi nakakalanghap ng polusyon. Pero saludo ako kay rider kasi dakilang ama s’ya, napakaresponsableng ama,” he added.
The 18-year-old Manuel confirmed to ABS-CBN News that his wife and aunt are busy with work, so he brought his 5-month-old son Cris Ivan Jhei.
“Busy po mga tita ko tsaka ‘yung asawa ko po kaya kinarga ko po ‘yung anak ko. Eh nakaduty po ako nun sa [sa food delivery] kaya po biglang may pumasok na booking,” the delivery rider said.
Delivery rider in Laguna carries baby to work
“Sa kabilang kanto lang naman po ‘yung pagde-deliveran ko kaya po sinabi ko sama ko na lang po ‘yung anak ko kaysa po iyak nang iyak tsaka malikot na po kasi kaya po lagi nauuntog sa pinagkakahigaan n’ya. Pagkatapos ko naman po i-deliver ‘yung order po ng customer inuwi ko rin po agad ‘yung anak ko,” he added.
Before becoming a delivery rider, Manuel tried various jobs to provide for his family, such as a porter and food vendor.
He said he chose to be a delivery rider because he can synchronize the sale of food with such work.
Manuel has been at his job for a month while his wife sells street food and works as a maid with their only child.
Manuel is grateful for the financial help and groceries from those touched by his story. But, he said, may this be an inspiration to his fellow riders not to give up.
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