Donations have poured in for a 12- year old boy who went viral on social media for looking after a dog outside a coffee shop in Taguig.
After taking good care of Mazey, the furry chow-chow of AJ Soriano, who was barred from entering the coffee shop, Rondel Sta. Ana received an outpouring of donations.
"Nung nag-viral 'yung post, sobrang daming nag-reach out para magbigay ng tulong nila. At hindi lang sa Pilipinas nag-viral 'yung post, dahil may mga tulong din na natanggap mula California and Singapore na nagbigay ng package at handang tumulong para pag-aralin si Rondel (When my post went viral, a lot of people reached out to give their help. The post went viral not just in the Philippines, because there were donations received from California and Singapore, people who gave packages and pledged to help Rondel with his studies)," Soriano told Manila Bulletin.
Several netizens sent money, which Soriano used to buy groceries for Rondel and his mom.
"Nung kwinento ko kay Rondel kung anong nangyari, sobrang natuwa siya, lalo na 'nung nag-grocery kami. Sumakay pa siya sa cart (When I told Rondel what happened, he was very happy especially when we went to the grocery store. He even rode the cart)," she added.
The manufacturer of the shirt Rondel was wearing in the viral photos also sent him new clothes and masks.
"Yung shirt ni Rondel na suot nya 'nung Saturday may nakasulat na 'Jesus.' His shirt was from the Ablaze community, and we asked Rondel saan niya nakuha 'yung shirt niya and sinabi niya na nakuha nya lang sa basurahan (Rondel's shirt that he wore last Saturday had 'Jesus' on it. His shirt was from the Ablaze community, and when we asked Rondel where he got it, he said he fished it out from the trash)," Soriano said.
Soriano said she and Mazey frequently visit Rondel at his house in Barangay Tuktukan, Taguig.
"Medyo mahirap lang talaga ang sitwasyon nila, lalo na 'yung bahay nila, kasi wala silang kuryente at 'yung bahay nila tumutulo kapag umuulan (Their situation is really difficult, they do not have electricity and their house leaks when it rains)," she added.
Soriano thanked those who donated and those who are still reaching out to her to help Rondel, adding that their help, no matter how small, changed the life of Rondel and his family.
"Hindi niyo po alam kung gaano kasaya si Rondel at ang pamilya niya. From a kid na laging namamalimos para may pambili ng pagkain, hindi na siya lumalabas ngayon (You have no idea how happy Rondel and his family are. From a kid who used to beg for food, he's now just staying home)," she said.