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Bikers pitch in for 'sapatero's' brand new bike

Philippines

Bikers pitch in for 'sapatero's' brand new bike

By Gabriela Baron

A bikers' community pitched in for a sapatero's (shoe repairman) brand new bike after one of its members spotted him with a makeshift bike made of scrap metal.

(Photo courtesy of Arthur Reblando)

"Napadaan sa kanila , tapos pinicturan nya. Tapos naisip ko na bigyan sya ng maayos na bike. Humingi ako ng tulong sa mga members namin para makapag-ambagan (Our fellow member saw the shoe repairman and took a picture, then I thought of giving him a good bike. I asked for our members' help to pitch in)," Arthur Reblando of bikers' group Bakal Bikes told the Manila Bulletin.

"Nakita ni Gian sa bahay nya na marami pala syang ginagawang bakal bikes, namumulot sya ng mga bakal tapos pinapawelding nya pag may konting kita. Lahat ng bakal bikes nya ay sariling design nya. Ginagawa nya raw yun para malibang at makarelax sya sa problema at stress (Gian saw him in his house making a lot of steel bikes and have them welded when he has extra money. All his steel bikes are his own designs. He said he makes them to entertain himself and to destress from all problems)," he added.

Makeshift bike made from scrap metal (Photo courtesy of Arthur Reblando)

Reblando added that the group also gave him a helmet, extra tires, a reflective suit, and materials that he can use to repair shoes.

The repairman from Tanay, Rizal used to sculpt woodworks that are displayed in houses and hotels, but when his income decreased, he started to repair shoes.

"Sya ay nakatira sa maliit na bahay sa gitna ng palayan na pag maulan ay tumataas ang tubig. Patuloy pa rin daw syang magtatahi at mag-iikot (He lives in a small house in a middle of a farm, when it rains the water there rises. He said that he will still go around and continue repairing shoes)," Reblando said.

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