Worries about his family’s hard earned savings so that he could continue studying

With online distance learning in place for most students, 20-year-old Arthur Ramos Baylon had his fair share of technical problems, including having to make do with his mobile phone. His family is based in Guimaras, Iloilo, where his parents Hernando and Diosa earn a living by fishing. Finally, he was able to buy his very first laptop with the money his father and sister, an overseas Filipino worker, were able to save up, just in time for this school year.

Arthur tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle that he ordered the laptop via an online shopping app last Sept. 9. But when the package arrived on Sept. 25, as he opened the box, out came three rocks.

“Sa paghawak ko po nito, hindi po talaga ako nagduda kasi mabigat naman sya at hindi ko rin inisip na alugin kasi alam ko na laptop yun baka masira (I didn’t doubt that there was something else inside because it was heavy. I didn’t think of shaking the box since the laptop inside might get broken),” he said. “Nagblangko talaga yung isip ko. Alam mo yung parang wala kang maisip at hindi mo alam ang iyong gagawin at inisip ko talaga yung paghihirap ng magulang ko upang maibigay ang pangangailangan ko po (My mind went blank. I didn't know what to think or do. And I considered all my parents' sacrifices.”

Nevertheless, Arthur remains grateful to his family, most especially his cousin Jennylyn Pulmones who helped him take necessary actions like filing a police blotter. Jennylyn was also the one who shared the viral video of what happened. The package appeared to have been opened, the laptop replaced with rocks.

Arthur also sent messages to the overseas seller. Fortunately, he was able to get a refund two days after reporting the incident. Since he couldn’t withdraw the refund worth P22,499 and only use it to make a new purchase from the same seller, he reordered the same item. It is expected to arrive between Oct. 16 and Nov. 6.