A Tiktok video in which a college professor is seen babysitting his student’s five-month-old baby during an exam has become viral, and has touched the hearts of many netizens.

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Unknown to many, Andres Basa Sequito, the “babysitting” professor, is also facing a difficult challenge in his life: helping a loved one who is suffering from a chronic disease.

Surprising shot to fame

The video, which currently has 8.4 million views and 1.6 million likes, captured the hearts of many as it proved that the teachers’ duty does not end with imparting academic lessons to students but they also serve as a helping hand in times of need.

“When I distributed the test papers, I saw one of my students carrying her baby on her left arm and a ballpen on the right hand so I offered to carry and look after her child in the meantime as it was the best thing to do and so she could focus on answering the exam,” Sequito said in an interview with the Manila Bulletin.

The 43-year-old biology and professional education professor has been teaching at Samar State University in Catbalogan City for 10 years now.

He said that his student, Manilyn Barredo, brought her five-month-old baby girl to school during a pre-test last Sept. 23 because her husband was at work and no other person was available to look after her baby.

Sequito shared that Barredo was anxious and thought that she would get scolded for bringing her child to class, but his reassuring approach made her feel at ease.

"I asked for a wiping cloth and that was the one I hung on my shoulder, the good thing is that the baby did not cry while I was carrying her," he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Sequito also shared that he had also babysat another student's baby before but this is the first time that it was filmed and got viral online.

He had no idea that his other student was filming him as helping the mother of the baby finish the exam was his only concern.

After the Tiktok video garnered massive attention from netizens, Sequito said that he has been receiving kind messages from people praising him for his kind gesture.

But according to him, “you do not have to become viral on social media to be able to inspire people.” Simply being kind and being “someone's reason to smile” are more than enough.

Staying strong amid life's challenges

Despite the attention, Sequito shared that he has also been experiencing some challenges in his life.

“It doesn’t mean that because I’m a jolly person I have no problems in life. I've been hard-pressed here and there,” Sequito said.

His wife has been suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and “we've been financially drained for a couple of years, and mentally exhausted as well.” Despite life's setbacks, Sequito added that he always tries to show his wife that "God is bigger and that He will send people who will help us to suffice the medical expenses. And I am really amazed by how He works in many ways.” In a Facebook post, Sequito pleaded for assistance for his wife who is battling Stage 5 CKD secondary to hypertensive nephrosclerosis.

"I am knocking to your kind hearts right now with hopes to solicit any amount for us to afford her hospital bills and recurrent medications for her treatment," he said.

Sequito shared that slowly, he has been selling his possessions to afford medical expenses.

“My wife has battled this sickness for a long time already, but I've never seen her giving up nor finding any reasons to stop fighting. We are NEVER LOSING HOPE," he said.

"Whatever amount you will give is much appreciated. Your generosity means a lot to my wife and to my family," Sequito added.

A salute to a “unique guide and mentor” Meanwhile, Barredo described Sequito as a professor who looks “serious and terror” but is kind and jolly once you get to know him.

“At first glance, you will feel nervous and think that he is a serious and terror professor. But I was wrong with my impression; he is so kind, always willing to listen to our problems, and a joker,” she said in an interview.

We also learn a lot from him. I can’t say anything else aside from admiration and salute him,” she added.

Barredo also thanked Sequito on a Tiktok video and mentioned that she did not expect her baby to go viral online.

For this upcoming World Teacher’s Day on Oct. 5, Barredo shared a heartfelt message for her professor whom she dearly called her “master.” “Master thank you for being our unique guide and mentor, it is my great fortune that I found a good teacher like you. Happy teacher’s day po master. I hope you can handle the trials you are experiencing now. Just trust in our almighty God, you will get through this, God bless you always master,” she said