Vlogger Arshie Larga earns praise for ₱500 fuel aid to drivers amid crisis: 'A simple act of kindness creates an endless ripple'
By Neil Ramos
At A Glance
- Vlogger-pharmacist Arshie Larga gains widespread praise after donating ₱500 fuel aid to over 1,100 tricycle drivers in Marinduque, proving charity is about heart—not fame.
In a time when rising fuel prices continue to burden ordinary Filipinos, a relatively low-key content creator is drawing widespread praise for a simple act of kindness.
Arshie Larga, a vlogger-pharmacist known for his educational health content, recently extended fuel assistance to tricycle drivers in Boac, Marinduque, an initiative that has since gone viral across social media.
Fuel aid for over 1,100 drivers
On April 5 to 6, Larga distributed ₱500 worth of fuel support to 1,169 tricycle drivers, totaling ₱584,500. The effort came amid the ongoing fuel crisis affecting the country, particularly the transportation sector.
“Lahat naman po tayo ay naapektuhan ng patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo… Pero ang isang sektor po na talagang naaapektuhan… ay ang transportation sector,” Larga said in a Facebook video.
To ensure fairness, he coordinated directly with local TODA (Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association) officers and partnered with gasoline stations in the area.
‘Hindi ako mayaman, pero…’
Despite the scale of his initiative, Larga was quick to downplay any perception of wealth or influence.
“Hindi ako politiko, at hindi rin ako mayaman, pero I’m blessed enough to share with the community sa abot ng aking makakaya,” he said.
He emphasized that his motivation was simply to give back, adding: “I expect nothing in return… sana kahit papaano ay nakatulong ito.”
Addressing doubts and criticism
While many netizens applauded his generosity, some questioned whether the act was a stepping stone toward a political career.
Larga firmly shut down the speculation.
“WALA AKONG BALAK HUMANGAD NG ANUMANG PUBLIC POSITION,” he stressed, reiterating that his actions were not tied to any political ambition.
“Kung gusto talaga nating tumulong… kahit wala tayong posisyon sa gobyerno, ay pwede naman po natin itong gawin.”
A ripple effect of kindness
Interestingly, Larga admitted he initially thought only around 300 drivers would benefit from his initiative. The number grew significantly after coordinating with TODA groups.
“To be honest, nagulat ako… ‘Bahala na si Lord. Laban na yan,’” he shared.
Despite the unexpected scale, he pushed through—an effort that resonated deeply online.
“A simple act of kindness creates an endless ripple,” Larga wrote in a later post.
More than just a viral moment
With millions of followers across platforms, Larga is no stranger to online attention. However, his latest initiative highlights a different kind of influence, one rooted not in clout, but compassion.
Long before this effort, he had already been known for providing free medicine to those in need through their family pharmacy and for debunking health myths online.
His story serves as a reminder: charity is not reserved for the rich or the famous. Sometimes, it begins with ordinary people choosing to act within their means and inspiring others to do the same.
As Larga himself put it, “Malay natin, may mga mas may kakayahan na ma-inspire at magbigay ng mas malaking halaga.”