An elderly couple has been eating junk food with rice amid quarantine

An elderly couple in Binangonan, Rizal has been eating junk food with their rice every day amid the enhanced community quarantine.

In a Facebook post, Shang Marquez shared the plight of the couple after noticing that the man, Tatay Ricardo, kept buying two pieces of "chichiryang bangus" for two pesos at her mother-in-law's sari-sari store.

Her family decided to give them some rice, canned goods, bread, coffee, and sugar to help them survive for a few days.

"Pag hawak ni tatay don sa binibigay namin halos nanginig siya at nanghina sa sobrang tuwa," Shang shared.

She recalled that Tatay Ricardo chanced upon the distribution of relief goods in front of the store one day, but everyone else already scrambled to get their share.

"Eh matanda na si tatay tas hirap na din mag lakad mabagal na! Hindi na siya nakigulo don kahit walang wala na siya," she said.

Shang appealed for more aid on behalf of the couple and tagged the local government of Binangonan.

Generous citizens immediately reached out to offer financial help for "Tatay Bangus," who have been collecting scraps to sell before the quarantine.

READ: Good Samaritan buys groceries for fellow shopper amid panic buying

Shang visited his home the following day to ask about the couple's needs and their current situation.

They confirmed that they had no money to buy food and had to make do with pairing the bangus-flavored chips with rice for their meals.

Shang later received donations of real fish for Tatay Ricardo and his wife.

"Totoong bangus na ang maluluto mo," she said.

She then accompanied the couple to the grocery store to help them buy food and other supplies. They also bought a stove, a tank of gas, pots and pans, water dispenser, thermos, and other kitchenware.

"Maraming marami pong salamat sa inyong mga nagbigay at tumulong," she said. "God bless po sa inyo. Sobra sobra po ang tuwa nila tatay at nanay." 

—MGP, GMA News