Viral street vendor cries after receiving free bike: 'Nawala ang pagod ko'

The street vendor who received a bicycle could not help but become emotional after getting help from strangers in his time of need.

Carlo Samonte, 82, initially wanted to buy a bike at a shop using part of the P5,000 financial assistance he received from a local government unit.

He got it free of charge after his story reached Fe Carandang, the owner's mother. She surprised him not just with a bike but also with helmet and food.

"Tuwang-tuwa ako. Malaking pasasalamat ko sa kanya. Nawala ang pagod ko," said Samonte, who walks from Pasay to Makati every day to sell candies.

Q: Tay, paano po kayo noong bago kayo magka-bike? Samonte: Naglalakad lang. Minsan, inaabutan ng curfew pauwi. Q: Paano po pag umuulan? Samonte: Sumisilong lang. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/iYqM9B8C8c

— Tina PanganibanPerez (@tinapperez) June 4, 2020

READ: Street vendor who walks from Pasay to Makati daily gets a free bike from shop owner

Samonte also received assistance from netizens after his story went viral on social media.

"Napaiyak ako nang lumuha. Malaking bagay 'yung nagagawa nila. Nagpapasalamat ako," he said.

Samonte’s daughter Roselyn said she fears for her father's safety on the streets.

"Minsan, sinusundo namin pag matagal siyang umuwi. Minsan, pinagtitripan siya roon. Ninanakawan siya ng mga masasama," she said.

Roselyn and her siblings want their father to just stay at home but Samonte insists on working.

"Ako lang mapilit. Kasi sa bahay ka, kung anu-ano naiisip mo. Nalulungkot ako," he said.

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

Asked how long he intends to continue selling candies, Samonte replied, "Hanggang kaya ko. Kung talagang kukunin ka sa itaas, okay lang. Napasadahan ko na 'yung lahat ng gusto ko."

Meanwhile, Carandang said she never intended for their story to go viral.

"Naiiyak na rin ho ako kasi sa mga comment nila na kahit sa kaunting halaga ay nag-viral ho ito na hindi ho namin akalain," she said.

Carandang has a simple message to those who were inspired by her act of kindness.

"Sana ho kung meron tayong maitulong sa kapwa, kahit na ho sa maliit na bagay, huwag na ho tayo mag-hesitate na tumulong sa kapwa," she said. —MGP, GMA News