Father living in a makeshift cart collects scraps to provide for his son

A photographer was left inspired by the perseverance of a homeless father who is living with his four-year-old son in a makeshift cart along the Pasig River.

In a Facebook post, Nonie Reyes shared the story of street dwellers Rodel and Ruben Mojica, along with a picture of their small shelter in Makati City.

He said the two survive every day by collecting scraps and selling them to junk shops.

"Kahit gaano kahirap ang buhay, basta kasama ko ang anak ko dito sa bahay namin masaya na ako," Rodel said.

The father was content with their small shelter, saying it was enough to protect them from the elements.

"Kahit may gulong ang bahay namin okay na rin ito kasi minsan pinapaalis kami dito sa pwesto namin," he said. "Kasi itutulak ko lang ayos na, pwede na kaming lumipat ng lugar ng anak ko."

"Nilagyan ko na nga ng bubong ito, kasi tag-ulan na. Hindi na kami mababasa pag umulan," he added.

According to Jun Veneracion's report for "24 Oras," Rodel lost his wife to tuberculosis last year. Since then, Ruben has always clung to his father and cries whenever he has to leave collect scraps.

The father has to wait for his son to sleep before he could start working to provide for them both.

He finds toys and clothes for Ruben from the stuff that other people have thrown away. But sometimes, there are things that he cannot give to his son.

Ruben likes pizza, but when a vendor passed them by, Rodel felt helpless that he could not buy the food for his child.

Still, the father said he will do everything he can to raise his son.

"Hindi ko iiwanan 'to kahit anong mangyari. Kahit makulit 'to mahal na mahal ko 'to e. Ito na lang ang naiwan sa akin ng asawa ko e," he said. —MGP, GMA News