Let’s help Raymund!

RAYMUND Abara of West Riverside, Laoag City. A father and a champion in life.

Raymund Abara is a resident of West Riverside, Laoag City.

He is a polio victim. And from his childhood, he has suffered a lot due to his condition.

But despite his disability, he never gave up on life. With the help of his pedicab, he works hard selling different products, including cell cards.

He works from sunrise to late night, rest a little, then prepare again to pedal his pedicab around Laoag City to realize his means of survival.

But Raymund’s sacrifices are not only for his own subsistence—for above himself is his child.

He alone raises his 12-year old daughter. Every effort he makes is dedicated to the needs and education of his child who is now in grade six.

Thus, he keeps on shooing despair away for the sake of his daughter.

One day, while doing his daily business, he was held-up by two men. They took all his money, including his daily capital and sales. They left him nothing but his seizures and fright.

People expected him to breakdown after this. But they were wrong. With his little earnings, he continued with his business; pedalling, convincing customers to buy his products, fighting fatigue, braving weather conditions and going home to see his daughter’s smile.

Unfortunately, due to age, seizures and worsening of his polio-stricken leg, pedalling his pedicab becomes harder and harder each day.

Raymund fears that he would wake up one day and find out that his feet have totally failed him. This matter is cutting his heart deeply and gravely. He is a strong man, but he now cries. And the tears are for his child—what future awaits her?

Thus, he is asking for our help.

He wishes to have an electric bike with a light sidecar as his new “partner” in business. With this, he can save his almost depleted health, and continue fighting the pains of life. Not for himself, but for his daughter.

Well, an e-bike with sidecar is a bit expensive. But if we join hands, we can make Raymund’s wish a reality—and prove to a father and his child that love still exists.

***

BARD NOTES: Special thanks to INWD General Manager John Teodoro, INWD Board of Directors and all employees of Ilocos Norte Water District.

Happy bard-reading to Congresswoman Imelda R. Marcos, Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas, Vice Mayor Michael V. Farinas, Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta, Board Member James Paul “Goro” Nalupta, Mr. Efren Bartolome, Ms. Pia Salapongol, Dr. Chester Puño, Dr. Sme Juancho Estrella and Atty. Yvette Convento- Leynes.

Happy reading also to Provincial Treasurer Josephine Calajate, INEC Director JV Calajate, Ms. Cecil Nalupta and the employees of Philippine National Bank – Laoag Branch, AMA – Laoag Campus, DepEd – Laoag, Video City – Laoag, Runner’s High Specialty Shop, Land Bank of the Philippines and Ilocos Norte PNP.

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