MANILA: The homeless Filipino who made headlines in Canada after building a temporary shack made of wooden pallets at a parking lot in Winnipeg is finally home.
Allan Par, 41, was able to fly to the Philippines in the second week of August through the help of an anonymous donor who sponsored his plane ticket.
Par lived in Winnipeg for nine years. But during the past five years of his stay there, he ended up homeless after being regularly laid off and his relationship with his sponsors turned sour.
He spent months at the airport in Winnipeg before building his temporary home. During the last cold weather spell in Canada, only five candles and his faith kept him warm.
Aside from the free plane ticket, Par also received financial help raised from GoFund set up in July by Dante Aviso and Dennis Castaneda, Filipinos in Canada.
Help also poured in from the Winnipeggers, Filipinos and Canadians alike who were moved by his story. They brought him clothes and food as he awaited his travel documents. Some individuals also offered him job but Par decided to come home.
He is now with her sister in Alfonso, Cavite.
His story caught the attention of news organizations in Canada after CBN News first reported his story.
“I expected I have a better job [here in Canada], I have a better work, I have a better life.. But it’s the reverse,” CBS News quoted Par as saying in an interview last July.
The irony of it was that Par used to work as part of a social workers organization in Manila, teaching individuals below the poverty line some basic computer programs. With their help, many of them landed decent jobs overseas.
Even the co-owner of the one of several businesses above the parking lot bridge where Par built his temporary home had a change of heart when he learned about his story.
Neil Migalski, co-owner of the Vapour Mill Outlet, said, “I would almost like to see it gone because it’s sort of an eyesore, but now it’s become an attraction and I would feel really bad if the guy lost his home.”
His case was also turned over to Winnipeg’s city administration. Instead of tearing down his temporary camp, they decided to let Par stay in it for a while until he was able to finally fly home. (MN)
