An overseas Filipino in Dubai, UAE bought a brand new pair of shoes for an Indian worker when he spotted him wearing a worn-out pair at Al Jafiliya Metro Station.
The photo of OFW Mark Ronald Melecio with Indian Rajkumar Kerthi resurfaced on the Internet. The Filipino, however, clarified that this happened four years ago (2014) when he met Kerthi at the Metro station on his way to the Dubai Mall, and learned about his life as an expat in the UAE.
Melecio told The Filipino Times in an online interview that he saw the Indian man being mocked by other people passing by. This emotional encounter led the OFW to approach him.
“Noong nakita ko kasi sya sa loob ng Metro talagang naaawa ako sa kanya, lalo na yung parang pinagtatawanan sya na wala naman syang magawa,” the Filipino said.
He learned that Kerthi was only earning Dh1,200 a month as loader in a company, of which Dh450 goes to flat rent, Dh250 for food, and the remaining amount is sent to his family in India to help them settle their debt.
“Sa Dh500 na natira ipapadala pa nya ito sa India para makatulong sa pamilya lalo na may binabayaran sila na loan worth Dh70,000 (Php998,500 approximately). Kaya naman kahit gustuhin nyang bumili ng bagong sapatos ay di nya magawa,” Melecio said.
He was told that this debt was also the reason why Kerthi’s father committed suicide in December 2013. This struck a string in Melecio’s heart.
After getting to know the Indian man’s story, the OFW decided to extend a little help to Kerthi and bought him a pair of new shoes.
“Ayaw ko po makakita ng mga ganon kaya hindi na po ako nagdalawang isip na hintayin sya kung saan sya bababa, kahit na po hindi sya Filipino eh gusto ko po syang tulungan,” the OFW said.
“Sobrang saya ko dahil nung naghiwalay na kami nakita ko sa mga mata nya kung gaano sya kasaya at di ko tuloy mapigilan na mapaluha,” the OFW said.
Melecio said helping others does not have to come at a hefty price and he believes that good things happen to those who do good deeds.
“Wag po tayong mahiya o mag dalawang isip na tumulong sa kapwa po natin, maging Pinoy man ito or ibang lahi, dahil naniniwala din po ako na mayroon din po itong magandang balik sa atin. Di naman po natin kailangan gumastos ng malaki para po makatulong sa kapwa natin, kawanggawa lang po sa kapwa ay sapat na,” he added.
That was their first and last encounter since he already returned to Cebu to start his life anew. He currently works as freelance account executive there, while his wife and 15-year-old daughter are in Dubai.
The OFW wishes to see the stranger-turned-friend when he returns to Dubai to visit his family. He said: “My friend, it’s been four years now since we last met. I never had a chance to meet you again after that. But thank you for your trust in sharing the story of your life to me. I know that the pair of shoes I bought had worn out, but I hope that it would always remind you that you have a friend in me and in every Filipino in Dubai.”
“My friend, it’s been four years now since we last met. I never had a chance to meet you again after that. But thank you for your trust in sharing the story of your life to me. I know that the pair of shoes I bought had worn out, but I hope that it would always remind you that you have a friend in me and in every Filipino in Dubai.”
