For our Tatay Isda

I, Rovelyn Lapriza, made this campaign because I was once again reminded about Tatay Isda. Upon checking my memories on Facebook last July 13, 2020, I suddenly saw my shared post from 2 years ago. It was about Tatay Isda. I can't help myself but to cry since I was also wondering about his situation right now, considering that we're in the middle of a pandemic; where can he get money to support his self?

Tatay Isda is one of the vendors infront of our school when I was still in grade school, at Holy Spirit Elementary School. He's famous among children that time because he always used to be around my neighborhood with his chicks and gold fish. My friends and I contacted some people who might know or might be connected to Tatay Isda and we found ate Jenny Grace. According to her, ate Jenny Grace, the one who's been taking care of and the neighbor of Tatay, he rarely talks about his personal life and doesn't want to talk about it whenever they will ask him that resulted them to name Tatay Isda as Haime Tuleng or most commonly known as Tatay Pugak. They also don't know his exact age but they are sure that Tatay Pugak isn't a senior yet.

Tatay Pugak has been selling chicks and gold fish for more than 20 years. It was said that he roams around Kalayaan B, Fairview, Commonwealth, Don Antonio, Holy Spirit, Sauyo, Republic, BF, Luzon and Riverside. He's living alone and he doesn't have his own house. He used to sleep in a monoblock chair in front of a small sari-sari store at Kalayaan B, alone. Whenever Tatay Pugak will go home after selling his goods, ate Jenny Grace will then prepare Tatay Pugok's monoblock chair so that he can rest eventually. Fortunately, Tatay Pugok has been staying in a house for rent temporarily infront of ate Jenny Grace's house since the house doesn't have a tenant as of now, July 2020. As for his clothes, he can only have a new one if someone will give him their preloved clothes.

She also said that last month, June 2020, Tatay Pugak insisted to sell his fish again for an extra income. While he was walking at the overpass, he accidentally slithered down that caused him to sprained his ankle. It resulted him to experience difficulties in walking, yet he doesn't want to get hospitalized or atleast consult a doctor.

To think that I was only around 6 years old when I saw Tatay Isda for the first time around my neighborhood selling his fish, I realized that he's one of the reason why my childhood became fun and memorable. I'm also a hundred percent sure that I'm not the only one who thinks the same because I was not the only kid who used to buy his fish back then.

Isn't it unfair that a person can make someone' s kid (a total stranger) happy but his own life isn't that stable?

I, Rovelyn Lapriza, together with; Jhecel Setarios, Shaira Dagapioso and Marebelle Yamugan was once that kid. We may not be rich to provide Tatay Pugok's necessities but atleast through this campaign, we'll be able to help him and others will be able to help him by their donations. Tatay Pugok shouldn't be forgotten.

FOR ANY DONATION (GCASH), PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING ON FACEBOOK:

Rovelyn Lapriza

Jhecel Setarios

Shaira Dagapioso

Marebelle Yamugan