In 2019, a police officer from Pampanga met a kid along a street in San Fernando, Pampanga. To his surprise, he found a genuine friendship with the young boy.
“Nakita ko ‘yung bata pauwi ako samin, nakaupo dun sa may malapit sa simbahan tapos napansin ko ‘yung bata, nangangalakal. I decided to talk to him tas sinabi ko sa kanya kung kumain na siya then sabi po ng bata, ‘Hindi pa sir,’ dun sa pagsagot po ng bata, medyo na-amaze na ako kasi napaka polite and magalang po ng bata,” 39-year- old Police officer McJerrus Lansangan told The Philippine STAR.
“So ‘yung bata, tuwang-tuwa tapos sabi niya, ‘Sir, marami pong salamat.’ Marami na pong makikinabang nito, hindi lang po ako,” sabi niya,” said McJerrus.
According to McJerrus, Onyok’s attitude and politeness caught his attention so he continued to talk to him.
“Nung nagkekwentuhan kami ng bata, nabanggit niya sa ‘kin na malapit na ‘yung birthday niya. Out of nowhere nabanggit niya sa ‘kin ‘yun pero sabi ko, ‘Oh talaga, magbibirthday ka?’ so that was his 6th birthday.Sabi niya sa ‘kin, ‘Sir, nag-iipon ako ng panghanda ko,’” McJerrus recalled.
“Ang natanong ko naman sa kanya, ‘Ano bang gusto mo sa birthday mo, anong wish mo?’ Ta’s nabanggit niya po sa akin na gusto daw niya ng cake so nakapagbitaw po ako ng salita sa kanya na, ‘Sige Angelo, ibibili kita pero siguraduhin mo na sa December 5, magkikita tayo dito ah,’” he added.
McJerrus fulfilled his promise. On Onyok’s special day, he gave him food and a cake to celebrate his 6th birthday.
“That was the first genuine smile na nakita ko sa kanya dahil sobrang saya niya dahil napagbigyan ko ‘yung hiling niya, siguro ‘yung bata, nung mga past birthday niya baka hindi man po nakatikim na magkaroon ng cake sa birthday niya,” he said.
McJerrus decided that he would meet Onyok every year to celebrate his special day. Their relationship flourished and McJerrus became Onyok’s constant in his life.
“Naging part na ng routine ko or panata ko na every year, ‘yung December 5, ‘yung batang ‘yun is kailangan kong bilhan ng cake. at ganun na din po ‘yung bata na every year parang nag-expect na siya from me na every year hinahanap niya ako,” he noted.
“I started to take pictures na magkasama kami nung bata. tapos siguro sa mga daily uploads ko, Nakikita nung mga kakilala ko. “Sino ‘yung batang ‘yun?” so parang naaano sila, nagtaka kung sino ‘yung lagi kong kasamang bata,” he shared.
McJerrus’ friends then offered to help Onyok in any way they can. During the pandemic, McJerrus was able to provide for Onyok and his family.
“One-time nabiro ko pa siya na sabi ko, ‘Ampunin na lang kita,’ Sabi ng bata, ‘Sir, ayoko po.’ ‘Bakit?’ sabi kong ganyan. Tas sagot po ng bata, ‘Sir, wala po kasing mag-aalaga sa mga kapatid ko kaya hindi ko po pwedeng iwan sila,’” McJerrus said.
With his unique experience and unexpected friendship with Onyok, McJerrus hopes that their story would inspire other people to help those in need.
“Be a blessing to others, hindi naman kailangan maging mayaman para tumulong kahit sa maliit na paraan,” he said.
