Through his talent, this musician from Palawan was able to help a senior citizen performer earn money in Baguio City on November 22, 2022.
24-year-old Armando Cortez Jr. visited the summer capital during a work trip last year. While enjoying the area, Armando saw the performer at the night market.
“Napahiwalay ako sa group namin. Then nakita ko si tatay tumutugtog siya and parang walang pumapansin siya. Ako naman bilang artist alam ko ‘yung feeling na walang pumapansin sa tugtog mo and nakita ko ‘yung dedication niya, matanda na siya para gawin yung bagay na iyon tapos ganung dis-oras ng gabi,” Armando told The Philippine STAR.
“Nag-enjoy ako panoorin siya. Tumambay ako roon hanggang sa makatapos siya ng two songs. Kaya lang ‘yung last song na kinanta niya before ako sumingit is ‘yung “MAPA” ng SB19. Para kasing ang sarcastic na “Papa, pahinga muna ako, ako na bahala” pero siya yung papa, siya yung tumutugtog doon. That hit me different,” he added.
Armando then decided to help the old man by getting the attention of the people.
“Lumapit ako sa kanya, nag-abot din ako ng maliit na halaga. Sabi ko pahiram ako ng gitara nya para, wala lang, gusto ko lang maki-jam ako. Pero ang intensyon ko talaga is gusto kong agawin ‘yung attention ng mga tao para pansinin ‘yung performance ni Tatay. I grabbed his guitar, pumayag naman siya,” he recalled.
“Gusto ko lang tulungan si Tatay. Matanda na si Tatay, pero baka ito lang ang kaya niyang gawin, so tulungan natin sa paraan na kaya natin,” Armando can be heard saying in the video before playing a song.
During lolo’s performance, only five individuals watched him. When Armando sang “Ang Huling El Bimbo” by Eraserheads, he was able to grab the attention of the shoppers.
“The crowd sings with me. Masaya naman ako na ‘yung crowd that time, very responsive. Masaya na nakakaproud na napuno ‘yung balde ni Tatay. Kumbaga iyon ‘yung intensyon ko eh, wala kasi akong pambigay sa kaniya, pero I have the talent to call for the people na mabuhay yung heart nila na tumulong,” he recalled.
Apparently, he previously performed on the street to help the victims of Typhoon Odette in his province, which is why he’s eager to help the old man.
Armando said that his heart was full after he was able to help the old man. He aims to encourage people to be kind every day.
“Hindi naman nila kailangan na magperform din katulad ng ginawa ko pero at least mag-abot man lang sa abot ng makakaya nila. Kahit magkano, hindi naman kailangang malaki. Basta galing sa puso,” he stressed.
