Netizens praised a student after paying tribute to his father who works as a delivery rider.
On social media, 23-year-old Juan Carlos Gonzales Soriano posted an appreciation post for his father. According to him, Daddy Bayani had no idea about his surprise.
“Meron po kaming graduation tradition sa academy. We call it ‘last mess.’ Magsusuot kami ng something unique, something different aside from our uniform. One-time po dumating po si Daddy na pagod na pagod, naka-uniform. Na-inspire po ako. Gusto kong i-tribute kay Daddy ‘yung graduation ko because all throughout my journey as a cadet, nandun po si Daddy,” Juan told The Philippine STAR.
“Gusto ko pong ma-surprise siya. Hinahanap po ni Daddy ‘yung uniform kasi dalawa lang po ‘yun. Sabi po ni Mommy nawawala po ‘yung uniform, kakuntsaba ko po nun si Mommy,” he added.
Juan was loud and proud while wearing Daddy Bayani’s uniform at the graduation event.
“Malaki po ‘yung sacrifice niya sa amin kasi he is a driver for 30 years po. Never ko pong narinig kay daddy na pagod na siya kaya naisip ko pong si daddy po talaga ‘yung maging source of inspiration ko,” he shared.
Daddy Bayani used to be an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in the middle east, where he worked as a driver for 10 years. He is the only provider in the family as Juan’s mom focuses on taking care of his two other siblings.
Juan’s father also became emotional after seeing the photos and his son’s message on social media.
“Kinwento lang po ni Mommy na medyo naiyak nga po si Daddy kasi nakita niya po ‘yung post ko,” he recalled.
“Tuwang-tuwa ako tsaka syempre proud na proud kasi ginamit ng anak ko ‘yung ginagamit ko para ipakita niya na proud din siya sa akin bilang Grab rider. Hindi niya kinahihiya na isa siyang [anak ng Grab driver],” Daddy Bayani said.
Juan graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific on May 26, 2023.
He also received an exemplary award during the graduation ceremony.
“Masayang-masaya kaming mag-asawa kasi sa hirap namin magsimula nang pagpapalaki sa kanila. Naisip namin na, “Nakaya pala natin ‘yung ganun,” Daddy Bayani stressed.
Daddy Bayani works 12 hours every day to earn P800 for his family.
Daddy Bayani said that he is working hard to provide proper education to his children since he failed to finish his studies due to poverty.
“Hindi kasi pwedeng tumigil kasi ako lang ‘yung naghahanap buhay sa amin. ‘Pag tumigil ka kasi, kukulangin na eh. Kahit na nakakaramdam ako ng sakit ng katawan, lagi ko nang tinitingnan ‘yung future nila. Iniisip ko lagi na para sa mga anak ko gaya ko ginagawa ito,” Daddy Bayani said.
“This is just a part of our milestone. Hindi ko po ito achievement, achievement po ng Tatay ko gawa ng pagmamaneho niya, nakapagtapos po ako ng pag-aaral,” Juan said.
Juan hopes to inspire other people to value the hard work and dedication of delivery riders, who make our life easier by delivering one’s cravings at their doorstep.
“I want to open the minds of the netizens na hindi lang po sila basta-basta sa kalsada. Beyond that uniform, may mas magigiting pa po silang ginagawa. Living proof po si Daddy na sa paghihirap niya pong ‘yun, may sinusuportahan siyang pamilya, anak na nagsusumikap sa pag-aaral,” he stressed.
“Hindi po sila driver lang kasi may mga binubuo po silang pangarap. Kalong-kalong nila sa pagmamaneho nila ‘yung mga pangarap ng pamilya nila. Sana bigyan natin sila ng respeto. ‘Yung mga nangs-scam. Kahit sabihin niyo pong isang daan o isang libo lang ‘yan, malaking bagay po ‘yan sa pamilya nila. Bigyan po natin ng konsiderasyon lahat ng delivery riders,” he added.
