Actor Eric Fructuoso surprised everyone when he posted a photo of him on board a tricycle which led many to assume that he has turned to being a tricycle driver amid the pandemic.
The Gwapings member in an Instagram post on Tuesday said that he got no room for “kaartehan” during these trying times, stressing that as long as he’s earning income through legal means, he will do everything to provide for his family.
“Times like these hindi pwedeng kaartehan ang paiiralin! Basta ligal na pagkakakitaan para sa mga anak, tirahin lang ng tirahin!” the former Kadenang Ginto star captioned his photo.
Netizens commended Eric’s attitude, agreeing that everyone needs to find ways to be able to cope with the current situation.
But reacting to some comments on his Facebook account, Eric clarified that he is not literally working as a tricycle driver.
He explained that his post was simply misunderstood but he’s ready to take up the job if and when such a time comes. “Hindi ko din naman tatanggihan ang pagkakataon.”
He further said in a video he posted on Facebook that he was just trying to set an example by reminding people that one should not belittle whatever one does in order to make a living.
“Sa panahon kasi nga ngayon, di ka nga pwede maarte, di ba? Di pwede kaartehan ang pairalin, basta pagkakakitaan, legal, para sa pamilya, tirahin ng tirahin, I was just trying to live by example. Ibig sabihin, magiging good example tayo sa mga tao, di natin ikahihiya pa ang mga ginagawa natin, kasi ang iba, nahihiya magbenta-benta, mahihiya sa pagtinda ng kung ano-ano, wag tayo mahiya, at least kumikita di ba?”
Eric also stressed that people should not be ashamed of their jobs because no job is too small.
“Sa akin lang hangga’t hindi sila ang nagpapakain sa yo, ‘wag mo silang intindihin, tirahin mo nalang ng tirahin. Kung ano sabihin nila, hangga’t hindi sila ang naglalagay ng pagkain sa harap mo at sa pamilya mo… *ina nila lahat di ba, ganun lang yun. Kaya wag kang mahiya sa ginagawa mo. Walang mababang trabaho. Lahat ng trabaho, may silbi yan.”
“Yun nga yung tricycle driver, nung tinanggal yung lahat ng public transportation, ano, nganga lahat. Parang kuryente at tubig lang yan. Ayaw na ayaw natin bayaran ang kuryente at tubig pero pag nawala yan, masisira ulo mo diba?”
Eric also reminded the public the importance of kindness after being mocked for his tricycle post.
“Isa pa, di naman tinuturo ni God na maging judgmental tayo, or mapanglait, always be kind to people.”