Special Feature
GOODBYE ‘TATAY DANILO’
OUR TRIBUTE POST to the demise of a homeless man and abandoned father ‘Tatay Danilo’ (Danilo Padiño) went viral on social media yesterday.
This goes to show that even to the last breath of the poor old man and abandoned father, thousands of well-meaning Kagay-anons and people who have heard of Tatay Danilo’s heartwarming story, have supported him, donated food, some cash and gave him something to help him survive the ultimate challenge of his life.
‘Tatay Danilo’ has tried to survived the crisis, and let live, but it was too late of him.
He has acute Tuberculosis.
Although his illness can be cured in recent medical discoveries but it was, maybe, too late. When he was rescued a few months ago at the DVsoria, where he sells candies and cigarettes, he has difficulty breathing, which means his illness has started to take its toll on him.
His situation before he was rescued
At the DVsoria plaza, Tatay Danilo frequents everyday to sell his stuff enough to buy him food and bread for his pigeon (kalapati) fiends.
Yes, even though he only sells a little everyday for his food, but he would always make it a point to buy some bread to feed his bird friends.
People who buy his candies and cigarettes would always remember Tatay because for decades he’s been an ambulant vendor.
The homeless man and abandoned father, ‘Tatay Danilo,’ whom kind-hearted and well-meaning Kagay-anons have supported during his hospitalization and until his death yesterday (May 29), was brought to his final resting place at the city cemetery.
The only worst thing is that he is living alone. He has no one to turn to. No families to help him in times of miseries and hardships, except for his vendor friends.
At the end of the day’s staying at the Plaza in Cagayan de Oro, he would only slept at the facade of a building near the amphitheater, unmindful of the risks while sleeping, unmindful of the coldness of the night. This is maybe the reason why he was contracted with a TB illness, as he would just placed a piece of cartoon at the cement floor of the building which is very cold during wee hours in the morning.
But God is amazing. Before He called ‘Tatay Danilo’ to join His Creator in heaven, God sent Ms Raiza Cuenca Mari, to take care of him during the remaining days of his life. For 20 years that he was abandoned and became a homeless man, no one took care of him. BUt maybe, it was God’s plan, that He has chosen Raiza (Astrid on FB) to show him of an unconditional love that he never felt for many years. Through the daily updates of Raiza on FB, kind-hearted Kagay-anons have started to listen to the story of the 74-year-old homeless man. Many shed tears, cried alonside with Raiza. Many well-meaning and kind-hearted people of the city has given their unwavering support to the old man and Raiza.
BUT NOW, Tatay Danilo is gone. His story will always linger in the hearts amd minds of people who have loved him, most especially Ms Raiza Cuenca Mari, his supposed ‘angel’ that cleanse him everyday, changes his diaper and feed him.
REST IN PARADISE ‘TATAY DANILO’ WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.
READ PART 1 – A Heartwarming Story of ‘Tatay Danilo’
READ PART 2 – God Sends ‘Tatay ‘Danilo An Angel
READ PART 3 – Raiza Cuenca: Champion Caregiver for ‘Tatay Danilo’
READ PART 4 – Homeless Man Finally Found His New Home
