‘PAGTULONG NA WALANG HINIHILING KAPALIT’

3rd part of a series…

FOR TATAY DANILO, Raiza Cuenca is a champion caregiver. Taking care of the old man she doesn’t even know personally.

Tatay Danilo’s case, who only sleeps outside of the building fronting the old amphitheater for decades, is a classic example of how ‘Pinays’ abroad took care of their patients at the home for the aged in the US and in many countries of the world.

The only difference is that Pinay caregivers abroad receive dollar income but Raiza gets nothing (with free bashers). It’s purely unconditional love. Mind you, Raiza was only mesmerized at how Tatay Danilo is able to sell stuff on the street despite his age at 74. And Raiza also got stunned at how Tatay Danilo feeds his pigeon friends (kalapati). Then she decided to help Tatay Danilo as a volunteer caregiver.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Raiza’s unconditional love is what matters now for “Tatay Danilo” in this most challenging times of his life. At 74 years old, Tatay Danilo only hopes to survive for more years.

She could have earned a lot if she chooses to go abroad and earn dollars. But the ‘heart of gold’ she has, made her sacrificed herself to the person she barely know for weeks.

The art of caregiving is innate in her heart and she will do it even without asking in return. Yes, she has needs, she also needs money but for Raiza the satisfaction in helping other people and finding her true self could never be compensated with money and material things.

Because Raiza is maybe the angel that God sent here on Earth to help Tatay Danilo in times he needs medical attention due to his respiratory problems. According to the doctor, Tatay Danilo has tuberculosis and he’s been taking the pain to himself,  and instead, focused on selling stuff at the DVSoria he calls a living, merely to survive and enjoy the remainders of his life.

Tatay Danilo is now 74 year’s old.

RAIZA COULDN’T PLEASE EVERYBODY

And even though she is doing everything to help the poor, old man on the street, but her good deeds of being a good samaritan is also met with bashing and negative approaches by people who enjoy twisting positive thoughts into negative feedbacks.

Well, Raiza couldn’t please everybody. As Jesus was even met with so much anger from people who were against His miracle healing activities. Just like Jesus, who only helped the poor and healed the sick, Raiza was only doing what she thinks is good, and she’s doing the right thing.

Sometimes, these negative thoughts of other people could pull Raiza down and she oftentimes shed tears. However, Raiza has also that strong conviction that she did nothing wrong and why she be afraid of.

She says, the more she heard negative thoughts and disoriented and misguided souls, the more she wants to take the fight to the next level. As the Tagalog saying goes, “Habang nasusugatan mas lalo pang tumatapang.”

RAIZA CHOOSES TO BE STRONG

STRONG AS EVER. Raiza posseses a strong personality that bashers cannot just put her down in accusing her on issues how she handles donations for “Tatay Danilo.” 

There maybe strong opposition to what she is currently doing to help the  old man, But she chooses to do good and be strong. She believes she has found satisfaction in what she does and found her calling as a good samaritan and not only as a ‘happy go lucky” person she used to be.

For you Raiza, best wishes and may the good Lord continue to shower you with blessings and to continue helping Tatay Danilo even to the most difficult times. We knew “Tatay Danilo” has only few years to live BUT the unconditional love you have shared to him will be remembered forever.

IN the end all us of will be judged by the Almighty, not in how many millions we have accumulated on Earth, BUT in how many people we served while we still live – and how many good deeds we have done to help our brothers and sisters in need without asking in return. Good luck and keep safe!!