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How viral photo changed the lives of a 'selfless father' and his family

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Rhys Buccat, ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA -- The story of 38-year-old Ryan Arebuabo, the &quot;selfless father&quot; in a photo that has gone viral, has touched millions of readers from different parts of the world. Yet, for him, he is no different from many parents who would endure hunger so their children can enjoy a full meal. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src=" http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/03/13/photo1.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc"><cite>Photo courtesy of Jhunnel Sarajan </cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Three months have passed since ABS-CBN News first visited Arebuabo and his two daughters, Rose Ann and Rose Mae, in their tiny home in Tondo, Manila. </p><ul class="op-related-articles" title="Read:">	<li><strong>Read: </strong> <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/life/03/13/17/the-story-behind-selfless-father-in-viral-photo">The story behind selfless father in viral photo </a></li></ul><p>At first glance, it is easy to think that not much has changed in their lives. They still reside in a four-square-meter space beside a creek filled with garbage and waste. They use only a makeshift bathroom. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/06/17/ryan-1.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">This is Estero de Vitas in Tondo, Manila where Tatay Ryan Arebuado and his family lives. <cite> Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Arebuabo, who suffered a stroke a few years ago, still wakes up at 5 a.m. to help his children prepare for school. Rain or shine, he walks them to and from school despite having difficulty getting on his feet.</p><p>He stays up in the wee hours to attend to his small cart along Juan Luna Street, selling coffee and cigarettes to jeepney drivers. </p><p>Looking at the family&#x27;s condition, it&#x27;s easy to think they haven&#x27;t had any help. But upon closer look, subtle changes can be noticed. Tears turned into genuine smiles and hearty laughs. </p><div><strong>A STRONGER FOUNDATION </strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/06/17/ryan-2.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Ryan Arebuabo, a stroke victim and a single father of two kids, gained Internet fame when a photo of him feeding his two kids at a fastfood restaurant went viral. <cite> Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>An ABS-CBN News team met up with Arebuabo on Friday, two days before Father&#x27;s Day. He greeted the team with a radiant smile, offered a seat, and began narrating how the viral photo has changed his life. </p><p>&quot;Sobrang saya ko. Ang ngiti ko nga, abot tainga na sa sobrang tuwa at pagpapasalamat,&quot; Arebuabo said. </p><p>Arebuabo said he continues to receive financial help even until today. After the photo went viral, Arebuabo&#x27;s younger sister, Ria Infante, created a bank account for her brother, where people can send money. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/06/17/ryan-3.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Tatay Ryan has received help from concerned citizens for his therapy after his his photo went viral. <cite> Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Infante said her brother remains prudent about money amid the financial help he has been receiving. He makes sure he only spends money on important matters. </p><p>&quot;Para lang sa mga anak ko &#x27;to. Akala nila kuripot ako, hindi nila alam sila ang pinag-iipunan ko,&quot; Arebuabo said. </p><p>Arebuabo gave ABS-CBN News a tour of his home, where he proudly showed the newly installed roof, wall, and wooden door. With these improvements, he and his children will no longer worry about the rainy days to come. &quot;Parang ako &#x27;yan, matatag na,&quot; he said. </p><div><strong>A STABLE SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/06/17/ryan-4.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Tatay Ryan shows one of his two tricycles which he acquired using donated money. <cite> Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>With all the money he received, Arebuabo was able to buy two second-hand tricycles to augment his income. The tricycles bear the name of his most priced possession, his two children. </p><p>&quot;Una pa lang, noong may mga gustong tumulong na pang-hanapbuhay, motor talaga iyong una kong naisip,&quot; said Arebuabo, who believes that one day he&#x27;d get better behind the wheel and learn how to drive. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/06/17/ryan-5.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Tatay Ryan and the sari-sari store he put up using funds from the Department of Social Work and Development. <cite> Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>He has received grocery items that he now sells in his cart. He has also gotten sacks of rice, which he shared with his siblings. </p><p>&quot;Dati, kaunti lang ang laman niyang tindahan, pero noong na-feature na ako, dumami na. Noong may mga nagbigay ng grocery, iyon na ang ibinenta ko. Iyong iba, tinabi ko para sa mga anak ko,&quot; he said. </p><p>With these new sources of income, Arebuabo now makes P500 a day, good enough to put a decent meal on the table and support his children&#x27;s basic needs. </p><div><strong>PRICELESS GIFTS</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/06/17/ryan-6.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Tatay Ryan keeps photos of Rose Ann and Rose May in their small house to remind him of the true treasures in his life. <cite> Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>In his past interview with ABS-CBN News, Arebuabo only asked one thing for himself -- to be able to avail of therapy. After he suffered a stroke in 2013, he has always dreamed of undergoing treatment. He wanted to restore his normal mobility so he could get a stable job. </p><p>A wellness clinic in Binondo volunteered to give him free therapy sessions until his movement improves. His brother personally takes him to the clinic, three times a week, using his new tricycle. </p><p>&quot;Iyong paglalakad ko, mabilis na. Iyong kamay ko, dati hindi ko maiangat, ngayon kaya ko na,&quot; he said. &quot;Minsan kapag hinahatid ko sa eskwela ang mga anak ko, sinasabi nila mabagal akong maglakad. Pero magmula noong pumasok &#x27;tong therapy, ayon dire-diretso na.&quot; </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/06/17/ryan-7.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Rose Mae runs to Tatay Ryan&#x27;s arms upon her return from school. <cite> Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>But, perhaps, the most priceless gift he received is the scholarship that actor Piolo Pascual promised to provide to his children. According to Arebuabo, the actor who is playing his character on &quot;MMK&quot; this Saturday, pledged that he will pay for the children&#x27;s tuition in a private school. </p><p>Infante is currently looking for a private school, where the nieces can be enrolled. The school supplies they&#x27;d be needing will be shouldered by a local bookstore. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/06/17/ryan-8.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Tatay Ryan enjoys a light moment with daughters Rose Ann (center) and Rose May (left) in his small stall. <cite> Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>&quot;Wala na po akong hihilingin pa,&quot; he said. &quot;Basta makapag-aral lang iyong mga anak ko. Iyong gamot at pera, sandali lang iyon. Pero kung iyong mga anak ko, nakapagtapos sila, wala na akong mahihiling pa.&quot; </p><p>Pascual also gave him a brand-new phone that he can use to call him if he needs anything. &quot;Taos-puso ang pagpapasalamat ko kay Piolo. Binigyan na ako ng cellphone, pag-aaralin pa iyong mga anak ko. Sobrang laki ang pasasalamat ko sa kanya,&quot; he added. </p><div><strong>FOREVER GRATEFUL</strong></div><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/06/17/ryan-9.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Piolo Pascual gave Tatay Ryan a cellphone that he can use to text him when he needs anything.<cite>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>Apart from using the phone to communicate with his relatives and Pascual, Arebuabo is also using it to take photos of the people who come to their house and offer their help. </p><p>&quot;Parang way niya raw iyon para laging makita ng mga anak niya iyong mukha ng mga taong tumulong sa kanila, para hindi sila makakalimot,&quot; Arebuabo said. </p><p>According to Arebuabo, he will be forever grateful to the person who took the viral photo, to those who shared his story, to those who helped, and to those who silently prayed for him. He also assured that all the help he&#x27;s been receiving will go to a good cause. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/life/06/17/ryan-10_1.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Tatay Ryan walks Rose Ann, one of his two children, to school. The two children&#x27;s education has become a priority for Tatay Ryan. <cite> Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p>&quot;Hindi ko pera iyan, para sa mga anak ko iyan. Para sa kinabukasan nila, at para hindi sila matulad sa akin,&quot; he said. </p><p>A day before Father&#x27;s Day, Arebuabo is planning to have an advance celebration with the whole family. He asked Ria to prepare menudo and fried chicken, a simple meal they&#x27;ll share together as they watch how a selfless father persisted through the toughest times. <strong>— With Nelson Morales, ABS-CBN News</strong></p>

<p>With all the money he received, Ryan was able to buy two second-hand tricycles, which now give him extra income. The tricycles bear the name of his most priced possession, his two children. </p>

With all the money he received, Ryan was able to buy two second-hand tricycles, which now give him extra income. The tricycles bear the name of his most priced possession, his two children.

How viral photo changed the lives of a 'selfless father' and his family

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Lifestyle

How viral photo changed the lives of a 'selfless father' and his family

Rhys Buccat,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 17, 2017 07:48 PM PHT

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Updated June 18, 2017 12:00 AM PHT

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Ryan Arebuabo

selfless father

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