VP Robredo Helps Grade 1 Pupil Who Brings His 1-Year Old Brother to School, But On One Condition

A Grade 1 pupil in Sorsogon, Bicol reigon named Justin is bringing his younger brother to school because no one will take care of him at home, and he does want to be absent. His story went viral early this month, and tons of netizens were touched and admired Justin. For this, Vice President Leni Robredo helped him. However, there was one condition.

According to a post at KCMP Facebook page last February 1, the photo of Justin carrying his 1-year old brother while attending his class at Salvacion Elementary School in Magallanes, Sorsogon was sent by a certain Mam Lei, Justin’s teacher. Justin’s grandmother has a work in the mountain, and he does not want to be absent in school.

Apparently, Justin’s grandmother serves as their guardian. The whereabouts of Justin’s parents were not mentioned, and if he has still other siblings. But as expected, netizens praised the Justin’s determination to go to school. And although VP Robredo did not share the post on her Facebook page, she admitted that she visited him at home.

At first, Aling Rosing seems to be confused where to start, so I ask her first if she has a family or children. She said, “None” because she was then very busy in her work and businesses. She said she has one older brother who passed away several years ago, and his only child is now living in Canada. So I said, “Why not ask help from him?”

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“Ang totoo, ayoko na sanang magkwento pa kasi baka sabihin ng mga tao, tumulong lang ako para magpaganda ng image. Meron kaming litrato na magkasama sa bahay nila, pati yung lola at kapatid. Di ko lang pinalabas sa social media kasi baka sabihin na naman nila na puro photo ops lang ako.” VP Robredo told reporters, Monday, February 26.

(The truth is, I don’t want to talk about it because people might say that I only helped him to promote a good image. We had picture in their house, along with his grandmother and younger brother. I just told my staff not release the photos in public because people might say I’m only into photo ops.)

“Nung nakita ko yung photo, ipinahanap ko agad yung bata at pinuntahan ko agad. Nagkataon kasi na nasa Albay ako at namimigay ng tulong sa mga lumikas dahil sa pag-alburuto ng Mayon.” She added. And although she did not mention what she gave to Justin and his family, her staff said that it includes rice, groceries and some cash.

(When I saw his picture, I immediately told my staff to find him and we went to their house. It’s so happened that at that time I was in Albay, giving assistance to the people who left their house because of Mayon Volcano’s eruption.)



According to VP Robredo, Justin was so thankful with her presents. She said that Justin was really studious because he was doing his homework while taking care of his brother when she and her staff arrived. But then, she told Justin that she has only one condition. “Sabi ko, wag na dalhin sa school yung kapatid na maliit kasi kawawa naman.” She said.

Contributed by Cherry Luz Alcantara