General Santos City – Two days before Father’s Day, Senator Manny Pacquiao gave the father of a soldier killed in Marawi City a gift the old man never thought he would receive – the rice farm which was mortgaged to send the ill-fated warrior to college.
On Friday night, in his General Santos City mansion, the former street kid turned sports superstar turned Senator gave two checks to farmer Carlito Baldovino of Dagupan, Kabacan so he could start life anew.
The first check of P200,000 was given to a Baldovino Family friend who received the mortgage of a 1/2 hectare rice farm many years ago so Carlito’s son, Staff Sergeant Marlon Baldovino will be able to finish college.
The second check of P50,000 was given by Senator Pacquiao to the old man Baldovino to be used as his initial capitalisation in starting his farming again.
I and Dept. of Agriculture Regional Director Milagros Casis accompanied the Baldovino Family to Senator Pacquiao’s mansion last Friday.
To support the family, the DA Regional Office will also provide Carlito with seeds, fertiliser and a rice tiller.
During a visit I made to the Baldovino home in Kabacan two weeks ago, I learned that Carlito mortgaged his farm to a neighbour for P200,000 so that Marlon could finish college.
Before he was sent to Marawi City last month, Marlon told his father that he was applying for a loan so he could redeem the mortgaged property which was the only possession of the family.
On May 23, SSgt. Baldovino, an Army Scout Ranger Specialist was killed in battle in Marawi City.
Upon hearing the sad story, I immediately called up Senator Pacquiao and asked if he could help.
The former street kid who is known for his philantrophy since becoming a sports superstar immediately said “Yes.”
Interviewed by the media during the turn-over of the checks last Friday, Sen. Pacquiao said his help was a small token of appreciation for the sacrifices of a family who lost a son to protect the country.
I saw tears falling from Carlito Baldovino’s eyes as he received the help from a young man who in his younger years had to go to sleep on an empty stomach.
Indeed, for a man who builds and gives away houses for the poor families in Saranggani using his own money, P250,000 is not much to talk about.
But for the Baldovino family, the amount could change their lives forever.
(Photos by Mayette Tudlas.)
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