"KUNG gigutom ka nga walay kwarta, duola ang tig-bantay. Ayaw kaulaw."
(If you’re hungry but have no money, just approach us and don’t be shy.)
This was the message plastered on a food cart in Poblacion Ward 4, Minglanilla, Cebu, thanks to Christian Geonzon, 22, a fourth year student of the University of Cebu, and his family, who owns the food cart business.
Christian said he wrote the message “kay basin maulaw ang mga tao mo approach sa akoa. Manghatag ko if ma meet na nako ang quota sa ako sales, especially in the afternoon, ara na ko manghatag og food.”
(The people might feel hesitant to approach me. I give food every time the sales quote is met, and that happens usually in the afternoon.)
“The reason behind nga mo hatag ko og food kay I’m always grateful sa mga blessings nga naabot sa akong life. I always share my blessings sa mga tao kung unsa may naa nako nga mga butang ron, ako ra pud e-pay forward sa mga tao,” he added.
(I give food because I’m always grateful for the blessings that I have received. I always share my blessings to the people, so whatever I have now, I give back to them.)
The family has been giving free food for several years now, since they started their “bilao” business, and Christian said they have no plans of ending it.
“Dili jud ni mahuman akong panghatag ma’am as long as nag-operate pa amo mga business (This won’t end as long as we have the food cart business),” he said, adding that he helps in their business in the morning and goes to school in the evening.
His message to the public: “Dili tanan same nato og privilege, so be grateful always sa mga butang nga naa ninyo karon. Dili ta mo complain og unsa kalisud sa kinabuhi kay naa pay mga tao nga galisud pa sa atoa. The more ta mo hatag, 10x pud and balik ana gikan sa Ginoo. That’s why I’m blessed to share to others.”
(Not all of us have the same privilege, so be grateful always for everything that you have now. Don’t complain of how hard life is because there are other people who have worse situation than yours. The more we open our hearts to give, the more blessings we receive from God. That’s why I’m blessed to share to others.) (LMY)
