Kay Leni Tayo: Lolo Julio and His Kariton ng Pangarap

On November 30, 2021, as we were cleaning and decorating our Leni-Kiko Pagmamahal Center in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Lolo Julio, with his kariton full of wood, stopped and asked us for Leni and Kiko's tarpaulin.

We asked him why. He told us he liked Leni.

Leni-Kiko volunteers Jerry and Nonalyn then gladly helped him decorate his kariton with the Leni-Kiko tarp and some pink ribbons.

After they decorated his kariton, Lolo Julio went on his way. He was no longer alone as Leni and Kiko joined him along his journey.

Lolo Julio was originally from Negros Oriental. In the 1950s, he ran away from home to escape the physical abuses of his father. One day, he hitched rides on delivery trucks until he arrived at Victorias, then a municipality. Upon getting off, the young Julio immediately looked for work. He went to the stores situated along the highway and asked around. He ended up as a houseboy for a family whose house was just along the highway.

(Lolo Julio with his kariton at Victorias City's

 Leni-Kiko Pagmamahal Center)

After we posted the photo of Lolo Julio and his kariton in social media, a few kind souls offered to help. And during the inauguration and blessing of our Leni-Kiko Pagmamahal Center at Don Felix Montinola building on December 1, 2021, we invited him, and he brought along his kariton. He didn't know then that there was already a plan to give him a new one.

                      

On April 6, 2022, when we arrived at his neighborhood, we asked Lolo Julio to show us his old kariton. With old wheels and its sides just made of bamboo slits nailed together, this old kariton has been his daily companion for years as he roamed the streets of the city to pick up discarded wood and other things he found useful.

He was surprised and happy when we showed up at his home with a new steel kariton painted pink and loaded with some canned goods, rice, and bread.

On March 11, 2022, at the grand rally at the Paglaum Sports Stadium, I heard VP Leni's speech about "kampanya ng pangarap". So, to borrow her words, we named Lolo Julio's new pink kariton as his "Kariton ng Pangarap".

Even his neighbors were happy for him. His new pink "Kariton ng Pangarap", which is sturdier with wheels that roll smoothly, will now be his daily companion. Thank you to the kind donors who made this happen. 

Lolo Julio and his family are part of those in the 'laylayan' that Leni is talking about in her speeches. This is why we are campaigning for Leni, Kiko and their senatoriables, so that, under their leadership, people like Lolo Julio will be the ones to benefit from the genuine public service and good governance we believe  they will bring.

#AngatbuhayLahat #GobyernongTapatAngatBuhayLahat

#LabanLeni2022 #LabanLeniKiko2022 #IpanaloNa10To

#7KikoPangilinanVicePresident #KikoAngManokKo