A certain Jayvee Ruiz made headlines among netizens as his photo posted by Facebook User Otek Durante went viral online and his story was also featured on GMA News Saksi on January 16, 2014.
Watch the video interview of Jayvee Ruiz on GMA7:
Facebook user Otek Durante posted the photo of Jayvee Ruiz on his Facebook account but the photo was originally set to be viewed by his friends only. Some netizens who saw the photo and the story of Jayvee Ruiz reposted on various Facebook Page and went viral immediately after a few hours of posting.
Here’s the viral photo of Jayvee Ruiz:
Here’s the Original Description of the Photo posted by Otek Durante:
“Saw this homeless kid at 2:10am the other day at some corner burger stand at Roces Ave (block away from Quezon Ave).
We were installing a signage at a mall nearby when it was time for me and the driver to buy some snacks for our crew. Couldn’t help but notice this dirty looking kid with his jersey slung on one shoulder, reading something. Went for a closer look and there he was, reading a math problem. I asked him what was he studying, just to start a conversation. He then just glanced at me and said, “para sa school po”. I asked him what year was he in? He didn’t reply but the young man selling us the burgers then blurted out “nag-aaral yan siya dati sir kaso namatay ang tatay niya last year tapos di na matustusan ng tita niya, so palaboy na po siya”. The kid is also motherless. I told the kid that what he was doing was quite remarkable. He doesn’t go to school anymore yet he still finds time to study. The kid is very shy. Speaks only a few words, til I noticed he has a cross-eye problem. Maybe he was too shy to talk to strangers because of his condition.
As we were waiting on for our burgers, I continued on. I told the kid that he better stay away from solvent or any petty crimes and that what he’s doing is awesome and he should not stop studying wether in school or not. Again, the burger guy answered for him. “Tinutulungan ko siya sir. Dati po siyang rugby boy pero nakita ko talaga iniiwasan na niya mga barkada niya. Mas gusto daw niya mag-aral”.
The boy sleeps on the streets and eats only whenever he can. Sometimes when the burger guy helps him out. (sorry i didn’t get his name) But not everyday he claims since he can’t afford it either. He tutors him instead when this young kid sits around the burger stand and wait for parking jeepneys. Mabuhay ka burger guy!
All I could do at the time was to include him in our snacks too. Bought him a burger and a drink. I also bought some sardines, supposedly for breakfast, i gave that away too. Couldn’t give him any of our company’s money since he doesn’t issue any receipt. Lol. Kidding aside, the kid just gave me resounding ‘thank you po’. Tell you what, that was one of the best working nights I ever spent. Such a sight to see. Short but amazing conversation with the kid and the burger guy.
His name is Jayvee Ruiz. May you continue to pursue your dreams Jayvee. Don’t give up and keep the faith. Life is hard. But life is good. I’ll see you again soon. I’ll bring some shirts as I promised.”
