The Hongkong beggars are of course fewer than those in our own country, but they are still noticeable. More so because they are in the midst of glamorous people wearing boots, faux fur and expensive shoes and bags. Their presence is in contrast with the thousands of moneyed tourists and locals that pass by them.
She was looking for the one Hongkong dollar coin that I dropped.
I felt so sad when I saw her.
In the Philippines, a lot of Chinese people are affluent. I am sure there are also some who are struggling but I do not see Chinese beggars in Manila.
It breaks my heart when I see Chinese people living in misery. Most especially when I see old men begging because I see my father’s face in them.
I wanted to speak to this guy, if only I could speak Chinese.
I wanted to know why he is in this situation. I saw him in the underpass from Ashley Road to Nathan Road. I couldn’t stop because Edmund was with me. Mapapagalitan nya ko, he always tells me pati problema ng ibang tao pinoproblema ko kaya lagi akong stress.
Did you hear the story about that Filipino boy who had dinner with his mom in a hotel in Manila? He excused himself to go to the toilet and he never came back.
A year later, a friend of the mom was vacationing in Hongkong. She saw a beggar at the corner of a street while she was walking, she stopped and dropped a coin. The beggar looked up and recognized the face of the woman. He said “Ninang…” The woman was shocked when she realized this was her inaanak that disappeared in the hotel. His left leg was amputated by the syndicates that took him.
A relative of mine told me about this tragic story long time ago. I had no reason to doubt that she just invented this story.
Everytime I see a beggar with one leg, I couldn’t help but be instantly reminded of that boy’s sad fate.
