G for Bayanihan: First Bike Ride, GCash team up to help ‘Tatay Romy’

True to the bayanihan spirit – Filipinos came together with the help of GCash to give a much-needed lifeline to Tatay Romy, a father who traveled four hours on a bicycle with his two kids to seek assistance for his family.

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His plight went viral on social media when Buji Babiera, a content creator and mobility advocate, shared a photo of Tatay Romy pushing a bicycle with his children on the Facebook page of First Bike Ride.

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Babiera was on his usual bike commute when he saw the father with his two kids on a bike, pushing his bicycle as he was crossing the steep Mabini bridge in Manila. Upon talking to him, Babiera found out Tatay Romy had been cycling for four hours just to seek help from a charitable institution – only to find out that they couldn’t avail of the assistance as they didn’t make it on time for the cut-off.

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Sharing their story online led to an overwhelming outpouring of help from thousands of Filipinos who were moved by his story. Babiera felt compelled to share their story as he believes that "no one, especially children, should be deprived of basic needs." However, Tatay Romy didn’t have a financial account where he could receive the gathered funds.

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As the post went viral online, GCash took the opportunity to partner with First Bike Ride and help Tatay Romy create a GCash account by giving him a new mobile phone with a Globe Telecom SIM card. 

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“We have never been happier to enable First Bike Ride and the many Filipinos who supported the donation drive to help Tatay Romy and his family. We want Tatay Romy and other Filipinos like him that they are not alone in their journey towards financial progress. We are glad to provide a faster and more efficient digital platform where people can mobilize support for families and communities in need. Through this, we can keep the bayanihan spirit alive,” GCash president and CEO Martha Sazon said.

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Through his GCash account, Tatay Romy successfully received the donations which helped him to buy an e-bike that he and his family can use for easier mobility. Aside from this, he has also chosen to set aside a portion of the donations for the future of his children, JesAnne, Jesrome, and Joshua.

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“This is just a small thing, but if you put that little help together, it could create a bigger relief for those who need it. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed. I hope that one day we won’t have to witness another Filipino family enduring hours of travel in our cities just to ask for help for their basic needs,” Babiera said. “Thanks to GCash for serving as the platform for Tatay Romy to easily receive donations from those willing to send help.”

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