Some people nowadays are more than willing to help those who are in need. With the advancement of technology, some heartbreaking stories spread like wildfire on the internet, and if the story's subject needs help, concerned netizens express willingness to respond. However, there are inevitable circumstances where those who help are the ones being put in danger.
One example of this is this story which went viral in 2014. A Facebook user named Pattie Sigua shared her encounter with a boy whose story motivated her to give a helping hand. According to her, he met a boy named Edward Pangilinan who sells sweet potatoes (kamote) on Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Pangilinan told Sigua that he was diagnosed with bone cancer. Upon hearing the heartbreaking story, Sigua immediately went to her social media platforms to call out for help regarding Pangilinan's situation. What motivated her was the idea that Pangilinan strives hard to survive given he is already suffering from a deadly condition.
Everything seemed to go very well between the two as Pangilinan received donations and special interests from concerned people who wish to help him. Moreover, many netizens also wanted to blog about his story.
However, the tables have turned between them after a year.
In 2015, Sigua once again went to her Facebook account to clarify her information about Pangilinan. She said that people are still asking her about him but unfortunately, she can no longer give any details as she lost contact with the boy. However, an unexpected incident motivated her to disclose the truth behind Pangilinan's story.
According to Sigua, an unnamed netizen sent her a message on Facebook informing her that they met with Pangilinan. The boy shared the netizen his story and because of their kindness, they gave the boy a cash donation amounting to Php 5,000.00 for his medical operation. After Pangilinan received the money, he asked again for another Php 6,000.00 and gave the netizens the details for the money transfer process. The netizens then asked him about his hospital details but he refused to answer.
This caused Sigua to release an online public advisory informing the netizens that she conducted an investigation regarding Pangilinan and found out the truth.
Sigua revealed that Pangilinan is not suffering from any disease.
A group of students went to Pangilinan's residence in Tondo. They found out that the boy's family is not asking him to work for himself as he is just using his profit to sustain his selfish needs. He used the opportunity provided by Sigua's initiative to help just to abuse people's emotional vulnerability upon hearing his made-up story.
Because of this, Sigua advised the public to be critical first before they offer help for somebody.
Read her full post here:
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