A 77-year-old jeepney driver has received financial assistance from actress and vlogger Ivana Alawi after his story drew widespread attention online following a road incident in Manila.
Tatay Roberto, who has been behind the wheel since age 50, was involved in a collision near Carriedo that was captured in a TikTok post by a passenger identified as Rio. In her video, Rio recalled the moment the jeepney she was riding was struck by a car that allegedly cut in front of them without warning. More than the accident itself, it was the sight of the elderly driver standing helpless in the middle of the chaos that moved her to tears.
“Naiyak ako kasi natakot ako para sa buhay ko, pero may mas malalim pa palang dahilan kung bakit ako naiyak. Dahil habang tinitignan ko si tatay, naaawa ako,” she said in her post.
Rio later learned that Tatay Roberto had been diagnosed with early-stage cataract in one eye — a condition that led his jeepney operator to pull him off the road. With no income and a wife suffering from epilepsy who requires daily medication, the elderly driver found himself in a desperate situation. His only child, he said, no longer provides him financial support.
“Kaya ako napilitan mag-hanapbuhay. ‘Di ko malaman kung takwil na ba ang tawag sa’kin eh,” Tatay Roberto shared during his conversation with Alawi, who documented their meeting in a Facebook reel posted on May 23.
Alawi handed him P30,000 in cash and a sari-sari store starter package valued at P50,000 — fulfilling a long-held dream the driver had mentioned during their talk. He had said that owning a small store had always been his hope for a more stable livelihood.
Overcome with emotion upon receiving the help, Tatay Roberto expressed relief that he could now purchase medicine for himself and his wife.
“Talagang hindi ako makapaniwala na ganito na ang nangyayari,” he said, visibly tearful.
Alawi also personally drove him to Bulacan, where his wife is currently staying.
“Ganito lang ang buhay ko, mayroong taong tumutulong sa’kin ngayon. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Ivana,” he added.
Rio, whose viral video set the story in motion, was also thanked by the driver. It was she who reached out to Alawi’s team and appealed to netizens for support. A transparency report she later shared indicated that donations for Tatay Roberto had climbed to P194,865.59, earmarked for his medical and daily needs.
Online reaction to Alawi’s post was swift and largely positive, with many viewers drawing pointed comparisons to the pace at which government aid typically moves.
“Bilis talaga umaksyon ni Ivana, nakakahiya sa mga nakaupo,” one commenter wrote.
“Mas mabilis pa sa gobyerno, just saying,” another added.
