The footprints of Manny Pacquiao were all over a portion of Marikina’s waterworld last week when the boxing legend dispatched his emissary to provide assistance to those in dire need of help.
Jayke Joson thought his well-known benefactor was simply checking on him during the aftermath of typhoon “Ulysses” devastation when his phone rang.
“He called me up and asked if I was okay because he had seen on TV that the area near where I reside was submerged in floodwaters,” Joson said yesterday.
But Joson, best known for being on camera whenever his boss takes the spotlight here and overseas, assured the guy on the other line that he was well and dry.
“He told me to see what was the condition of the people,” Joson said.
In a snap, Joson jumped out of bed and used his binoculars to see the world around him.
Soon after, Joson sought the help of the Coast Guard, which brought him to areas where people were either staying on top of roofs or in non-flooded areas trying to look for help.
With the Coast Guard assisting, Joson managed to go where people were struggling to keep their heads above water.
“People were asking for food because the little that they had were washed away by the floods during the surge.”
Joson didn’t have any relief goods on hand given the short notice and he wound up distributing cash to those who were asking for something that could tide them over.
The line was as long as the eyes could see.
Still, Joson patiently stood and handed over bills to just about everyone who fell in line.
“It was Senator Manny’s way of providing help right away because he knew people were not just tired but also hungry after what they had gone through,” he said.
