Italian begging in Espana
It was last month when this writer was walking straight to his place of work when sought a foreigner begging in the footbridge in Espana near Morayta in Manila. He was so weary, in need of money for food and perhaps, yearning to go home as he was sitting in a concrete floor, with his bag and a cardboard, with writing in English begging for money for his sustenance.
Weird as others may think of at first, especially seeing a foreigner begging for alms instead of living comfortably in Metro Manila, that instead of enjoying fond memories of sun, sand in Boracay and in Puerto Galera, of shopping in Makati, that person rather end up having a cardboard urging people to give coins or bills to him in pursuit of having a ticket to go home or to pay for his expenses. Again, it is weird, but true.
But aside from taking some pictures of him, This writer asked him where was he came from. Giuseppe (not his real name) said that he came from Italy, and he went to the Philippines as a tourist since last August. However, his life of enjoyment changed as someone stole his money, thus making him impossible to travel despite having passport and the like. And thus he end up like those of the beggars begging in the streets of Manila for survival.
One vendor even asked yours truly where he came from, some even looked at the writer talking to that person out of concern. Yes, although it is weird to talk to a strange person, that person needs help, unless he wanted to stay for long and get contented in begging or scavenging like those of the Americans in Olongapo. He even asked this person why he knew the song "Bandiera Rossa" as he sampled the song directly to him.
And before parted ways, this writer asked if he's planning to go to the Italian Embassy for help. Obviously, he said "Yes", but this writer don't know if he seriously undertook of going to the Embassy as an Italian citizen although that said interview made him abit thinking, or rather say worrying that how come there are also foreigners begging in the streets if not scavenging or wandering aimlessly out of drunkenness. That, obviously contrary to the common perception of foreigners as having much money to squander especially those of going to the country as investors, or for convenience.
Worse, that the Italy where he lived is also stricken by the crisis affecting Europe. Sadly to say to that person, but to those who sought him begging or wandering in the streets of Manila, or in any other cities in the metro, may as well help him go to the Embassy in order for him to go home.