What started out as a heartbreaking tale has turned into a feel-good story, just in time for the holidays.
A few days ago, a video went viral online, showing a foodpanda rider breaking down in tears after his prized bicycle—the one piece of equipment that he relies on for livelihood—got stolen while doing a food delivery.
The video, taken at a mall in Laguna, showed the rider, Joshua Belen, crying inconsolably at his misfortune (he can be heard asking why this had to happen to him, when he was just trying to earn an honest living) while bystanders tried their best to console him. As the video went viral on social media, many netizens likewise sent in their words of support, while a few came forward to offer much more.
Social media influencer JayTV of Team Katagumpay, hugely popular among the rider community for helping those in need, posted a video on Facebook showing him surprising Joshua with a brand new bike. Visibly moved by the gesture, Joshua was seen crying once more—but this time, with tears of joy. The video has so far been watched over 7.4 million times, with over half a million positive reactions from netizens.
More people have reached out to Joshua with their own tokens of kindness, including another popular rider vlogger, Motor ni Juan, who worked together with a popular public affairs TV program to surprise him with a brand-new motorcycle, something that the overjoyed Ka-panda rider said he had only dreamed of owning one day.
“I am really overwhelmed by all of these blessings, and very thankful to all the kind people who helped me,” a teary Joshua said in Filipino.
For its part, foodpanda lauded the outpouring of support from these erstwhile strangers, while the company and its rider benefits partners have also been inspired to gift Joshua with over P10,000 worth of rider merchandise, as well as insurance coverage on his new ride courtesy of regional insurtech Igloo insurance.
“Joshua’s story of perseverance echoes the stories of thousands of other foodpanda riders. They are not only hardworking, but they also work with honesty and integrity. So it is just fitting that Joshua receives all of these blessings from Good Samaritans after what happened to him,” said Guillherme de Porto, foodpanda’s director of operations.
Daniel Marogy, managing director of foodpanda Philipines, added that “it is wonderful to see netizens, partners, and fellow Pandas come to Joshua’s aid to help him get back on his feet.”
“It is a great example of what the Filipino bayanihan spirit is all about, and during the holiday season at that. We are very excited to see Joshua continue to be one of our Ka-Pandas,” said Marogy.
