Manila mayoralty candidate Sam Versoza has once again distributed free siomai carts to individuals looking to start their own businesses.
Each cart is attached to a bicycle for easy transport and comes fully equipped with cooking and vending essentials such as a stove, steamer, drink containers, cooler, sauce bottles, condiment jars, and more. The carts also include initial food supplies like siomai, rice, condiments, soy sauce, sago, and gulaman.
When asked about the origin of his food cart initiative during our mini talk after the distribution on October 29 at Frontrow HQ in Quezon City, Versoza shared a touching story: “May isang pagtitipon, tapos nagsasalita ako, bigla siyang lumapit. Sabi ko, ‘Sino itong batang ito?’ Pagtingin ko sa kanya, meron siyang down syndrome. Pagtingin ko naman sa nanay niya, naglalabandera raw tapos ‘yung tatay, medyo may sakit, hindi rin makapagtrabaho. Tapos sabi ko, ‘Paano mo ako nakilala?’ Pinapanood daw niya ako sa telebisyon.”
“Tapos sabi ko, tara bibigyan kita ng pangkabuhayan package sumama ka sa akin.’ At ngayon, sinurprise ko sila ngayon, tuwang-tuwa. Kilalang-kilala ako nung bata, pinapanood niya ako sa telebisyon at ‘yun nagulat na lang ako sa pagmamahal na ibinibigay nila,” he added.
Versoza chose siomai food carts as the focus of his giveaway because, from his experience, siomai carts tend to perform well in the long term. “Palaging may bumibili ng siomai,” he said.
Despite running for mayor in Manila, Versoza’s outreach extends beyond the city, with his ‘SioMaynila’ initiative reaching Bulacan, Taguig, Cavite, and other areas. “Para sa akin, wala namang lugar ang pagtulong,” he said. His charity efforts also extend through his show ‘Dear SV,’ which has reached as far as Mindanao.
Versoza revealed that many people have written to his team, applying for the free business start-up packages, and each application is carefully reviewed to select those in need.
In a recent visit to Quiapo, Versoza shared a disheartening update regarding the carts: “Alam ninyo po kung anong nakakalungkot? Maraming hinuhuli na mga ganito (sabay hawak sa food cart). Hinuhuli na raw sa Maynila. Kanina, galing ako sa Quiapo, may dalawa pa raw na inimpound at kinuha na ganito. Nakakalungkot ang mga ganitong istorya.”
“Binigyan mo ng kabuhayan, ngayon dahil sa pamumulitika, hinuhuli pa. Hahanapan ka ng sangkatutak na butas makuha lang ito para ‘di ko alam kung anong layunin nila. Nakakalungkot, nakakalungkot ang mga ganitong klaseng balita. Kaya sabi ko nga, ‘Bukas tutubusin ko e.’ Magkano man ‘yan, pupuntahan ko sila, ‘yung mga nahuli.”
Versoza has committed to weekly distributions of his livelihood packages, and he’s continually manufacturing more food carts to meet the demand. During his recent visits, he also pledged additional support to a father whose child is currently hospitalized.
Through this initiative, Versoza aims to offer a sustainable livelihood to families striving for a better future.
