Katipunan Kariton routine

just walk by. According to Ngo, street dwellers continue to battle social stigma, leading to a harmful generalization of them as lazy and dangerous. Ngo shares that the government’s view of “street obstructions” has unjustly evolved to include the homeless and their meager properties.

Kuya Boyet’s kariton has been taken multiple times by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority officers and barangay officials. “ Kinuha [dati ng barangay] iyong kariton ko… Binalik nila, wala na iyong mga alaga ko,” he says about one of many instances.

(The barangay got my pushcart before… They returned it, but my pets were gone.)

However, Boyet received aid from local government units after his wife’s death just last March 21. From a barangay captain paying for hospital bills to local mayors organizing the burial, Kuya Boyet shared his gratitude for the outpouring of help amid battling grief.

Despite this, he mentioned no instance of receiving any kind of formal assistance. The Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Homeless Street Families was introduced because the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program excludes individuals without a permanent residence. However, the process of assigning recipients remains selective.

Common folk have thus carried the task of helping those like Kuya Boyet. Once, a student named Melody started talking with Kuya Boyet, prompting her to regularly help by giving him money and food. “ Sumasabay lang siya sa amin maglakad, hanggang sa [tinulungan] na niya kami (She used to walk with us until she eventually helped us), he says.

Davao, and 52 years old.

He shares no stories about her, except for one. “[M]ahirap alagaan ‘yung partner ko. Talo pa mga alaga ko—mga alaga ko, ‘pag iniwan ko, [sasabihin ko,] ‘diyan lang kayo.’ Pagbalik ko nandyan pa rin sila. ‘Yung ko, kung sinabi ko ‘diyan ka lang,’ nakabuntot ,” he shares in jest.

(My partner is hard to look after. My pets are even better: I say ‘stay there.’ When I get back they’re still there. My partner follows me even when I tell her

Kuya Boyet’s hesitance to explain his history highlights a general distrust with regards to opening up about the past. Ved*, a volunteer from Karition of Php 100 daily, but at times only scrapes up Php 75.

As prices of food in the country rise due to inflation, Kuya Boyet lives off of a forced diet for as long as his family is taken care of.

“Kahit hindi ako makakain, basta iyong mga alaga ko [makakain]…

Kumakain din [iyong asawa ko].

Nauuna pa nga siya,” he shares.

(Even if I do not get to eat, as long as my pets get to eat… My wife also gets to eat. She even eats first.)

FAST PACES AND AVERTED GAZES

Navigating struggles on the streets everyday, Kuya Boyet's days are marked with onlookers—some who extend a helping hand and others who

Even with people’s varying treatment of him, Kuya Boyet possesses a rare selflessness which shines through his efforts for his family of pets. He even takes it upon himself to adopt neglected street animals.

“ May ibang tao diyan na nakikita mga alaga ko, akala nila napapabayaan pero mahigit pa nga sa tao na inaalagaan ‘yan (There are those who see my pets and think they are neglected, but they receive more care than a person would),” he shares.

Despite the alienation that Kuya Boyet continues to face, his life of caring for his pets is one of empathy and care. Kuya Boyet’s narrative proves that street dwellers should never be defined by the harmful stigma that further pushes them to the margins.