By: Iyo_Embong

While I was studying in high school I use to watch this old man in the City for many months, with dirty turned out clothes he mostly wear. I use to pay a lot of attention on people’s faces as each one of them looked at him with scorn.

He did not hold a sign up, on the corner where he stood begging for food or money, like others like him would. He is also an alcoholic and I found out later that people use to call him ‘POWER’ as his nickname.

And each day that I’d see him I’d glimpse into his eyes.  Often he’d catch my gaze and he’ll just look away, and I’d often wonder why. I began to think to myself, what life he’d lived before he became a beggar not as this man I’m seeing, was he rich or just one of the underprivileged poor? Later on I found out that he use to work at the office of Visayan Electric Company and he use to hold a prominent position there. Someone also told me that he has graduated from school with honours.

One day I noticed he wasn’t there, that corner, his familiar place. I promised that if I ever saw him again I would like to speak to him face to face if I could, to know him better.

As days went by I nearly forgotten this man. ‘This man must have seen so much hatred, so much disgrace from other people who would be putting him down’…I thought. “He must have been just another beggar, maybe he’s gone to another corner or other area where he could get more money”…I said because I cannot locate him.

One day I walked past his spot, on my way to meet a friend and I saw him right in front of me.  I swore that this day I’d spend time to know him more.

“Sir, I vowed I’d talk to you, if ever I saw you here again. I would like to ask you to know what your life had been, throughout your many years.”

“Son”, he said, “I know you; I’ve seen your face before. I’m not a bum or beggar as you probably think like most people do, I’M RICH AND NOT POOR.”

“If rich why do you dress this way, can you explain this to me? The rich own cars and have big homes; they do not stand on the street begging.”

He reached into his pocket, and showed me a picture of His wife who’d died one year ago, the one he dearly loved.

“It matters not how big the home, I have everything I need. What matters most in life my son IS THAT WHICH WE CAN’T SEE.”

By: Iyo_Embong