WONDER BOY. Daniel studies in deep concentration along one of the
sidewalks in Cebu City. Photo from
Joyce Torrefranca's Facebook account
(UPDATED) Under the lights of a nearby fast food restaurant, the young
boy diligently works on his homework
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – A photo of a child studying outside a
fast food restaurant is currently making its rounds on social media.
Nine-year-old Daniel Cabrera was
pictured while sitting on his legs, a look of concentration on his face as he
writes on an open book. He was using a wooden bench as a makeshift table along
the sidewalk beside a Mcdonald's branch in theMandaue
Reclamation Area.
Joyce Torrefranca took Daniel's picture
on Tuesday night, June 23, and posted it oTorrefranca is a student at Cebu
Doctors' University. She said Daniel inspired her to study harder as she
prepares for an exam.
"As a student, it gave me an inspiration to work harder. I'm
fortunate my parents were able to send me to school. I seldom go to coffee
shops to study, but this kid just hit me. You really don't need much, you just
have to be determined and focused on the things that you want to achieve,"
Torrefranca told Rappler.
"I hope that this kid will inspire
millions of people," she said.
. “I was able to talk to this kid moments after Joyce took this
snapshot,” commented Giomen Probert Ladra Alayon on Torrefranca’s post.
“Nagstudy siya ug English. More
like a homework: identify the animal illustrated," according
to Alayon, who was with Torrefranca when she took the picture. (He is studying
English. It’s more of like a homework: identify the animal illustrated.)
In a telephone interview, Mcdonald's Mandaue Reclamation Area restaurant manager Iris Prak said that
Daniel, his mother, and his 7-year-old brother Gabriel usually stay outside
Mcdonald's to beg from passers-by.
The brothers do their homework there
after school because they do not have electricity at home. Prak said that
sometimes, the boys' mother works at a nearby food stall, where the family of 3
usually sleeps at night.
"Normally, nanghihingi sila ng
water, so binibigyan po namin sila (Normally they ask for water, so we
give them water)," shared Prak, adding that the Cabreras are free to hang
around the restaurant.
She added: "Gusto kasi ni Daniel ng toys. Sabi
ko sa kanya na if ever na makapagbigay siya ng paper na merong star, bibigyan
namin siya ng toy, pati 'yung kapatid niya."
(Daniel wants to get a toy. I told him that if he will be able to show
us a paper with a star, we'll give him and his brother toys.)
Mcdonald's Philippines public relations
and communications manager Adi Timbol said she is happy with the branch staff's
reception of the family.
"I felt happy and proud of the
store [because] they do what they can to be of assistance to the child even in
a little way," she told Rappler through a phone interview.
'Keep it up kid'
Alayon said that the kid’s perseverance
in studying makes the photos a source of inspiration.
“Despite the lack of personal space or
inadequate lighting, he still chose to study,” he said.
“Keep it up kid! Mabuhay!”
Another Facebook user, Norman Hams
Hicban, posted Torrefranca’s photo on his Facebook account on Wednesday, June 24. It has since
garnered more than 29,600 likes and 7,500 shares.
Several social media users praised the
young boy.
"The kid will have a very bright future....with
so much willing to help. He will be amazing for sure!! God bless him!"
said Dotti Manalo Libiran.
"I see a good leader in progress. Keep it up
kid!" commented Cecil Benavente.
