A photo of a studious boy with his toddler brother on his lap has gone viral on Facebook. The heartwarming photo of the studious boy carrying his baby brother while in the classroom was taken by Shyla Blasico, a teacher from J. Blanco Elementary School in South Cotabato. The post caption says that the boy is one of their pupils whose mother died due to ectopicpregnancy last year.

“Dahil walang mag-aalaga sa kapatid niya dinadala niya na lang ito sa klase para di maka absent,” Blasico said.  Tatlo silang magkakapatid, puro lalaki. Yung isa Grade 5,” she said in an interview with ABS-CBN.com on Friday. According to reports, the boy was identified as nine-year old Mateo Baño, a grade 3 pupil. Blasico added that Mateo and his older brother take turns in caring for their two-year old brother.

“Hindi naman makulit ang bata, nakaupo lang. Kung matutulog may divan kami, doon pinahiga ang bata. Lahat po sila pinapakain namin. May feeding program kasi every lunch sponsored by DepEd (Department of Education),” she said. Their father is currently working in Surala as a carpenter, leaving the boys alone in the house. “Minsan sa kapitbahay pinaiiwan yung bata. May tumutulong din naman,” she said adding that the children’s relatives sometimes check how the boys are doing at home. “Tinatanong ko kung sino nagluluto…yung kuya lang daw,” she said.

But the teacher’s post was a big help as since posting the photos online, he has been receiving words of encouragement from netizens as well as help from good-hearted people. “Mayroong tumawag, magpapadala ng pera. Mga 8.30 a.m., may nagpunta dito nagbigay ng pera, P500. Yung iba nagtetext,” she said. However, more than the money, the teacher is appealing for food for the family. “Wala daw silang bigas. Gusto namin food, damit at basic school needs,” she said.

She appealed to those who are still willing to help to give her a call first. She added that she and the principal are still discussing the best possible way to help out the children. “Mahirap na, baka pagisipan kami na kukunin ang pera,” she said.

In Shyla’s latest post today, she has captured some of the goods that were given to the boys with the photo of their house.

Source: Phil News PH