The story of a man known as “Kuya Jerry,” who has been roaming the streets of Pangasinan has captured public attention online, highlighting a narrative of hardship and a desperate wish to return home.
According to content creator SariwakwakTV, who found him, Jerry Arianza Mendoza is originally from Butuan City. He was recruited to work in Luzon in 2020 but was later neglected by his employer, leaving him stranded. He sent his wife and child back to Butuan but he has been left to wander, surviving with a small, hand-pushed cart.
In a heartbreaking moment, he broke down in tears when asked if he wanted to go home, explaining that the P5,500 fare was beyond his means. He assured helpers he only needed a ticket and that he is not a scammer stating, “I thought sir, this is where I’d spend the rest of my days.”
Adding to his ordeal, Jerry shared that he was once imprisoned for over a year after picking up a single piece of “snowbear” candy that fell from a store, an incident captured on CCTV. His case has sparked online discussions about justice after he said, “That became my case, Sir. I was imprisoned for something I never thought would land me in jail.”
The viral story has drawn sharp commentary from netizens, who point to the irony of a man being jailed for a single piece of candy while high-profile individuals accused of stealing billions of public funds remain free.
Photo by SariwakwakTV,
