Touching story about 'manlalako' being treated to his first milk tea goes viral

MANILA -- There's no denying the popularity of milk tea in the Philippines. A lot Filipinos are in love with this cool, sweet drink often paired with chewy tapioca pearls that sink to the bottom.

But it goes without saying that not everyone has tried it. The reality is that its price is out of reach for many.

Esteban Cerujano, a 68-year-old who sells various plasticware he carries around in a rundown wooden cart, is one of those people.

In his own words, "pangmayaman iyan."

On Monday, Cerujano became the subject of an inspiring Facebook post about how he was treated to milk tea by strangers.

The story began with Cerujano stopping to take a rest in front of a small milk tea shop in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.

The owners -- Win Villafuerte and Julio Mallari -- quickly noticed their curious visitor and asked if he likes milk tea. That's when Cerujano, oblivious to the fact that they were the ones who run the place, told them that only rich people can afford these drinks.

To cut the story short, a lot of people were touched by Villafuerte and Mallari's decision to buy Cerujano a drink for free, and the subsequent offer of the old man to trade one of his wares for it.

"Kung sino pa 'yung mga walang-wala, sila pa 'yung mas marunong magbigay," wrote Villafuerte and Mallari in their viral post, upped on their shop's Facebook page Cabin Brew Milk Tea.

They then encouraged people to buy from Cerujano when they come across him, as "nagtratrabaho siya nang marangal."

"Let's support these kind of hard-working people, they deserve more than a cup of milk tea," they added.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Villafuerte and Mallari shared that Cerujano went back the next day after they had made their post to give them both a gift.

Cerujano was grateful that a lot of people bought from him after they had recognized him from their post, the two shared.

The owners also said that many have reached out to them offering help for Cerujano.

They denied that their post was just a marketing ploy, and said that they only wanted to "inspire others to be grateful despite all [the] adversities we are facing."