MANILA -- Daniel Cabrera, the young boy seen in a viral photo studying along a sidewalk in Cebu, said he is studying hard to be a cop.
In an interview on dzMM, Cabrera explained why he wants to be a policeman.
"Gusto ko maging pulis para makatulong sa Pilipinas," he said, adding that it was his late father who told him to be a policeman.
Cabrera's mother, Ma. Christina Espinosa, works in an eatery, where she lives together with her three children.
"Doon ako nagtatrabaho [sa carinderia]. Sabi noong may may-ari, doon na rin kami matulog," Esipinosa said.
She earns P80 a day for her job, an amount that barely covers all their expenses.
Because of this, Cabrera, who is a diligent student, often goes to school without any food or allowance.
After his photo went viral on the Internet, help started pouring in for Cabrera and his family.
The local policemen of Mandaue City also pitched in to give the family some cash and groceries.
Cabrera also received a scholarship grant from the Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement & Support (ACT-CIS) party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao.
Espinosa will also receive some financial capital to start her own business, with the help of sponsors.