While most aspiring creators make use of various digital platforms to promote their channels, 52-year-old Gimmy Panis Conos, known online as Tatay Gimmy, touched the hearts of many after being spotted by a netizen giving free taho (soy pudding) to encourage people to subscribe to his channel after seeing the potential of YouTube to help in his daily and medical expenses.
His story went viral after being re-shared by 20 year-old Mary Christine Amoguis. The post built awareness to Tatay Gimmy’s channel which gained more than 280,000 subscribers.
However, shortly after the channel started to gain subscribers, Tatay Gimmy lost his mobile phone and he can no longer remember his channel login credentials. With the help of Mary, his new channel is now up and they are hoping netizens could once again come together to boost Tatay Gimmy’s subscriber count.
Tatay Gimmy moved from Tacloban City, Leyte to Manila to look for better employment opportunities. When age and illness caught up with him, he started selling taho for a living despite having diabetes and rheumatism. Even before having a YouTube channel and giving away free taho in exchange for subscribing to it, he has been giving them to street children before going home after a whole day of selling.
He shared, “I noticed that there were so many people affected by the pandemic and thought about how to help. I also needed to go home before the curfew so I decided to give my taho for free.”
Mary Amoguis, an accounting student from General Santos City, South Cotabato, has a habit of sharing and reposting online calls for donations. After being touched by Tatay Gimmy’s story, Mary posted his photo which was retweeted by influencers and celebrities including TV variety show host and social media sensation Maine Mendoza.
Caring for others isn’t something new for Mary who has been helping people offline. On random visits to convenience stores, she gives food to the homeless and has even bought and distributed face masks to strangers.
Tatay Gimmy is wishing that it would soon be safe to go back to the streets, not just to sell taho, but also to look for more opportunities to share. As he hopes for the pandemic to end and works for his recovery, he takes comfort in the fact that we all can contribute to making the world a better place with one post, one share, and one good deed at a time.
You may also help out by simply promoting and subscribing to Tatay Gimmy’s new YouTube channel.
