DR. Elvira Barcelo, a former school principal who now scavenges for scrap to survive, lost her entire pension and savings to a scammer, according to her former student who first shared her story on social media.
“Patay na rin po lahat ng kapatid niya kaya talagang nag-iisa na lang po siya,” Facebook user Clarisse said in an interview.
“May mga malalayong kamag-anak naman po si Ma’am Barcelo pero baka po may kanya-kanya din silang burden sa buhay,” she added.
Clarisse said several alumni and concerned netizens have since come forward to help Dr. Barcelo following her now-viral story.
Barcelo, now 81, was seen by Clarisse collecting used cardboard boxes on the street, a stark contrast to her former image as a well-groomed and confident school head.
Despite the hardship, Barcelo reportedly told her, “Work is work. If it’s honest, there’s dignity in it.”
