Loyal Dog Protects Street Child In Manila

[Honoria]

Loyal Dog Protects Street Child In Manila By Sleeping In His Arms

Rommel Quemenales is an 11-year-old boy who begs for money on the streets of Manila, as many other children do in this particular area. Over the weekend, a photo of him sleeping, hugging his dog in his arms went viral and people responded, desperate to know more about him. A media outlet, Coconuts, went looking for him and interviewed him to find out his story. His parents both abandoned him when he was young, so he is mostly responsible for his own care. When he saves enough money, he takes a bus to sleep at his sister's house, but he is ultimately saving up to return to school.



Badgi is his dog, who he met also wandering the streets a little over a month ago. The two have become inseparable and Badgi keeps him safe. Rommel says that when Badgi sleeps in his arms, he will wake up to bark at anyone that tries to take their money and protects him from bullies. From the video footage, it appears that Badgi couldn't be happier to have companionship. When Rommel goes to his sister's house, he sneaks Badgi onto to the bus so that he can also go. Rommel loves animals and even though becoming an actor is his first dream, he also thinks he'd like to become a veterinarian so he can help other animals.



Since his story went viral, members of the community responded and many of them went to where he was sleeping to provide assistance. Coconuts was able to report that Rommel and Badgi are back at his sister's house, and Rommel has been able to start school once again thanks to the generosity of many. Watch his interview here.