He can also tell you, if you ask, the scientific name of any plant—without missing a beat.
A photo of him by Debei Cargando, a student at University of the Philippines-Manila, has started going around on Facebook.
Decades ago, Manong Alfredo graduated from the University of the East with an Education degree. However, he was unable to realize his dream of teaching.
“Disillusionment got to him,” says John Punzalan, who teaches Political Economy and Culture at UP Manila. Punzalan once interviewed Manong Alfredo for a collection of prose about Padre Faura dwellers.
Apart from reciting the scientific names of plants, Manong Alfredo can recite poems in Spanish and possesses a large English vocabulary.
Although Manong Alfredo passed the teachers' board exam in 1992 as well as the civil service exam, it remains a puzzle how he acquired his special knowledge of plants and language.
Some who know him call him a genius.
“Pamoso na ‘yan dito. Kahit mga estudyante ng UP, humahanga sa kanya. Sabi nila 'yung genius na basurero,'”
(Even the Students of UP was amazed at him. They always call him a 'Genius Garbage Man') - They say Punzalan told GMA News Online in a phone interview.
“Iba rin ang estilo nung matanda sa pagkolekta ng basura, bibili siya ng dyaryo at ipapabasa niya sa mga security guard para payagan siya na kunin yung mga basura at water bottle,”
(His style of collecting garbage is unique, he will buy newspaper for the security guards to allow him to collect the garbage and water bottle) - he noted.
Though Manong Alfredo collects garbage in the Malate-Ermita area, he resides in Sta. Ana, Manila.
However, the mental health condition of the scavenger is uncertain. “May mga sintomas siya ng naiwanan ng bait. Minsan napaka-hyper niya. Hindi naman siya nananakit, mabait naman pero walang pag-aalaga sa sarili at sa personal hygiene niya,”
(He has symptoms that has been left for good. Sometimes he is very hyper. He doesn't hurt anybody, he's good but sometimes he doesn't take care of himself and his personal hygiene.) said Punzalan.
Humble beginnings
According to UP Manila history professor Benjie Mangubat, Manong Alfredo started out as a janitor in an elementary school. He put himself through college.
Just when things seemed to be looking up, Manong Alfredo was rejected for the position of schoolteacher in the same elementary school he used to clean. Mangubat noted that Manong Alfredo was unaware of his pending theft charge at the school.
Manong Alfredo applied to the same institution for five years—but to no avail. He summarily gave up and contented himself with collecting and selling scrap, junk, and recyclables. The bachelor lives with a relative.
Mangubat was about to interview Manong Alfredo when Cargando took the photo. The history professor plans to write the life story of Manuel for a competition. If luck is on their side, the prize--a house and lot--will be given to the scavenger.
“Parang ang unfair ng society. Educator siya pero nangangalakal siya ng basura. Siguro nga disorganized siya, pero nakakapanghinayang pa rin,”
(Society is unfair in away. He is an educator but he scavenges in the dump. I guess he really is Disorganized but it's also saddening.) Mangubat told GMA News Online in a phone interview.
“Gusto talaga niyang magturo. Tuwang-tuwa ‘yan ‘pag may kumakausap sa kanya. Kakausapin ka pa niyan in English… ako nga'y teacher, pero may mga alam siya na hindi ko alam,”
(He really does love to teach. He's really happy when people talk to him. He'll even speak to you in english. I am also a teacher as well, but he knows more things I don't know myself.) he added.
Source: GMA News
Cool~
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