SANTA CRUZ, Manila — Two grandmothers were given recognition and feted as worthy of emulation when the 'Dear SV' program of Manila mayoral aspirant Sam 'SV' Verzosa reached out to them in their shanty at the Manila North Cemetery where they had lived most of their lives.

According to Verzosa, he hopes that his unique way of reaching out to the needy, especially those forgotten residents of the city of Manila, would inspire generosity as he shared the story of the two elderly mothers who have lived a life of compassion and resilience.

Dear SV, he explained, is a program dedicated to helping communities in need, and in its recent visit to the cemetery, Verzosa was able to reconnect with two inspiring grandmothers, Nanay Ligaya and Nanay Lilian, who have been tirelessly caring for their families and the graves of loved ones.

In meeting with the two grandmothers, the actor-turned-politico discovered the unique struggles of the two grandmoms, who, despite the difficult conditions, found ways to support their families and community—living in modest structures among the graves where they faced the daily hardships of urban life, including limited access to basic utilities.

Despite extreme poverty, both women eked out a painful existence by dedicating themselves to improving the lives of their children as well as other kids living within the cemetery. Nanay Lilian, a para-teacher, organizes educational programs for them, while Nanay Ligaya assists as a caretaker, managing family needs on a very limited income.

Verzosa, was moved by their stories and fulfilled a previous promise to return with meaningful gifts. As part of his television show’s mission, he provided the grandmothers with a SioMaynila food cart franchise, offering them a sustainable source of income. This small business grant aims to support their families, help them achieve self-sufficiency, and ultimately improve their quality of life.

The mayoral aspirant likewise delivered groceries, school supplies and cleaning materials to aid in their daily activities, thereby demonstrating how the power of kindness and community support could shed light on the hidden lives of those in unexpected places.

"This act of giving reminds us of the importance of helping those around us and recognizing the resilience of individuals like Nanay Ligaya and Nanay Lilian, whose dedication and compassion inspire us all," Verzosa pointed out.

In ending, he stressed the need for those in position of power and influence the importance of having compassion rather than ambition.

"May kasabihan nga, mas mabuti pang mag-alay ng bulaklak sa buhay kaysa sa patay—dahil ang mga buhay, mararamdaman pa ang kalingang kaya mong ibigay at maririnig pa ang mga salita ng pagmamahal na nais mong ibulong kaya’t habang may pagkakataon pa, ipakita natin ang malasakit lalo na sa kanilang mga nabubuhay sa piling ng mga namaya pa,” Verzosa concluded.