Since his parents divorced when he was very young, 11-year-old Rommel Quemenales from Quezon City, Philippines, has been living apart from them.
He has an older sister who lives in another city, but due to a lack of funds, he has been forced to live on the streets since the second grade, unable to join her. Rommel, despite being abandoned and having to leave school early, always dreamed of returning to his studies.
His story touched hearts worldwide after photos of Rommel and his dog went viral on social media. The images were captured by Maria Kabs, who spotted the boy and his dog walking through the streets and was so moved that she shared their pictures on her Facebook page.
An article first published in 2018 quickly gained attention as a photo of Rommel asleep with his dog in his arms spread online. Amidst hardship, Rommel found comfort in Badgi, a stray dog who became his loyal companion. The two have been inseparable ever since, helping each other survive the streets.
Badgi always protected Rommel from other street children, and in return, Rommel shared his food with his best friend whenever he could. Each night, the two friends would sleep beside each other, finding comfort in their bond after a long day.
The unfortunate circumstances that brought these two together gave them hope and rightened their lives. Rommel, like Badgi, doesn’t fear loneliness or bullying. The dog never cared whether his friend was wealthy or homeless; love was enough for him.
Thanks to the efforts of many people and the widespread sharing of Maria’s post, Rommel is now back in school, building a brighter future with his faithful dog by his side. Despite everything he’s been through, Rommel is full of love, dreams, and happiness, cherishing the close bond he shares with his beloved dog.
