Social media personality, entrepreneur, and Manila councilor candidate Rosemarie Tan-Pamulaklakin, more widely known as “Rosmar Tan,” revealed that she had a video call with the viral “sampaguita girl” who was confronted by a security guard at a well-known mall. The incident led to the security guard’s dismissal due to the alleged harsh way the child was treated.
In her Facebook post on Thursday, January 16, Rosmar shared that she had reached out to the child’s family and spoke with her via video call on Messenger. She provided the child with 10,000 pesos and suggested that she consider starting a business, such as selling “ihaw-ihaw” (grilled street food) in front of their house, instead of selling sampaguita in malls.
“Para sa Sampaguita girl mag aral ka mabuti at tapusin ang pag aaral. Wag ka na magtinda ng sampaguita sa mga bawal na lugar para walang problema,” Rosmar said.
“Mag simula ka nalang mag business sa Labas ng bahay nyo tulad ng ihaw ihaw… 😩🤤😍”
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Rosemarie Tan-Pamulaklakin
In a separate Facebook post, Rosmar asserted and provided screenshots of her conversation with the sampaguita girl, whom she identified as “Jenny.” Rosmar revealed that Jenny is a first-year Medical Technology student.
She also clarified that Jenny is genuinely a student and is not the same person featured in the viral video of a woman pretending to be a student while selling sampaguita in malls and on the streets to solicit money.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Rosemarie Tan-Pamulaklakin
Later on, the Mandaluyong City Police revealed that the 18-year-old sampaguita vendor in school uniform is a real and legit student from Baesa, Quezon City, working to support herself financially.
The police investigation confirmed that the vendor is a legitimate student at a private school and not associated with any syndicate, dispelling the rumors that had been circulating online.
Following the video’s widespread circulation, the Philippine National Police-Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (PNP-SOSIA) initiated a motu proprio investigation.
In a media interview, Police Col. Mary Grace Madayag, chief of Mandaluyong City Police, revealed that the vendor has been selling sampaguita to support herself, particularly after her family’s home was recently demolished. The police described her as “intelligent,” a statement corroborated by the local barangay officials they consulted.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also announced that they would provide psychosocial assistance to the student. DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao mentioned that they have been instructed to visit the student and her parents.
Additionally, they plan to speak with the security guard involved to address his treatment of the children.