If you see this missing bear in the west end please email [email protected]
It was in a herschel back pack when stolen along with an iPad.
Mara, the owner says it has her mom’s voice inside saying, ‘I love you I’m proud of you, I’ll always be with you. Her mom died last year pic.twitter.com/ipfrzqKXsf— Deborah Goble (@CBCDeborahGoble) July 25, 2020
When a Vancouver-based woman named Mara Soriano was moving apartments earlier this month, her bag full of valuables was unfortunately stolen. Her iPad and Nintendo Switch were inside, but the most important item in the bag wasn’t of monetary value. The bag also contained a very special Build-a-Bear containing a voice box with a recorded message from her mom, Marilyn Soriano, who died of cancer in June 2019, at the age of 53.
The teddy bear’s message was recorded by Marilyn shortly before she moved into a hospice. “At the hospice her voice was different. Much softer. Not the mum I grew up with,” reveals Mara. “That bear is the last memory I have of her speaking in her normal voice.” Mara was born in the Philippines and moved to Toronto when she was nine, so her mom’s message was recorded in Filipino. Mara explains, “It says ‘I love you,’ but in our language. So it's very specific and very unique.”
Understandably, Mara was desperate to get the irreplaceable bear back, and began searching the entire city. There was even a #FindMarasBear hashtag started on social media, and countless people got involved in the search—including actor Ryan Reynolds. He offered a cash reward to anyone who helped find Mara's teddy bear. “Vancouver: $5,000 to anyone who returns this bear to Mara. Zero questions asked,” the actor wrote on Twitter. “I think we all need this bear to come home.”
Amazingly, the bribe worked! After taking it from the original thief, two men brought the bear to the CBC lobby, where Maya and reporter Deborah Goble (who was also helping search for the bear) were waiting. Now safely back in Maya’s arms, the delighted woman tweeted, “MAMABEAR IS HOME!!” Reynolds also announced the good news on Twitter: “Thank you everyone who searched high and low. To the person who took the bear, thanks for keeping it safe. Vancouver is awesome. #FoundMarasBear.”
When Mara Soriano was moving apartments, her irreplaceable teddy bear with a recorded message from her late mother was unfortunately stolen.
To most people, it looks like an ordinary teddy bear.
But to Mara Soriano (@drawmaradraw), it's no ordinary toy.
She spoke to @CBCDeborahGoble about her search for the stolen memento, which contains a final message from Soriano's mom who died of cancer last year: pic.twitter.com/XxakEqAckp
— CBC British Columbia (@cbcnewsbc) July 28, 2020
When actor Ryan Reynolds heard the news, he decided to help by offering a cash reward.
Vancouver: $5,000 to anyone who returns this bear to Mara. Zero questions asked. I think we all need this bear to come home. https://t.co/L4teoxoY50
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) July 25, 2020
It worked! After taking it from the original thief, two men brought the bear back to safety.
BREAK OUT THE @AviationGin, @VancityReynolds!!! MAMABEAR IS HOME!!! #FOUNDMARASBEAR pic.twitter.com/9yxTsiKWYd
— mara soriano | MAMABEAR IS HOME! (@drawmaradraw) July 29, 2020
VIDEO: @drawmaradraw has been reunited with her teddy bear that contains her late mother’s voice. Says two good samaritans returned the bear Tuesday night after taking it from the original thief. @cbcnewsbc @CBCAlerts @CBCDeborahGoble @VancityReynolds #FOUNDMARASBEAR pic.twitter.com/G2UCiPaCRG
— Dan Burritt (@DanBurritt) July 29, 2020
In happier news… thank you everyone who searched high and low. To the person who took the bear, thanks for keeping it safe. Vancouver is awesome. #FoundMarasBear https://t.co/X7FlyiR89P
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) July 29, 2020
Ryan Reynolds: Instagram | Twitter
h/t: [LADbible]
All images via Mara Soriano.
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