He had the unseeing stare of an old man who died with his eyes wide open, his body already stiff and cold when residents found him Sunday morning in Barangay San Jose in Bagong Silang, Navotas City.

City police chief P/Col. Dexter Ollaging said yesterday that the man was known only in the neighborhood as "Dodong," one who slept on the streets, good weather or rains alike.

On Saturday morning it rained hard; on Sunday morning, "Dodong" had a damp blanket over him as he slumped on the pavement, bearing coins, mainly 25 centavos totaling less than P10.

The police surmised he died from the cold as he was still alive the night before, just bones and skin underneath tattered clothing.

Forensic investigators said no external physical injuries were observed and possible foul play had been ruled out.

The police were still establishing the man's identity at press time to be able to inform his family of his passing.