The Good Filipino Samaritan

This one's a true story of which I had witnessed first hand. In fact, it just a while ago (I'm writing this Sept. 15, 2011). I was on my way home from school around 10PM. It was quite rainy and I was a bit frustrated because I always take the jeepney on to get home and every time I go home I face lousy, greedy jeepney drivers but this night was a different night. It made me realize that there are still "few good men" left, well at least here in Malibay, Pasay I thought there were none left; but again this night changed me. So about 40meters away from my house the jeepney I was riding, in which I was seated in front, was signaled by a lady probably around 60 or so. With her was an umbrella and their conversation went like this:

Lady: 'toy, pagbalik mo, daan ka naman dito ulit may isasakay lang akong matanda. Ihatid mo lang dun sa may simbahan (about 120meters away)."


Son, when you get back from your route, could you pass by here again? There's an elderly I need you to drop off the church (about 120meters away).

Driver: Ah sige po. Gusto niyo iatras ko nalang? Pa-garahe na kasi ako eh. Iaatras ko nalang okaya iiikot ko.


Alright. Or I could just back it up because I'm already done for the day and I'm headed to the garage. I'll just back it up or probably just maneuver.

Lady: Ah sige. Kasi malayo pa yung matanda eh, nandun pa. Sayang din yun. Isang-daan (100Php) rin yun. Ibababa mo lang sa simbahan.

Oh, but the elderly's still a few blocks away which might take a while. It's a hundred pesos (100Php) for just that trip, it'll be a let go if you don't take it.

Then the lady walks away thinking that the driver doesn't want to do it but without missing a beat, the driver who was just beside me kind of shouted

Driver: 'nay! Babalikan ko nalang po kahit wala na pong bayad!

Mam! I'll go around and I'll drop him off for free!

And that's how that Good Filipino Samaritan made my day. I didn't even ask for his name, I didn't even accord him the praise that he deserves. Well I guess it's up to the Almighty God or to whoever he believes in to bless him for that GREAT DEED.

Probably if you're a Filipino, you'll know why this act is such a commendable one. If you don't, well here's why...

These Filipino drivers are those drivers who belong to the lower class. They have quotas they should get which is probably around, 1,000Php per day, roughly 24$. So to let go of that 100Php/ roughly $2.50 is a big sacrifice.

I did the explanation because I really hope that the story of that jeepney driver goes a long long way and change hearts of many people especially FILIPINOS.

I've always had the stigma that jeepney drivers are greedy and heartless assholes who care only for the fares of the passengers and not the passengers themselves; but this night changed me. There are still few good men or maybe they're all in us, we just don't know it.