After recent reports of a Filipino janitor named Ronald Gadayan who returned an amount of money to a local businessman another Filipino made headlines as he was able to returned a money from a French tourist.
A Luneta coachman (kutsero) named Jaime Cabillo Mayor returned a huge amount of money to a French tourist. The ordinary Filipino worker in Luneta found the wallet of one of his p(–foul word(s) removed–)enger.
Jaime Cabillo Mayor stated that he found the wallet of his French customer that was left behind after he made a tour with the French tourist. The wallet contained at least 40 pieces of €100 bills which was estimated to be worth more than Php 272,000.
Although Jaime saw the huge amount of money as a rare opportunity for him to escape poverty but he was not tempted to take the money but instead he returned it to the rightful owner.
Jaime Cabillo Mayor was just an ordinary coachman who worked in a commission-basis with a salary worth of P200 to P500 daily.
He was the bread winner of his family with a total of four children but according to Jaime, no matter how much money he has found he valued most is his dignity as a worker.
The kind of honesty that Jaime Cabillo Mayor have displayed was not only for his own pride but it is the pride of the the entire Filipino nation.
Jaime Mayor
…honest kutsero of Luneta
By Apolinario B Villalobos
At dawn, from his humble home in Caloocan
He diligently pedals his way to Luneta
The same he does when he goes home at night
But all these he does with unpretentious delight.
In Luneta, for years, he worked as kutsero
Guiding his tame horse, he fondly calls Rapido
Both of them braving the rain and searing sun
Even pangs of hunger as best as they can.
A typical Filipino, this guy – Jaime Mayor
For earning honestly, he could not ask for more
With perpetual smile on his sun-burned face
He and Rapido, in Luneta, strollers can’t miss.
One day, his honesty was put to a test
When a purse was left behind by a tourist
Whom he pursued just before she was gone
And who was amazed by such an honest man.
Tightly he was hugged and praised to heavens
In a language that sounded strange to him
But just the same, these he took in stride
Though, his appreciation, he could not hide.
He said, he is proud to be a Filipino
And proud that he lives in a beautiful country
His modest knowledge of English, then…
Is always ended with –
“It’s more fun to be in the Philippines”!
Thank you so much Apolinario Villalobos for the words of encouragement.
Ronald Gadayan
…Gem of Honesty
By Apolinario B. Villalobos
For someone in need of money,
To earn by dint of hard work
Should be the chosen way,
But those who find it not easy
To be diligent in all they do,
Find it hard to firmly say “no”.
In the world we have today,
Seldom can there be found
Those with heart that still beat
With love, good morals and ethics,
But not a certain Ronald Gadayan –
Many times proven – an honest man !
Labored to earn since age seventeen,
All that Ronald wanted, then
Was help his mother honestly earn,
For he saw her sacrifice for all their sake,
From morn till night – a sight
That until now, he can’t forget.
Waking up, to God, he fervently prays
To give him strength and he, be safe
Also his wife, his kids, the three of them
Be well, healthy and from danger spared,
Simple prayer from Ronald’s heart –
With all sincerity, and humbly said.
(Ronald Gadayan is an employee of Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), (removed)igned at the Terminal 2 as building attendant. He found a bag containing Php600,000, cash, an expensive watch, cellphone and jewelries on September 5, 2012 at the south wing departure area which he turned over to his superiors. Despite his meager earning that gives him less than Php10,000 a month, he was not tempted to keep what he found. He has three kids, ages nine, six and two years. The two elder children both go to school. His wife is jobless. At 28, he espouses honest living deeply embedded in his heart by his mother who brought him and his siblings, alone as a single parent.)
Another useful comment and a strong words of encouragement. Proud of being a Filipino. Thanks a lot Mr. Villalobos.