Good Samaritan

Rose May Pimentel in Ang Pinoy Stories

Jul 04, 2020 • 3 min Read

“We don’t need to be rich to help the poor and the hungry, we just need to have a heart.” This is what a Pinoy commuter proved when he helped a jeepney-turned-taxi driver.

JM Abcede, a freelance photographer, decided to take a cab for his video shoot in Quezon City last Saturday due to the lack of public utility vehicles. He knew it will lessen his day’s earnings. He shared that he already paid Kuya Isagani Collado, the taxi driver the fare amounting to P390.00 plus additional Php60.00 because he was his first customer. Enroute, the taxi was hit by a motorcycle and the motorcycle rider was hurt and demanded that he be given medical attention. Kuya Isagani gave all the amount paid to him by JM Abcede and told the rider that it was all that he had.

“Ramdam ko kung gaano kabigat at kasakit para kay kuyang taxi driver ang ibigay ang lahat ng kinita niya mula sa akin kaya hindi ko rin naiwasang malungkot at masaktan para sa kanya,” JM shared.

Feeling sad and heartbroken, JM pulled out from his pocket his remaining money amounting to P500.00, and gave it to Kuya Isagani. That moment, he knows that the money he has was just enough for him to go to his shooting location and return home. However, he thought that Kuya Isagani needs it more.

“Blessing ka sa’kin ngayong araw,” Kuya Isagani told JM, thanking him with tears of joy.

“Bagama’t alam ko sa sarili kong wala nang laman ang wallet ko noong umagang iyon, tiwala na ako na may darating (dahil raket naman ang pinuntahan ko) kaya hindi ako nangamba. Inisip ko na lang na sa ganoong paraan ay nakatulong din ako sa buhay ni kuya. At isa pa, dalawang araw din noong araw na ‘yun ay kaarawan ko na, kaya inisip ko na lang na ito na ang regalo ko sa sarili ko. Nalaman ko kasi ang istorya ng buhay niya dahil ininterview ko siya habang nasa biyahe kami. Masakit at mabigat kaya naiintindihan ko kung gaano niya kailangan ang pera,” JM shared in his Facebook post.

Kuya Isagani, 45 years old, was a jeepney driver before the pandemic.  Because of the suspension of public transportation, he was forced to drive a taxi instead. He currently stays at her aunt in Quezon City. His wife and children are in Nueva Ecija.  Driving a taxi is new to him.  When he was a jeepney driver, he would earn as much as P1000.00 per day, higher than his income from the taxi that is around Php600.00

“Mas okay pa nga ‘yung bumagyo kasi ‘pagtapos ng bagyo, makakapag-hanapbuhay ka ulit eh. Pero ito, mahirap. Hindi mo alam kung kailan ulit magiging okay ang lahat,” Kuya Isagani told JM.

JM, a good Samaritan, is indeed a blessing to others. God bless you even more!

Let us be kind. “We cannot do all the good that the world needs but the world needs all the good that we can do.”

Photo Source: FB of Mr. JM Abcede