A jeepney driver reminisced about the assistance he received from a student during the peak of the pandemic.
In a Facebook post by student Eddniel Patrick Ilagan Papa, netizens were moved by the student’s encounter with the jeepney driver while on his way to school.
“Kanina habang nagrereview ako sa jeep para sa aking exam sa isang major course ay nag-abot ako ng bayad. Hindi tinanggap ni manong driver,” he said.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Eddniel Patrick Ilagan Papa
Eddniel was taken aback when the jeepney driver refused to accept the fare he offered.
When asked why he wouldn’t accept the payment, the driver explained that he recognized Eddniel, who had helped him during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The driver shared that because of Eddniel’s assistance, he and his family were able to put food on the table when many Filipinos lost their jobs due to the virus’s spread.
“Hindi ba ikaw yung nasa pantry noon sa simbahan? Noong kasagsagan ng COVID? Libre na pamasahe mo. Dahil sa inyo nagkabigas at ulam kami noon,” the driver said.
“May kulay pa ang buhok ko at payat pa ko noon. Nakakatuwa na naalala niya ako dahil sa boses ko raw noong sumisigaw ako,” Eddniel said happily.
“Hindi ako makapaniwala na tanda niya pa yon. Magta-tatlong taon na ang nakalilipas pero hindi talaga nakalilimot ang masa,” he added.
Eddniel shared that this was the second time he had encountered someone he had previously assisted at the community pantry.
“Tanda ko, nagtayo lang kami noon ng isang sirang lamesa sa pagbabakasakali na madagdagan ang bigas at de lata na dala namin noon nina Erven, Andrei at Alex. Ang mga ganitong interaksyon ang patuloy na nagpapaniwala sa akin na palaging may pag-asa at nagbibigay lakas,” he said.
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Eddniel Patrick Ilagan Papa
Meanwhile, many people were moved and praised the story shared by Eddniel.
Kudos to you, Eddniel!