We’ve shared countless articles about drivers giving away free rides, returning valuable items, and a lot more. But this story is by far, the most touching one – at least for me.
I love Grab because some of its drivers are courteous and respectful. That’s why when a friend shared with me this uplifting story, I immediately read it and thought I’d share it with you.
It’s a story about how genuine and generous this driver who gave her sister a “free ride” to the hospital. According to Divine Lactao Ornum, her sister, Prima was Diabetic and undergoing dialysis.
As described by the people in the Facebook thread where the photo was shared, Kuya Gerardo is indeed an “angel in disguise.”
As written in her caption, Divine said that her mom called her up and asked her to book a Grab for her sister. Divine’s sister needed to go to Quezon City to pick up a bag or two of blood for her dialysis. Luckily, Gerardo was already in the area in less than a minute.
August 18,2016 – tumawag sakin ang nanay ko, i book ko daw ng grabcar ang kapatid ko kasi kailangan pumunta nang ospital sa QC (from Pasay kami) kasi kailangangkunin nang kapatid ko yung blood na i transfer sa kanya para sa dialysis nya. ala pang isang minuto ng advise na si Kuya Gerardo na nasa pick up point na sya, kaya tinawagan ko sister ko na naghihintay na sa kanila ang sasakyan….
After an hour or so, her sister called Divine.
Pagkalipas nang isang oras na mahigit, ng txt kapatid ko, tawagan ko daw sya,.pagtawag ko naiyak sya… sabi ko asan na ba kayo? Bakit ka umiiyak? sabi nya ” Nandito na kami sa ospital ate, bakit ganon yung driver hinde kami pinag bayad, sabi ko kuya tanggapin nyo po bayad ko, ayaw talaga te, sabi nya ok na daw” …. ako bigla speechless, tapos tiningnan ko booking ko hinde naman card ang gamit ko, kaya sabi ko sa kanya baka naawa sayo si kuya…
Surprised and speechless, Divine immediately checked the history of the booking to confirm if she paid using a Credit Card or not. Divine thought, Kuya Gerardo might have felt bad for her sister so he gave her a free ride. Overwhelmed with happiness, her sister said in vernacular:
May mga tao pa palang ganon ate. Ang traffic pa naman mahigit 1 oras byahe naming, tapos di niya ako pinagbayad.
Meantime, I called the driver to further ask questions about his gesture. The call was quick yet concise as he was waiting for the passenger. I asked Gerardo, what made him decline the payment? And he replied:
Natuwa po kasi ako sa kanya. Mukha na po kasi siyang mahina, pero kumakanta kanta pa rin po siya. Kahit mahina nadidinig ko pa rin po.
Sadly, Divine’s sister passed away last August 22nd due to complications of Diabetes.
Prima was grateful for your kindness, Gerardo. That even at her last moments on earth, you made her happy and believed that kindness is everywhere. That kindness is possible.
Divine also shared with me through an online interview that Prima’s ultimate wish was to “fix her daughter’s eyes.”
Prima and her daughter. (Photos were provided by Divine for this article)
According to Divine, her niece is being bullied at school because of her eyes.
actually ang pangarap nang kapatid ko ma operahan mata nang anak nya, may pagka cross eyes po kasi kaya madalas na bubully sa school kaya naawa sya, wala naman po work sister ko since pwd na sya ang husband nya nag aalaga sa kanya, yung mother ko po ang tumutulong sa kanila, sa pamamagitan nang pagtitinda nang gulay sa palengke,syempre po konting tulong din sa aming mgkakapatid.
In this world full of egos and ambiguity, a random act of kindness will surely make a difference.
“Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” -Scott Adams
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