When In Manila, we all know how making money can be very difficult. Though some have found a way to get out of the rat race, many are still stuck in it. Oftentimes, you’d hear people say how having just one job is no longer enough, especially if you have a family to raise. Late last year, the story of a traffic enforcer selling kakanin to motorists for extra income went viral. Last week, we heard another story of hard work and dedication by a taxi driver in Manila.
Charis Dayao was on her way to the mall with her daughter. They hailed a cab along Arnaiz Street, and that’s where they met Mang Belarmino Sison. So what’s so special about him? Oh.. nothing much.. he just has a mini sari-sari store in his cab! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!Â
Charis shares the following story,
“Nakaktuwa sumakay kay Mang Bel. Pagsakay namin sa kanya, nagalok agad ng paninda nya (parang ako lang ah!). Napabili tuloy ako. Parang nakakahiyang hindi bumili kay manong. Mineral lang sana bibilin ko pero naubusan daw siya ng stock. Bibili daw muna siya sa Hypermarket kasi yun din daw agad hinahanap ng mga pasahero nya. Nakakaaliw sumakay sa katuad nya. Super madiskarte. Salute to you Manong Bel. Nawa’y araw araw maubos paninda nyo. God bless!”
Rough English Translation:
It was so much fun to get a ride from Mang Bel. As soon as we got in his cab, he immediately offered us his goods (reminds me of myself!) I ended up buying as I felt ashamed not to buy anything. I was just supposed to purchase some mineral water but he said he was out of stock. He needs to buy more in Hypermarket as this is usually the first thing passengers ask from him. It was so much fun and comforting to get a ride from someone like him. He has a good approach. Salute to you Manong Bel. I pray your stocks get sold out every day. God bless!
Mang Belarmino resides somewhere in Taguig and has his own sari-sari store there. To help sell them, he takes them along in his cab. Charis also shares that he is around 70 years old and supports a family. She was not able to ask how many kids he had as she was too amused with his mini business.
We all know life can be difficult. Problems arise every day, however, what matters is not the fall but how you get up and deal with it. We at WhenInManila.com truly admire men like Mang Bel who work hard to earn a living, finding good and honest ways to make a little extra to support himself and his family!
Have you ever ridden with Mang Bel? What do you think of his sari-sari store?
