According to Lopez:
Meet Mr. Eugenio Ventura, 63 years old, a taxi driver. I hailed him at the LRT Roosevelt Station to go to Mother Ignacia Ave. Sabi niya “Sir pasok lang. Hindi ako namimili ng pasahero. Kahit saan kayo pupunta, ihahatid ko kayo.”
I thought he was just trying hard to be nice. But I was wrong. He wasn’t trying hard. He wasn’t even trying at all. Through that very short trip, I learned how happy he is for being a taxi driver and how he still drives for his youngest kid who is a working student, but is about to graduate in college. He said he is just doing his job as a taxi driver to be nice to his passengers because “kayo ang pinanggagalingan ng aming kabuhayan”.
It was sad to know though that his operator deducted something that I wasn’t able to catch what. He ended bringing home for Christmas a meager P1,200 as his Christmas bonus.
When I reached my destination, the meter read P78.50. I gave him a P100. I decided not to get the change but he hurriedly gave me the P20.00 and my receipt. I told him that he should keep it and it is my tip for him.
He refused saying that I deserve the change because it is the right thing to do. I told him “OK yung P1.50 na lang tip ko. Huwag niyo nang tanggihan.” He smiled.
(Meet Mr. Eugenio Ventura, 63 years old, a taxi driver. I hailed him at the LRT Roosevelt Station to go to Mother Ignacia Ave. He said, “Sir, come in. I don’t choose passengers. I’ll take you wherever you need to go.”
I thought he was just trying hard to be nice. But I was wrong. He wasn’t trying hard. He wasn’t even trying at all. Through that very short trip, I learned how happy he is for being a taxi driver and how he still drives for his youngest kid who is a working student, but is about to graduate in college. He said he is just doing his job as a taxi driver to be nice to his passengers because “our income comes from you.” It was sad to know though that his operator deducted something that I wasn’t able to catch what.
He ended bringing home for Christmas a meager P1,200 as his Christmas bonus.
When I reached my destination, the meter read P78.50. I gave him a P100. I decided not to get the change but he hurriedly gave me the P20.00 and my receipt. I told him that he should keep it and it is my tip for him. He refused saying that I deserve the change because it is the right thing to do. I told him “OK, the P1.50 can be my tip. Please accept it.” He smiled.)
Since posting, the story has gained 15,000 reactions on Facebook and 1,048 shares. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has also given Mang Eugenio an award for his story.
Now, Mang Eugenio and Lopez had a teary reunion on DZMM.
Mang Eugenio said, “Nagpasalamat po ako sa tao sa taas na kahit paano ay na-blessingan ang buhay ko.” (“I’m thankful for the people because I was given so many blessings.”)
And his advice for listeners who experience taxi drivers who don’t stop for them? “Kapag kayo hindi hinintuan, huwag kayong mag-alala, baka ‘yung tao gutom na, nasi-CR na.
” (If a taxi driver doesn’t stop for you, don’t worry. He might be hungry or has to go to the restroom.)
Watch the reunion below:
Do you have a similar experience? Share it below!
