Chie Filomeno took to Instagram to share her experience a couple of days ago when she saw jeepney drivers asking for help along the streets of Katipunan Avenue, all of whom were out of work due to the lockdown.
“A couple of days ago we passed by Katipunan Ave. at may nakita akong cartolina na nakadikit lang sa barrier at may nakasulat na ‘KONTING TULONG LANG PO SA AMING MGA JEEPNEY DRIVERS.’ Tapos nakita ko sila nakaupo sa side gutter, sobrang hinang hina at walang pag-asa (A couple of days ago, we passed by Katipunan Ave. and I saw a cartolina that was just plastered on the barrier that said, ‘Please help us jeepney drivers.’ Then I saw them seated on the side gutter, fatigued and hopeless),” she began in her post.
She lamented how she didn’t have any money or relief goods at the time, regretting the fact that she couldn’t provide any sort of assistance.
“I wanted to give them something pero (but) that time I didn’t have relief goods in the car and I didn’t have money. Simula nung nakita ko sila hindi ko na maalis sa isip ko yung lungkot sa mata nila at yung nararamdaman nila, dahil naranasan din ng pamilya ko yun, naranasan namin, different situation pero alam namin yung feeling na wala ka nang makain sa plato mo. (Ever since I saw them, I couldn’t get the look of sadness in their eyes and the hopelessness they may be feeling out of my mind because my family experienced that. It may have been a different situation but I know the feeling of not having any food on your plate.)”
Because of this, she returned to the place where she found them and gave them aid, which the drivers were happy to receive.
“Hindi malaki pero I hope makatulong sa kanila (It wasn’t much but I hope it helped them somehow),” she said. “Nung binuksan ko yung window ng car ko nakita ko na sumaya ang kanilang mga mata at hindi sila tumigil sa kaka thank you. (When I rolled down my car window, I saw the happiness in their eyes and they couldn’t stop saying thank you.)”
As she ended her story, she urged her fans and followers to extend help to these drivers when they see them along the road, as well as everyone else who is struggling to earn a living during the pandemic-induced lockdown.
“Any amount of money or relief goods will be a big help,” she wrote. “Tulungan na lang po tayo dito. (Let’s continue helping each other.) Stay safe and healthy everyone.”
(ALSO READ: DOTr Asks Jeep and Bus Drivers to Operate to Get Incentives During ECQ)
Did you have a similar experience while out doing errands? Share your stories with us in the comments.
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