Bayanihan is a uniquely Filipino concept, but it’s no longer practiced in the Philippines. Is it because Filipinos now live in concrete houses, where neighbors no longer need to literally carry the house when the owner has to move? Or is it because the world is now a scary place and people don’t know what will happen when they extend help?
In this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in Manila, Filipinos experienced widespread traffic across the capital. Even if schools and government offices suspended classes and work, those working in the private sector experienced what author Dan Brown called “the gates of hell.”
But a netizen shared a touching story on Facebook about how a motorist shared his car to stranded commuters during last night’s peak of traffic. Dayne Bicera was forced to walk to the Coastal Mall bus terminal from SM Mall of Asia because there were no buses. But when she got there, commuters were also waiting for buses.
Nakita ko yung isang FX na red na dinudumog ng mga tao at nakiusi ako. Yun pala nagsasakay si kuya. Pa-Las Piñas siya. Sabi ko kahit sa may Jollibee Zapote lang. Pinasakay niya ako at ibang pasahero. Sabi niya pa priority sana mga babae pero nagpasukan na yung iba. Buti nakasakay ako. Bumaba siya para buksan yung pinto sa likod at tinatanong yung ibang pasahero kung saan sila. Yung lalaki sa unahan nagsabi na, ‘kahit 100 pa ibayad natin ok lang. Basta makauwi lang’.
(I saw a red FX surrounded by people and I decided to check it out. It turned out that the driver is sharing his car to stranded commuters going to Las Pinas. I asked him if he can drop me off at Jollibee Zapote, the first stop. He let me ride. He said that he was prioritizing women but others started going on. I was lucky I was able to get on. He got down and opened the back door and asked people where they were going. The guy in front said, “Even if I have to pay P100, it’s okay as long as I get home.”)
When they went on their way, a passenger asked how much he should pay for the ride, but the driver declined any payment. According to Bicera, she almost cried because she didn’t expect anyone to do that. Along the way, she noticed other cars offering rides to other commuters walking to the toll gate.
Kay kuya na may-ari ng red FX, plate number WBP 407, thank you very much. Sobrang laking blessing mo samin. At pati sa mga may mabubuting puso na hindi nag hesitate magsakay ng mga taong naglalakad sa express way, sobrang saludo ako sa inyo!
I really don’t believe in Bayanihan. Ever since ang thinking ko hindi na uso yun. But you guys proved me wrong. You changed my perception at pinakita niyo sakin meron pa palang may mabubuting puso. You are the definitely the modern good samaritan.
(To the man who owns the red FX with plate number WBP 407, thank you very much. You are a huge blessing to us. To those who didn’t hesitate to let commuters ride with them, I salute you!
I really don’t believe in bayanihan. I always thought no one does that anymore. But you guys proved me wrong. You changed my perception and showed me that there are those with kind hearts. You are the definitely the modern good samaritan.)
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