The year 2019 was a year of big news—from social issues, politics, entertainment, and even environmental. And though many of those stories made us sad, cry, or even angry, there were also stories that made us smile, feel inspired, and hopeful. And we don’t even have to look far to find them! Sometimes, the best stories happen right in our home, or all around us.
Here, below, are some of the best stories that happened in 2019 that went viral and captured our hearts.
12. The tricycle driver who wants to remind us to be kind
Images from Reddit user –saudade
In January, this story about a tricycle driver in Tayabas City went viral. In his tricycle, you’ll find a jar filled with candy for “happy passengers” and a note beside it that says that you get to ride for free if you are one of the following: it’s your birthday, you are pregnant, you have your electric bill with you, you are a hospital patient, your slippers are green, you have no teeth, and you don’t have money to pay. Also hanging in his tricycle is a quote from Oprah Winfrey that gives a wonderful reminder: “If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.”
This tricycle driver proves you don’t need riches to be happy. Sometimes, you just have to be kind.
Read the whole story here: This tricycle driver reminds us of how easy it is to be kind
11. The Filipino Harvard Law graduate doing pro-bono work for the poor
It’s not everyday you see generosity like this. Juan Fidel Felipe Nograles graduated from Ateneo de Manila University and the prestigious School of Law of Harvard University. But instead of pursuing the traditional path and using his degrees to bag a high-paying job at some fancy firm, Nograles did the opposite. He went home to his native province of Rizal to work on pro-bono (free) legal cases for the poor.
In a report by Philstar, Nograles said: “I have seen how meager their resources are and honestly, I can’t turn a blind eye anymore. The more time I spend with them each day, the more I appreciate how lucky I am to be in a position to help.”
Kudos to you, Juan!
Read the whole story here: Filipino Harvard law graduate dedicates his career to pro-bono legal work for the poor
10. These two Filipino nurses who saved a man’s life in Boracay
https://www.facebook.com/jpkabigting13/posts/10205226480296809
Luisa Jasmin Jenkins and her boyfriend Justine Navarra were lounging on the beach in Boracay during their vacation when they heard a commotion by the shore. It turns out, a Chinese tourist had drowned and was rescued by nearby swimmers. He was unconscious though and not breathing—he hit his head and lost consciousness after he jumped off his paddleboard, causing him to drown.
Luckily, Luisa and Justine are both nurses, and quickly rushed to provide aid. In a video posted by a netizen, Luisa and Justine are seen taking turns giving the man CPR. After a few minutes, fortunately, the man showed signs of life and was revived. The video quickly went viral on Facebook, while netizens commended the young nurses and called them heroes.
Read the whole story here: Vacationing Filipino nurse saves foreigner’s life in Boracay
9. This story that proves moms are the best
Facebook user Rubie Mendoza shared the story online—she and her mom visited her sister one night at the fast food chain where her sister works. The place was busy when they got there, and her sister shared that she was the only crew on duty at the customers’ dining area that night. But with many full and messy tables waiting to be cleared, Rubie’s mom could not stand letting her daughter do all the work…so she started clearing the tables as well.
Rubie wrote on her Facebook: [Translated from Tagalog] “I have a working student sister then we decided to eat at Mcdonald’s Navotas so we could visit her. When we arrived my sister told us that she was the only crew on duty at the lobby, but there were so many customers. After I ordered food for us I was surprised to see our Mom helping bus tables. #ProudDaughterHere”
Read the whole story here: Mom sees how busy her daughter is bussing tables at work and starts to help her!
8. This pilot who surprised his parents during his first official flight
https://www.facebook.com/WhenInManila/videos/2340372252906038
Bring out the tissues for this one. Genesis Bernardo, after years of flying, was finally going to pilot as captain for the very first time. His parents were there to celebrate the momentous event, flying on that very same plane with him as his passengers. But to everyone’s surprise, after the pilot’s standard greetings, Genesis continued on with a sweet message for his parents that left everyone on that plane touched.
Here’s what he said: “And I would like to take this opportunity to welcome two very important persons in my life, Mr. Paul Bernardo and Ms. Solly Bernardo, my dad and my mom. After so many years of flying in the airline, I have always dreamed of having you on board as my passengers. I would like to thank you for loving me unconditionally as your son and for teaching me to do my best in everything that I do. I also thank you for inspiring me to never stop dreaming big and making me believe that everything is possible as long as you have faith. You are one of the biggest reasons why I am here commanding a flight and flying this airplane. It is truly an honour and my pleasure to have you onboard. I am so proud of you for bringing me where I am right now, and I hope I also make you proud. Cheers to all the parents who’s always been an inspiration to their kids and to every one of us who’s been inspired by their parents to achieve their dreams.”
Read the whole story here: Pilot flies for the first time with his family on board and gives a special message
7. This OFW who flew all her 28 rescue pets across the country to their home
If you had to leave the country but you have pets, what would you do with them? For OFW Hazel Catuiran and her husband, the decision was not easy. The couple had been living with 28 rescued pets—5 dogs and 23 cats—but when work opportunity came up for them in Germany, it was a chance they could not pass. They had to take it. The problem was, as much as they wanted to bring all their pets to Germany, moving one pet across international borders is very expensive. And they had 28. So they did the next best thing. They sent their rescues to Hazel’s parents-in-law.
Flying all their pets across the country from San Pedro, Laguna to General Santos City also cost them a lot, but according to Hazel, it was worth it. She even reportedly said: [Translated from Tagalog] “We couldn’t just leave them on their own. Even if the cost was a heavy burden…we had to find ways and do everything we could just so they wouldn’t return to the street and become strays again.”
Read the whole story here: This OFW loves her pets so much she flew all 28 of them to their new home
