Here's some feel-good news for today: a 'Mamang Kutsero' chose to be honest than become instantly-rich.
Reports say Jaime Mayor, a 48-year-old coachman working in popular tourist spot Luneta, returned a pouch that contained at least €4,000 (over P200,000) to his French passenger.
The report quoted Mayor as saying that he saw the pouch in his coach, when the French tourist was about to board a separate vehicle. He opened the pouch and saw the money and chased the tourist. He added the French national hugged and thanked him for his deed.
“Di ko po kayang kumuha ng ibang gamit. Ok lang po na kumita ng maliit lang, sa awa ng Diyos ay nakapagtapos po sila ng pagaaral [I can't bear take someone else's property. It's okay if I earn little, I was able to send my children to school],” an ABS-CBN report quoted him as saying. The report noted Mayor is earning P200-P500 a day, and is a father of four whose ages ranged from 18-27.
Mayor will get citations from the National Park Development Committee as "Dangal ng Rizal Park Award", it added.
Here's a contributed photo of the honest Jaime Mayor:
Jaime Mayor
…honest kutsero of Luneta
By Apolinario B Villalobos
At dawn, from his humble home in Caloocan
He diligently pedals his way to Luneta
The same he does when he goes home at night
But all these he does with unpretentious delight.
In Luneta, for years, he worked as kutsero
Guiding his tame horse, he fondly calls Rapido
Both of them braving the rain and searing sun
Even pangs of hunger as best as they can.
A typical Filipino, this guy - Jaime Mayor
For earning honestly, he could not ask for more
With perpetual smile on his sun-burned face
He and Rapido, in Luneta, strollers can’t miss.
One day, his honesty was put to a test
When a purse was left behind by a tourist
Whom he pursued just before she was gone
And who was amazed by such an honest man.
Tightly he was hugged and praised to heavens
In a language that sounded strange to him
But just the same, these he took in stride
Though, his appreciation, he could not hide.
He said, he is proud to be a Filipino
And proud that he lives in a beautiful country
His modest knowledge of English, then…
Is always ended with –
“It’s more fun to be in the Philippines”!