Good Samaritans in Iloilo City proved that being compassionate is innate in Ilonggos despite the unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
JR Caberoy, 31, worked as a brand ambassador for a mobile phone company in a mall in Mandurriao district when he met Armand Bajon.
Tatay Armand is a delivery rider in Iloilo City. He bought a brand-new cellphone from the same branch where Caberoy was working.
Two days after, the rider went back to the same branch informing the employees that he lost his new phone to a thief while he was making deliveries in Tacas, Jaro.
“First nagkadto siya di sa babaw sa amon, diri man siya nagkuha sang phone para sa iya obra as delivery rider. Pila lang ka adlaw nagbalik siya liwat kag nagreklamo nga ang iya cellphone ginkawat sang isa ka biker samtang naga-deliver sa customer,” Caberoy said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo on Sunday, Oct 24, 2021.
Witnessing how Tatay Armand almost got teary-eyed while explaining his situation, Caberoy said he and other brand ambassadors in the mall were deeply touched by his story.
“Naluoy kami kay tatay, daw matulo na iya luha samtang ginaistorya ya. Natandog ang amon kabubut-on sa ginpakita ni tatay. Ang point bala nga amo na lang to tani ang ginapangitaan sang pangadlaw-adlaw nga palangabuhi-an ginkawat pa sa iya,” he said.
The group couldn’t bear to see Tatay Armand go home empty handed when he lost the gadget he needed for his main source of living. They decided to help the hardworking rider.
Caberoy asked for donations from the other brand promoters. He shared that despite the competition between their brands, they treat each other as family and helping one another has been their mantra.
“Lain-lain man amon brands pero daw mag-utod na kami kag kon may mga naaksidente or may napatyan kina-andan naman namon nga magpalibot bala kag magamot-amot,” he said.
Indeed, small acts of kindness can go a long way because after a few hours, the group was able to raise P5,000 worth of cash donations from other employees and even customers. The amount was enough to buy a brand-new phone for Tatay Armand.
When the group finally handed Tatay Armand his brand-new phone, the rider couldn’t believe it.
“Sang ginhatag ko na ang cellphone didto mo makita sa tigulang nga daw malipay siya, wala siya nagexpect nga amo to matabo. Nalipay man kami nga nakabulig kami sa iya,” Caberoy said.
Tatay Armand also expressed his gratefulness to the good Samaritans who helped him through an online post.
“Madamo nga salamat sa tanan nga nagbulig sa akon nga maka-angkon ako liwat sang bag-o nga cellphone kay amo gid ni ang pangunahon nga kinahanglan ko sa akon pangabuhian bilang isa ka rider,” he said.
The extra-ordinary act of kindness by Caberoy and his fellow workers inspired many netizens on social media.
But for Caberoy, this is not something new as he shared that he took his inspiration from his sibling working in Canada who was able to help many people who are also in need.
“Na-inspire ko sa akon utod nga damo pa gid siya nabuligan.Wala man kami sang damo nga manggad pero kon makabulig ka sa may kinahanglan, kag nalipay sila, malipay ka man,” he shared.
Indeed, light shines the brightest during darkest times as good Samaritans continue to spread hope amid the Covid-19 pandemic. (ERS)
