I have witnessed several occasions on how Filipinos treat their countrymen as good as they treat themselves. I still see people like this, in the bus, jeepneys, trains, malls, parks, on the streets (sidewalks). Many still are they exist (I don’t know if I’m going to include myself among them, hehehe). Please don’t forget that I’ll be doing the write-ups below in general (of to whoever is concern).
People, even professional workers in their “japorms” and office suits make elderly take their seats. How good to see such things. You feel proud to be a Filipino. If you are seeing things happening, it will surely revive you as a person, as a child of God. I saw a man, let the “lola” took his seat. I saw another, in different occasion, let the woman with her baby took his seat. Even a lady, let an older woman took her seat. Men letting ladies took the seats of a jeepney and make themselves “sabit” instead and so many more. Ah, really inspiring and rings a bell. Great work to you peeps! God Bless you all!
Kicking aside, to give you a funny one (but please promise me don’t laugh at it), let me tell you my experience with regards to our subtopic. I was riding a passenger bus sometime, I think in 2004 or 2005. I was tired from work and not minding other commuters, I wave at the bus for a ride along EDSA (EDSA-Santolan MRT Station to be exact). I sat and closed my eyes for a short nap. Minutes later, as the bus stopped by North-EDSA MRT Station to get more passengers in, a “Lolo” and his granddaughter (I think) went in and stood beside where I am sitting for no vacant seats were already available. I had a second thought of letting them take my seat as I feel dizzy and tired, but the thought of giving it as an action of courtesy to the old man and a help for both of them was bothering me. I thought that if I’m not going to do it, something not good might happen to me (I prayed and hope that nothing bad will happen, ehehehe). But you know what, someone in the backseat let his seat be taken by the “Lolo” and his “apo”. So they’re exactly seated at the backseat fronting mine. That made me felt better, trying to pacify my conscience (is that possible?). Now this was what really happened. Just as the bus geared-up and passed by the train’s station…. the child threw up….
Well, I was not spared from that “great digestive activity” that will surely make one’s head and face “red”. It’s too late to bring back my “true” conscience. It’s too late to act up my “true” desires (of letting the “mag-lolo” take my seat). It was too late. Hahaha, I’m laughing, yes laughing for myself, hehehehe (again). I sighed. I tried to reason out within myself, I thought, I was tired that’s why I didn’t give up my seat. I was feeling dizzy that’s why I did not do it and more self-justifications. That was the verdict. And for me, the moral of the story is: “It’s never too late”, bwehehehehe.
Jefferson Danipog