Last Jan 16, Rommel Lopez posted on Facebook a heartwarming story about a taxi driver named Eugenio Ventura, who makes us proud to be Pinoys.
Lopez’s story has already been featured in various TV shows, but we’re reposting his story below because good news needs to be shared over and over again. The story is accompanied by Lopez’s photos as well.
Meet Mr. Eugenio Ventura, 63 years old, a taxi driver. I hailed him at the LRT Roosevelt Station to go to Mother Ignacia Ave. Sabi niya “Sir pasok lang. Hindi ako namimili ng pasahero. Kahit saan kayo pupunta, ihahatid ko kayo.”
I thought he was just trying hard to be nice. But I was wrong. He wasn’t trying hard. He wasn’t even trying at all. Through that very short trip, I learned how happy he is for being a taxi driver and how he still drives for his youngest kid who is a working student, but is about to graduate in college. He said he is just doing his job as a taxi driver to be nice to his passengers because “kayo ang pinanggagalingan ng aming kabuhayan”. It was sad to know though that his operator deducted something that I wasn’t able to catch what. He ended bringing home for Christmas a meager P1,200 as his Christmas bonus.
When I reached my destination, the meter read P78.50. I gave him a P100. I decided not to get the change but he hurriedly gave me the P20.00 and my receipt. I told him that he should keep it and it is my tip for him. He refused saying that I deserve the change because it is the right thing to do. I told him “OK yung P1.50 na lang tip ko. Huwag niyo nang tanggihan.” He smiled.
“Manong, may isa pa akong request, ” I said. Picturean ko kayo at share ko sa Facebook para malaman ng marami kung ano ang isang tunay na taxi driver na Pinoy.” He laughed so hard. That’s the story behind this picture.
I thanked him profusely when I alighted his taxi. He thanked me endlessly too.
Please share this and tell the world that there is a Filipino taxi driver like Mang Eugenio.
