How far would you go for PHP10 (US$0.19)?
On Wednesday, a Grade 5 student hung for dear life from a window just to get a PHP10 (US$0.19) coin that was on the ledge of his classroom in Quezon City.
Pedestrians and onlookers were shocked to see the student hanging from the fourth floor window of Commonwealth Elementary School, a private educational institution.
GMA News’ Balitambayan stated that the student confessed that he was told by another student of the class to get the coin which was on the ledge beneath the window of their classroom. The incident happened past 5pm.
The now-viral video was reposted by Facebook page Shocking to the Senses on Thursday, which they reportedly got from the private Facebook account of a certain Ella Horri.
The video shows the commotion that ensued as the student held on to the edge of the window. He can be seen trying to pull himself up but fails to do so.
He escaped the near-death experience when he was pulled back into the classroom by several people.
According to the GMA News report, the students were unsupervised as their teacher left them to go to the toilet prior to the incident.
She was shocked to see the chaotic situation that broke out in her absence. Apparently, the child had gone through the fire exit which was locked with metal wires.
“He thought his feet would reach the canopy at the side [of the fourth-floor classroom],” the teacher told GMA News in Filipino. “I tried to grab him but because he was so heavy, I couldn’t pull him up. So I called the adviser at the classroom next to ours to help lift the child.”
Authorities and barangay (village) officials arrived at the scene when the incident occurred.
Netizens weighed in on the incident over on social media:
Jennifer Pintucan Araos said in Filipino: The reason is because of PHP10… That’s why he tried to go down the ledge, because of PHP10 only… The kid is so annoying. He put his life on the line for the amount of PHP10.”
Ericka Teruel added in Filipino: “Even if there was space [on the ledge] and space for him to stand there, it’s still not safe. What if he got out balanced, he wouldn’t have anything to hold on to. Kids are so rowdy!!!”
“Poor kid. I wonder what he was thinking when he went down the window,” wrote Rosita Corpuz.
Meanwhile, the Division of City Schools of Quezon City called the incident an “isolated case” that is unlikely to occur again.
The student’s parents also said that they will monitor the child closely after the incident. As of posting, it is unclear if the student who ordered him to get the PHP10 will be penalized.
