A small act of kindness can go a long way, as seen in this recent viral post.
Last week, Facebook user Ed Obretiv Dgies posted about a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic officer who helped an elderly man get a free bus ride to the hospital while at the Alabang bus terminal.
On his caption, Dgies wrote that he first spotted MMDA officer Kenette Oznolab with the man before getting on the bus. Based on his observations, it looked like the traffic enforcer was giving the old man some cash, which he assumed was for the bus fare.
In a conversation with Coconuts Manila, Oznolab, the traffic enforcer said he was on his way home after his duty hours from 5am to 1pm when he saw the elderly man.
“I was on my way home when tatay (Literally “father” but also a term of respect) suddenly approached me and showed me his [doctor’s] prescription,” he told Coconuts Manila through a Facebook message.
Oznolab added that the man had a soft voice — probably due to his age — and that it was difficult to understand him at first.
“When he showed me the prescription, I thought he needed money to buy medicine, which is why I immediately gave him [money],” he shared in Filipino.
“But he rejected my offer and said he only wanted to go to [the] PGH (Philippine General Hospital) to get treatment.”
Oznolab said that the old man simply wanted a ride going to the hospital, which is why he accompanied him and spoke to the bus conductor and said that he would pay for tatay‘s fare instead. To his surprise, the conductor told him that tatay could ride the bus for free.
Another act of kindness!
Before the old man was about to board the bus, Oznolab asked if he had money to buy food with, and the man replied that he did not.
“I immediately reached for cash in my wallet to give him, but he tried to refuse again until I really pushed him to get it. Even if it was just a little [cash], I knew it would help tatay,” Oznolab said.
And what he did didn’t just help tatay, it also inspired others online.
In the viral Facebook post that now has over 16,000 likes and almost 6,000 share, Dgies, the poster, said: “You are one of those that are admired by everyone, especially those who saw [what you did]. I hope you help more people.”
Commenters shared the same sentiments.
Karen Jean Delgado Barba wrote in a mix of English and Filipino: “You are so kind Sir MMDA god bless to you and to your family. I wish everyone would be like that so everything could be merry.”
Another user wrote: “We are proud of you Sir MMDA, just keep doing good deeds godbless.”
“I salute you, god bless,” Jade Espinosa added.
Romeo Rodriguez added that “it’s better to give than to receive.”
Rodriguez shared, “Good job bro. It’s better to give than to receive. Doing good even no one is watching is integrity.”
Now if only more people can be like him.
