Down and troubled? If you find yourself in the town of Tayabas, Quezon, you can get a dose of positive vibes if you take this tricycle that gives away freebies and heart-warming advice to passengers.
The tricycle has gone viral after a Twitter user named John Aaron Durante (@aarontooters) posted photos on Sunday of what he saw inside the vehicle.
For the unaware, tricycles are motorized public utility vehicles that are commonly seen in small streets in the Philippines. They could usually accommodate up to four passengers.
Durante wrote in his post: “[A] lot of tricycle (sic) had passed to (sic) us and fortunately, this is the one that took us. [H]ave a good [S]unday everyone!”
A closer look at the photos he took shows a small bucket containing candies. In a phone interview, Durante told Coconuts Manila that the candies are free.
There’s also a laminated note which said that passengers do not have to pay their fare if they meet one of seven criteria such as: if the passenger is seven to nine months pregnant; if they happen to have their electric bill with them; and if they are wearing green flipflops.
a lot of tricycle had passed to us and fortunately, this is the one that took us. have a good sunday everyone! ♥ pic.twitter.com/7hGyLd5BFH
— ᵃᵃʳᵒⁿ (@aarontooters) January 6, 2019
But what would really inspire people are these words written on a piece of paper taped inside the tricycle: “If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough. – O. Winfrey.”
Quoting Oprah is always a plus!
Durante’s post about this one-of-a-kind tricycle has been shared more than 27,000 times since it was posted.
He told Coconuts Manila that he was with his cousin when he saw the tricycle in the village of Angeles Zone II. The two of them were looking for a tricycle after they went to the dentist.
“We were waiting for a tricycle but no one wanted to accept us until that one arrived,” he said.
The vehicle was driven by a kind, clean-cut man in his 30s whom Durante later learned was Jester Tadiosa, based on the identification hanging inside the tricycle and according to one netizen who saw his post.
Durante said: “He insisted that we take the free candy. He also told us that we don’t have to pay if we meet one of his requirements. He also offered free drinking water.”
Impressed by his kindness, the cousins decided not to ask Tadiosa for their change.
Turns out that Tadiosa is quite famous in Tayabas. “His face looks familiar and my friends told me they see him [around town],” he said.
Durante was surprised that his post has gone viral and he didn’t even realize that it has become internet famous until his friends told him. “I’m just sharing positivity with people,” he said.
Judging by the comments the post had received, it appears that Durante is successful.
Wrote @sunkissedkimm: “I dunno but this made me cry. Sometimes those who are not rich are the people who are most generous. God bless you and your fam, Brother.”
I dunno but this made me cry. Kung sino pa talaga yung mga taong di mayayaman, sila pa yung mga totoong mapagbigay. God bless you and your fam, Kuya. 🙂
— Kim Katalbas (@sunkissedkimm) January 6, 2019
@SugarSantiago wrote that “Mamang Driver” (“Mr. Driver”) needs “a boost [of admiration].” She also said that people need more individuals like him.
Aww! Mamang driver needs a boost. I’m sure everyone riding his tricycle steps out either smiling or suddenly having an epiphany. We need more people like him. Sana I am one ♥️
— Sugarfree (@SugarSantiago) January 6, 2019
Another netizen said he knows the driver and that he used to work in Dubai but went home to the Philippines to be with his family.
I dunno this is sooo big here in twitter. I knew this man. He is sooo kind and humble. 14 years working in Dubai and now aparently working as a tricycle driver to be with his family. Because he really wants to be with them sooo bad!
— GHELOtadiosaLabita (@simply_ghelo) January 8, 2019
Have you seen this tricycle in Tayabas? Share your experiences by commenting below or tweeting to @CoconutsManila.
