Jeepney driver gives free ride to student who helped him during pandemic

MANILA, Philippines – A jeepney driver recalled the help he received from a student when he was struggling during the height of the pandemic.

In the Facebook post of student Eddniel Patrick Ilagan Papa, netizens were impressed with the student's encounter with a jeepney driver while he's on his way to his school.

Photo courtesy: Facebook/Eddniel Patrick Ilagan Papa

"Kanina habang nagrereview ako sa jeep para sa aking exam sa isang major course ay nag-abot ako ng bayad. Hindi tinanggap ni manong driver.”

Eddniel was surprised when the jeepney driver did not accept the payment he handed over.

When the jeepney driver was asked why he did not want to accept the fare, the driver revealed that he remembered Eddniel who helped him during the peak of the COVID-19 nationwide.

The driver said, because of the help provided by Eddniel, he and his family had something to eat where most Filipinos lost their jobs due to the spread of the virus.

“Hindi ba ikaw yung nasa pantry noon sa simbahan? Noong kasagsagan ng COVID? Libre na pamasahe mo. Dahil sa inyo nagkabigas at ulam kami noon,” the driver said.

"May kulay pa ang buhok ko at payat pa ko noon. Nakakatuwa na naalala niya ako dahil sa boses ko raw noong sumisigaw ako,” Eddniel said happily.

"Hindi ako makapaniwala na tanda niya pa yon. Magta-tatlong taon na ang nakalilipas pero hindi talaga nakalilimot ang masa,” he added.

According to Eddniel, this is the second time he has encountered someone he helped at the community pantry before.

“Tanda ko, nagtayo lang kami noon ng isang sirang lamesa sa pagbabakasakali na madagdagan ang bigas at de lata na dala namin noon nina Erven, Andrei at Alex. Ang mga ganitong interaksyon ang patuloy na nagpapaniwala sa akin na palaging may pag-asa at nagbibigay lakas,” he said.

Meanwhile, many were touched and saluted the story shared by Eddniel.

“Kindness echoes through time. You're such an inspiration, Eddniel.”

“Sarap sa pakiramdam niyan. Wala kang hinihinging kapalit noon, ngayon kusa kang sinusuklian. Ayos yan, direk!”

“You're such an inspiration po, kuya! proud of you always.”

— Carl Santiago, The Summit Express