23 September 2006 – On our way back to the office, after grabbing something for lunch, an old man caught our attention. The man seemed to be in severe pain. It was as if his knees were really week that he couldn't anymore afford to stand and continue walking. Of course, it's normal for anyone to worry and extend some help. I asked the old man what's wrong with him. I asked him what's giving him pain. I thought he'd ask us to bring him to the hospital. Sadly, it wasn't what the man shared to us.
He said:"Galing ako doon sa construction (which is true, because there's a construction site in front of our office building). Pinuntahan ko iyong mga dati kong kasamahan kasi hihingi sana ako ng tulong. Kaso, hindi pa nila sweldo kaya ngayon wala akong pamasahe. Lalakarin ko na lang hanggang lawton tapos makikiusap ako sa mga bus doon na isakay ako pauwing Cavite."
That's the catch! I didn't know what to feel. I started to doubt the man. The usual anxious that I am, I analyzed story he shared. If the man was really in pain, he could have asked us to bring him to the hospital instead of sharing with us where he came and his need for money. So I told the man to wait for a jeep that would bring him to Pantranco.
We’ve decided to leave the man. My officemate also felt that it was a scam. I felt a little guilty. What if the man was really in pain? What if he badly needs money to go home? So while walking, I couldn’t help but to look back. The man was still there. He seemed to still be in pain. There were other people walking and looking at him but no one attempted to approach him and help him. But on the third time I look back, wow, the old man was already walking straight. It was as if nothing’s wrong with him. With that, I guess it is acceptable to think that it was really a scam.
Alas, that’s how poor a lot of people are. There are many who are desperate to get money even in the wrong way. But to be poor is not an excuse to cheat on other people. I have high regard for those people who are struggling in order to survive their daily needs. The factory workers, drivers, vendors, janitors, house helpers, cleaning aides, etc. are all striving even if the money they earn is not enough.
He said:"Galing ako doon sa construction (which is true, because there's a construction site in front of our office building). Pinuntahan ko iyong mga dati kong kasamahan kasi hihingi sana ako ng tulong. Kaso, hindi pa nila sweldo kaya ngayon wala akong pamasahe. Lalakarin ko na lang hanggang lawton tapos makikiusap ako sa mga bus doon na isakay ako pauwing Cavite."
That's the catch! I didn't know what to feel. I started to doubt the man. The usual anxious that I am, I analyzed story he shared. If the man was really in pain, he could have asked us to bring him to the hospital instead of sharing with us where he came and his need for money. So I told the man to wait for a jeep that would bring him to Pantranco.
We’ve decided to leave the man. My officemate also felt that it was a scam. I felt a little guilty. What if the man was really in pain? What if he badly needs money to go home? So while walking, I couldn’t help but to look back. The man was still there. He seemed to still be in pain. There were other people walking and looking at him but no one attempted to approach him and help him. But on the third time I look back, wow, the old man was already walking straight. It was as if nothing’s wrong with him. With that, I guess it is acceptable to think that it was really a scam.
Alas, that’s how poor a lot of people are. There are many who are desperate to get money even in the wrong way. But to be poor is not an excuse to cheat on other people. I have high regard for those people who are struggling in order to survive their daily needs. The factory workers, drivers, vendors, janitors, house helpers, cleaning aides, etc. are all striving even if the money they earn is not enough.
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