Good Samaritans
Monday, November 20, 2006
While ordering food at McDonald's at Makati Cinema Square tonight at around 10-ish, my sister Cami and I went outside while my other sister Ara and cousin Carlo were waiting for our food orders get processed. A guy wearing shorts, a shirt, eyeglasses and a heavy backpack walked by us, turned around, and headed straight to us. He said, "Excuse me, I hope you can help me." He was not a Filipino. He was a American with dark hair and a day old beard. I said, "Sure." He said, "Can you help me get to Subic?" I asked, "You mean you need directions to Subic?" He replied, "No, I know how to get to Subic. It's just that I lost my wallet in the jeep today. It got snatched and I lost my money and all my credit cards and my bus ticket." All he needs is P360 for the bus ticket. He doesn't care if he has to walk all the way to the bus station. He just wants to get to Subic.
By this time, my cousin Chino joined us heard the story. We found out he was from Sacramento, California. He is staying in Subic because his friend owns a hotel and his room is free. He has been in the country for 15 days and he's searching for his grandmother, Sigrid von Giese, better known as Paraluman, a famous actress from the 50s. I asked if he tried going to tv stations to ask for help and he said he went to GMA 7 but they told him to come back on a working day. Initially, I handed him a P100 peso bill. But as he told his story, my cousins and sister fished out P100 each from their pockets to help him out. He left with P400 and wishes of good luck.
I told my cousins that who knows, it may be a scam but we helped him out of the goodness of our hearts and we did it with good intentions. Besides, we really think it wasn't fake. The worry, tiredness and nervousness that he projected told us he was real.
After McDonald's, we had to pass by 7 Eleven in Pasay Road to buy ice for the wake. We saw him again walking down the street. Ara, Chino and I were inside asking about the ice when he passed by the car. He saw my other sister Cami and cousin Carlo and he waved at them.
I really hope that (1) he really is real.. because a tiny part of me still doubts him and think it's a scam, (2) that he got to Subic safely and (3) he finds his grandmother.
By this time, my cousin Chino joined us heard the story. We found out he was from Sacramento, California. He is staying in Subic because his friend owns a hotel and his room is free. He has been in the country for 15 days and he's searching for his grandmother, Sigrid von Giese, better known as Paraluman, a famous actress from the 50s. I asked if he tried going to tv stations to ask for help and he said he went to GMA 7 but they told him to come back on a working day. Initially, I handed him a P100 peso bill. But as he told his story, my cousins and sister fished out P100 each from their pockets to help him out. He left with P400 and wishes of good luck.
I told my cousins that who knows, it may be a scam but we helped him out of the goodness of our hearts and we did it with good intentions. Besides, we really think it wasn't fake. The worry, tiredness and nervousness that he projected told us he was real.
After McDonald's, we had to pass by 7 Eleven in Pasay Road to buy ice for the wake. We saw him again walking down the street. Ara, Chino and I were inside asking about the ice when he passed by the car. He saw my other sister Cami and cousin Carlo and he waved at them.
I really hope that (1) he really is real.. because a tiny part of me still doubts him and think it's a scam, (2) that he got to Subic safely and (3) he finds his grandmother.
5 Comments:
the most dubious thing about this is the thing about him looking for his mother... Paraluman of all people.
but, then again, what's an American fellow doing in a country like this begging for money. And what's 400 PHP to him?
This is really doubtful because I think naturally the first thing a foreigner needs to do when he gets into trouble, is call someone they know. So, it could've been easy enough calling his friend if he just knew the name of the hotel - at the very least. And, secondly, go to their local consulate.
What the hell was he doing in Makati, anyway? And riding a jeep for that matter? And he must be a first time traveller because certainly you'd know that the most important thing to take care of is you wallet!
Even if it was a scam, think of it this way...God's gonna bless you because of the kindness you have in your heart. You never know how true anyone's story is, so the best we can do is give them the benefit of the doubt before we judge them...
And just out of curiosity, what's the transfer rate of 400 PHP to American money?
belated happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
indeed, a good samaritan :) don't worry, if it was really a scam, karma will get to the guy.
and oh, sorry to hear about your grandma. my condolences
karma points for you, cat! :) as they said, even if it was a scam (and i hope not, just by reading naawa ako sa kanya heheh), you all did a good thing.
btw, what's your facorite judith mcnaught book? i remember you posted a comment on my blog raving about her. i'm trying to decided what to read first. :)
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