Reio Lance, a resident of Centennial Village in Barangay Western Bicutan, did not think twice in returning the P150,000 left behind by a passenger.
Little did he realize that his simple act of honesty would also save the life of a sick child.
In the morning of Aug. 7, Annie Joy Angana and her friend Liezl Rolona flagged down Lance’s taxi and asked that they be taken to the Domestic Airport for a flight to Cotabato.
On the way to the airport, the driver chatted with his passengers, telling them how he has been working hard to provide for his family.
Lance, an aspiring seaman from Iloilo, said when there are no taxis to drive, he sells balut or flowers.
Minutes after dropping off his passengers, Lance noticed a bag containing cash at the backseat of the taxi.
Without hesitation, he drove back to the airport and searched for his two passengers.
He eventually found them, much to the relief of Angana, who had borrowed the amount from a relative. The cash was intended for the operation of her five-year-old daughter Gwyneth, who suffers from a brain tumor.
Angana was very thankful and even offered cash to Lance for returning the money. He refused to accept any reward.
Touched by Lance’s honesty, Angana’s friend contacted ABS-CBN and narrated the inspiring story, which the network featured in one of its programs.
Rolona, who works for a shipping firm, also vowed to help Lance fulfill his dream of becoming a seaman because she happens to work for a shipping firm.
Taguig City Mayor Freddie Tinga learned about Lance’s story and promised to reward the honest cab driver.
Last Tuesday, a teary-eyed Lance received a certificate of recognition from Tinga during a simple ceremony at City Hall. He also earned the admiration of City Hall employees who attended the ceremony.
"Good things happen to people who do good things. He should serve as a role model to people in the government," the mayor said during the ceremony.
Tinga also offered a job for Lance at City Hall while City Administrator Wilfredo Villar and Social Welfare head Nitz Jordan also assured him that his two daughters, Reiozel, 5, and Rhazelle, 3, would be receiving elementary and high school scholarships.