Goodyear tires on the Ark

This is not some publicity about tires. It’s a tale about people and events that teach us that ordinary people doing ordinary things make a difference. It teaches us that recognizing others will in turn inspire others.

Whenever someone mentions the “ARK” as in Noah’s Ark or the Ark of the Covenant we often associate the visual picture with floods, fire and brimstone. But very recently the term ARK has been given a new meaning by media: “Acts of Random Kindness”.

So what happens when the “Ark” teams up with Goodyear tires-Philippines?

The story begins April 2, Thursday 10:30 p.m.

I was in the weekly meeting of the Thursday group, which is a loose knit band of Motoring journalists, Drift drivers, Car racing enthusiasts and members of the After Market Mafia. Unlike other “Day of the week drinking groups”, the “Thursday group” shares dinner, business lessons, bible study as well as pray for anyone in need of prayer.

That’s when we received the call for “emergency prayers” for Jenelyn Mallari who was just “Hit & Run” and was 50/50.

Jenelyn is a young teenage girl who attends youth church, a very supportive daughter who does laundry and helps care for her four younger sisters. She belongs to a family of six kids who all live in a guardhouse manned by their father in the former Manila Equestrian Club.

We immediately covered her in prayer and the very next morning we were busy texting anybody and everybody to say a prayer. Eight hours after the accident, Jenelyn was in a coma and it became clear that only prayers and knocking on heavens doors “Loudly” could turn the tide.

April 3 Friday 9:30 a.m.

I had just spent a better part of the morning drumming up a prayer barrage for the young girl, but I was now on my way to host the “Bayani ng Kalsada” awards for Goodyear Philippines. For the last three years Goodyear has selected winners who have performed “ordinary” acts of heroism. It’s not about burning cars or tumbling truck kinds of heroism but more about character, consistency, and humility.

We all look for Wolverine, Transformers and Spiderman, but it takes a lot more character for Peter Parker to take care of his Grandmother than for Spidey to swing by his webs. Being a Hero without the superpowers is a lot tougher and real!

Anyway, there I was driving to the event when I realize that I was just about to have one of those “conversations with God”. For some it’s their guardian angel, their conscience, for me it’s all about having a hot line.

The message was crystal clear: You can’t possibly host an event about being a “Bayani Ng Kalsada” while you receive a talent fee knowing Jenelyn’s parents can’t even afford the daily commute to the hospital. Where’s the heroism in that?

So by the time I reached the venue, I was already on the phone asking for clearance from my wife. I may have heard from the Almighty, but it’s my wife I have to live with. Karen of course is a blessing as well as a compassionate partner. We agreed to donate my talent fees to the medical needs of Jenelyn on behalf of Goodyear Philippines and BNK.

Like any other company, I am sure there are days when the Goodyear management wonders if it’s worth it to spend so much time, money and effort staging the Bayani Ng Kalsada. Nowadays Corporate Social Responsibility is often the first victim of cutbacks. Sadly people like our selves rarely express our appreciation and our support.

Midway in the program, I simply shared what transpired in the last 24 hours. To me, the driver who “hit & ran” from the accident was a coward. For me this was a reason for supporting “BNK”. If there was ever a doubt if “BNK” had an impact, I decided to prove it by announcing our decision to donate my talent fees.

A few minutes later, Mr. Dave Morin the president and managing director of Goodyear Philippines went up on stage and announced that the company would match my donation. The unscripted development also inspired Mr. Eduardo Hagad who won the BNK award for the private sector who quietly informed Ramon Barredo of Goodyear that he was also donating his cash prize of P30,000 to the fund.

Contrary to Mr. Hagad’s request for anonymity, I took the liberty to cite him because he brings honor to his employers “Aventis” the pharmaceutical company where he holds the position of supply chain director.

Right after the event, one of the awardees, Mr. Rogelio Bolinto, a vegetable truck driver from Benguet approached me as if to shake my hand when I realized he was discreetly trying to give P2,000 crumpled in his hand as his contribution. It may as well have been the story of “two copper coins” because Mr. Bolinto gave from his very limited resource and not from his excess.

The next day, one of those who joined in the “intercessory prayers” Dolly Cruz of ANC TV, called in to add her P2,000 donation. Mayor Oscar Gozos of Lipa City personally committed to look after the “Hit & Run” case, extend some financial assistance as well as Phil Health support. Vice Governor Marc Leviste has also promised to monitor and assist Jenelyn. Between Sunday and the rest of the Holy Week, Bessie Arciga of Goodyear has set aside time to coordinate with Victory church in Lipa to help Jenelyn.

I hope that in reading this story you will come to realize that Filipinos are a good people, that heroes have not left town, and helping others and telling others is not about bragging but about encouraging others.