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Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Cleaning woman returns P95T found on cine seat
By Lovely Lady Villanueva
Sun.Star Correspondent
SHE could have used the money to settle her family’s debts or pay her way through school.
The amount, P95,000, is more than Ingrid Cabrera, 19, could dream of earning as a utility worker. But she followed her conscience and returned the money.
Cabrera, of Able Services, was doing routine work in Ayala Center Cebu Cinema 1 around 3 p.m. last Monday when she found a plain white envelope stuck between an armrest of a seat and the cushion.
Without checking what the envelope contained, Cabrera threw it into the garbage can because it looked dirty.
But when a P500 bill fell out, she realized that the envelope held a bundle of cash. She took the envelope without counting the money inside.
She first thought of keeping the money to pay back her family’s debts and for her siblings’ tuition.
The second of four child-ren, Cabrera is the family’s sole breadwinner.
Returned
Her eldest sister, who recently graduated from Cebu Normal University with an education degree, is still looking for a job.
Her conscience stopped her from taking the money. She said it would not be right to spend money that is not hers.
She turned over the money to her supervisor, Ronnie Logarta, and to the head of security of Ayala Cinema, Reynante Jarabi.
Logarta said they immediately counted the money so they could give it back to its owners.
A few minutes later, a couple from Dipolog City who had come to Cebu to pay some hospital bills claimed the money and verified the amount.
Logarta said the couple gave Cabrera an amount to show their gratitude.
Cebu Holdings president Rene Almendras also rewarded Cabrera with a gift check.
“We want this to be put on public record that a good deed like what Ingrid has done should be acknowledged. We are truly thankful and happy with what she has done,” he said.
A break
Almendras said they are willing to pay for Cabrera’s tuition if she decides to go back to school.
Cabrera stopped during her first year in education at the Cebu Normal University to help her family.
This is the third job for Cabrera, who started at an export firm, polishing fiberglass. She also worked in a bakery for three months after her previous company closed.
This is not the first time Cabrera displayed her honesty while with Able Services.
She said that one time, she also found a wallet containing P6,000 and returned this to its owners.
“She should be given a break. Somebody who has shown honesty and integrity is an asset to our educational system in the Philippines. We will be offering to pay for P10,000 every year for four years for her to go back to school,” Almendras said.
But Cabrera is not yet sure if she wants to go back to school. She is more concerned with helping her family out.
“I don’t have plans to go back to school because there is no one who can provide food for my family. I am happy and thankful to Sir Rene for offering me a chance to go back. But I don’t mind the exhaustion from work just as long as I can help my family and provide food for them. That is all that I want,” Cabrera said in Cebuano.
(May 11, 2005 issue)
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