I almost shed my tears

“I love the Philippines!” that’s a praise I heard at work. But here’s the catch, I wasn’t uttered by any of our kababayan but rather an unlikely person I least expected to say it…it was a foreigner!

Ok here’s the story of it. It was my few minutes until my off from work when this elderly, Caucasian woman entered our store to buy some gifts for her husband’s birthday. Since I wasn’t doing anything at that time and my co-partner was at the POS waiting for her to pay, I approach her to lend a hand. Of course, I spoke at her in English. Then to my surprise, she answered in Filipino! Even my co-partner at the POS can’t believe what he heard. To start a conversation, I asked her how long she has been living here in the country and she proudly said “20 years and counting.” Then after some chit-chat she paid her merchandise. It so happened that the one she bought was a Starbucks t-shirt with the Kape Vinta Blend logo on the back. I shared her that Kape Vinta was the 1st coffee beans from the Philippines that made it to Starbucks. After she had her ohh’s and ahh’s as I explained the beans, she immediately bought it without question! She said to me that she loves the country so much and nothing will make her happy than buying products that are proudly Filipino. After her transaction, she said her sweet goodbyes.

As she left the store, I couldn’t keep my tears back. I’m so deeply touched how she care for the country she and her husband loved so much. How pitiful to think that the irony of that was that most Filipinos will condemn this country to hell. How I wish she can tell our countrymen why it is worth it to live here. How I envy her and if only my countrymen will be like her then this country is way on the way to success.

Jasp, if you can read this blog, think about what the old lady said. Think and reflect. Don’t be rash on your judgement and THINK constructively.