Waiter returns $45,000 ring, is rewarded
Close this His salary may be less than minimum wage but it doesn't stop him from turning over a diamond ring worth about P2 million.
For his good deed, resort worker Rodolfo Niere yesterday received a cash reward of P10, 000 and a citation from Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia “for exemplary character of honesty.â€
Niere, 20, was recognized for returning a diamond ring worth $45,000 (P2,070,000 at an exchange rate of P46 to a dollar) that a balikbayan left in their resort during the Suroy Suroy sa Sugbu southern heritage last week.
Another governor's citation went to Nida Abrenica, head of the housekeeping department at Club Serena resort in Moalboal where Sylvia Regis-Gogo left her credit card.
The cash reward came from Gogo, a retired nurse from Iloilo who promised to spread a good word on the provincial government's Suroy Suroy program and the good deeds that Niere and Abrenica did when she returns to the United States on Feb. 11.
“It's wonderful to know that during these times, there are still people who are honest and kind,†Gogo told Niere and Abrenica.
“It only affirms my faith that people are basically good and that you can never underestimate the power of prayers.â€
Gogo said Nerie and Abrenica showed “sheer honesty that I could not believeâ€.
Niere has been working as a waiter and part-time cook at the Mediong Seaside Escape in Boljoon for a year and six months.
Garcia said that their display of honesty is also “another feather added to the cap of the two progressive towns (Boljoon and Moalboal) where they came from,â€.
It was the first time that he found something valuable that a costumer left in their resort.
But Niere did not have second thoughts about returning the ring.
“Wala gyud ko mag-tuo nga mahalon diay kaayo to ang singsing. Pagkakita nako ako gyud dayon gi hatag sa among manager kay lain kaayo nga mag gunit ta ug butang nga dili ato,†said Niere.
Although he was only receiving P2,000 a month, he always makes sure that he will not make a mistake before he needed the job.
Someone who only finished grade four like him does not get in a public elementary school in Boljoon, employment opportunities being scarce, said Niere.
“Wala gyud ko makasabot sa akong gi bati karon (I don't know what to feel),†was all that Abrenica said when sought for her reaction.
Niere, a resident of El Prado in Boljoon, said he did not expect the recognition.
The youngest of four siblings, Neire said he has always tried to give his best when working in order to help his family.
His father died three years ago and he has lived with his mother.
Gogo said she joined the Suroy Suroy with 12 other friends while her husband, Prospero, a retired doctor from Lapu-Lapu City, was in a medical mission in Guihulngan in Negros Oriental.
She was one of more than 200 balikbayans who joined the southern heritage trail the Capitol organized on Jan. 21 to 23.
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