What P100 Can Do

I had a late dinner last night. Like most nights, I bought my food from the turo2x in front of our dorm.

As I was choosing my viand, the nice lady who owns the place asked me, ‘Maam, pautang naman…’ I thought she was kidding. Without hesitation, I said, ‘Next week pa sweldo eh.’ Then I realized that she was serious. I asked her how much she needed. And she said, ‘One hundred lang Ma’am. Biglaan kasi ang pagbayad ng uniform ni Junior.’

I never gave it a second thought and said yes immediately. I was surprised that she bluntly asked to borrow, but I was more shocked at the amount. . . One hundred?

When I got back to my room, after giving her money, I realized how small the money meant to me. It’s not because I have a lot, because I certainly don’t. But P100? My Jollibee lunch alone last weekend cost me P130. But the P100 she asked for is today’s capital for the food she’d cook and sell.

It’s rather sad because I know that she is a hardworking person yet she is not financially compensated. Personally, I am not comfortable living without at least four figures in my treasure box. I am money-conscious. At my young age, I understand the value of saving and I intend to fill my bank account. I don’t know how I could manage without money. In many ways, she is better and stronger than the rest of us. She could live each day still being nice despite the difficulties.

It made me appreciate the blessings I have and made me realize how much I, too, can give back to other people.

Had she asked my father, taken that he has money, I can imagine him saying, ‘Okay na po ba ang P100? Eto po, P200 para may allowance pa.’ I know I made the right choice when I did not hesitate.

PS: I offered P200. . . She was very thankful and repeatedly promised to give it back on Tuesday.