Honest taxi drivers: It’s more fun in the Philippines

A taxi driver who surrendered a bag of valuables that was left in his cab by three male German tourists has become the country’s latest example of why it really may be getting more fun in the Philippines, where visitors often don't expect to get their stuff back.   The bag, which Sotero Canonoy found inside his taxi on the night of March 23, contained a laptop, a PlayStation Portable (PSP), a cell phone, a wristwatch, some clothes and medicines.   According to Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., Canonoy’s action “exemplifies the innate goodness of our countrymen.”    “It gives support to the positive image we wish to portray through our ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ campaign,” Jimenez said in a statement. “We want to highlight these good news as normal than unusual.”   According to reports, Canonoy ferried the tourists from SM Mall of Asia to NAIA Terminal 1. With assistance of GMA Network, Canonoy sought the owners of the bag.   According to the statement, the Department of Tourism (DOT) learned of Canonoy’s deed through radio dzBB.   Canonoy's mother, Nanay Cita, a participant in the first Survivor Philippines reality TV series in GMA, suggested that they seek assistance from the network to trace the owners of the items.     The DOT said efforts are now focused on gaining more leads from NAIA authorities and the German Embassy to determine the identities of the tourists and ensure that the belongings are returned to them.   “This is what we mean by tourism is everybody’s business.  Each little good thing adds up to the fun picture of Philippine tourism. And as important as the first impression upon arrival are the good memories that a visitor brings with him until he departs.  In this particular case, the DOT is pleased to note that the DZBB team perseveres in helping resolve this matter.  We all are part of the tourism experience as we all are likewise, beneficiaries.  We all need to do our share of good, for tourism to make a dent in our economy and in our respective lives,” Jimenez said.   The DOT chief also enjoined the public to share more good news through the agency’s Twitter (@DOTPhilippines) and Facebook (Department of Tourism) accounts, as well as through its new campaign website http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com.   Other honest taxi drivers   Canonoy was not the first honest taxi driver reported. In December 2010, Numeriano Balais returned a wallet with more than eleven thousand pesos to its owner.  A few months earlier, another taxi driver Efraem Aguilana returned a bag with valuables and Canadian dollars to its owner, also with the help from dzBB. In July 2009, George Rafols found a cellphone that was left in his cab and surrendered it to GMA Network, where the owner was able to claim the lost phone.   A year earlier, Confessor Rase approached dzBB news anchor Mike Enriquez for help, and was able to return a bag containing a laptop, $1,000 cash, two cellphones and six passports to its German owner. Maybe in the fun future, returning lost items will no longer be news. - Carmela G. Lapeña/KBK/HS, GMA News