Tricycle driver who offered free rides on his birthday shares story

Thousands of netizens were inspired by a tricycle driver who offered free rides on his birthday.

On Oct. 18, one of the lucky passengers of Rogelio Aguilar in Valenzuela City took photos of the sign placed inside his tricycle that read: “Free rides po tayo today ... it’s my birthday celebration.”

“Salute po ako kay kuya ang bait po nya,” wrote Marilou Llobrera, who posted the photos which soon became viral.

“Kasi sa hirap po ng buhay ngayon instead na kumita pa sya buong maghapon nagawa pa rin po nya magbigay ng libreng sakay para po sa mga tao,” she added.

In an interview with GMA News, Rogelio said he also dealt with financial struggles brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, things got so bad that his wife had to work abroad.

“Dumanas rin po kami ng sobrang paghihirap. May mga oras na akala mo pawis ang dumaloy mukha ko yon pala luha,” he said.

Rogelio said there was even a time he didn’t earn money for three days straight, but he remembered to be grateful for what little he had.

Despite facing hardships himself, he decided to offer free rides on his birthday.

“Doon ko nadama kung gaano kasarap sa pakiramdam na nakatulong ka sa kapwa,” he said.

“Kitang kita ko sa mukha nila ang labis na kagalakan. Kaya ipinangako ko na na tuwing birthday pag bigyan ako ng Panginoon ng lakas na pangangatawan magpalibri sakay bilang pasasalamat sa kung anong mayroon kaming mag-asawa.”

Giving free rides was also Rogelio’s way of “giving back” to the riding public for keeping his family afloat all this time.

“At bilang paglingon na rin sa mga pasahero na bumubuhay sa sakin at sa lahat ng namamasada. Kaysa mag iinom ako ang kaya ng alak at pulutan,” he said.

“Samantalang maliit na bagay man lang o halaga ang ubusin ko sa gasolina which is marami nman ang makinabang.” – Margaret Claire Layug/RC, GMA News