Here’s to what makes us more humane.

A 57-year-old taxicab driver, despite his measly income, has no second thoughts about returning the money left behind by a passenger.

James Palma said he ferried a couple from a hospital along General Luna Street to the Iloilo Central Market at about 10 a.m. on Monday, September 23, 2024. But when the passengers hopped out and he proceeded to attend to another passenger, a black bag was found on the backseat.

He checked the bag and found that it contained P200,000.

He said he immediately reached out to the owners and returned the money in the afternoon of the same day.

The owners were so glad that someone like James would go the extra mile to trace them; more so, return quite an already huge amount.

James said it was easy for him to return the money because he always thinks of the owner first on top of his personal struggles.

He said that money is easier to find when you are always in the pink of health. So, he prays for good health on top of other concerns.

He also has in mind the feeling and situation of what it is like to lose money, so temptation does not have power over him.

The money, he learned later, was for the hospital confinement of his passenger.

In Hiligaynon, he expressed that he went teary-eyed and he felt a squeeze in his heart. He said that what he found was - just money. If one is in good health, one will always have the opportunity to earn money.

James was invited to come to the couple's home in Pavia town to thank him personally. On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, the passenger pursued confinement at the hospital as scheduled.

He said that no one should keep anything that he does not own. Anything that does not belong to someone must be returned. This golden principle in life makes it easier for the floodgate of blessings to open, he said.

“Mangamuyo lang ta nga kaluy-an permi byahe ta (Let’s all pray that our trips get favorable returns every time),” James said.