Honest OFW came from honest tribe in Vizcaya

By Ben Moses Ebreo, Melvin Gascon
Inquirer Northern Luzon
Posted date: June 04, 2009

BAMBANG, NUEVA VIZCAYA—The Filipino migrant worker, who returned HK$350,545 or P2.1 million in cash and in checks she found in a garbage bin in Hong Kong to its owner, is a member of a local indigenous tribe known for its honesty.
Mildred Perez, 38, is now the toast of her provincemates for her display of honesty, a trait that has been ingrained in most members of the Isinai tribe.

“It is an honor to be honest,” said Andres Perez, 56, father of Mildred. He said honesty was an honored virtue in the tribe.

Although most of the tribal folk lack money, “poverty does not justify a person to steal,” he said.

“Money is temporary and it can vanish anytime but dignity is forever. This admirable virtue is passed on from one generation to another,” he said.

Jobless

The Isinai people rejoiced over reports that government officials were pooling funds to raise P100,000 for Perez, who has been jobless since 2007 when she filed sexual assault charges against her Hong Kong employer.

Hong Kong law prohibits foreigners who have sued their employers from taking up employment until the case is resolved.

Members of the tribe, who occupy the villages of Baag and Banggot, till the land and plant crops for a living. But the harvest is not enough to support their children’s education, thus driving some of them to seek jobs abroad.

One of them, Perez, went to Hong Kong to work as a maid so she could send her children—Jefferson, 17, and Norabel, 16—to college.

Her husband, Eddie Bunde, 37, was left to look after the children. He farms and drives a tricycle.

Husband honest, too

Less than a month before his wife returned the money, Bunde drove Elsa Tugade, administrative officer of Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU), who withdrew P20,000 from a bank to purchase the school’s foundation gifts on March 19.

Tugade was shocked, however, when she found that the envelope containing the money and her identification card were missing.

Bunde, a migrant from Ligao City in Albay, said he noticed the money as it was scattered, after he failed to slow down over a hump. Immediately, he looked for Tugade at NVSU and returned the amount.

“I was going crazy over the lost money. But (Bunde) is honest. I really admire his character,” Tugade said.

“We rarely see this value nowadays because of poverty.”

Proud

Bunde said he was proud of his wife for maintaining her dignity and not succumbing to temptation despite their hardships.

“I am happy that she is honest, too. Though she cannot send enough money to us, we assure her that we can get by,” he said.

On Tuesday, Bunde, along with his relatives in Barangay Aliaga, was celebrating the birthday of his mother-in-law Melda when the Philippine Daily Inquirer paid a visit.

The celebration became more meaningful when they learned about Perez’s honesty and the generosity of people who wanted to donate money to her and her family.

Assistance, resolution

Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Luisa Cuaresma and the provincial board approved on Wednesday the granting of a P50,000 initial assistance to the family of Perez.

In a resolution, the board commended Perez “for her display of exemplary honesty” in returning the money and checks.

“This laudable act of (Perez) is a trait of a true (Novo) Vizcayano that has made us all proud of and worthy of emulation,” it said.

A native of Barangay Aliaga, 19 kilometers from the town proper, Perez used to work as a maid in Hong Kong until she filed sexual assault charges against her employer.

Collecting recyclables

Out of job, Perez has since been supporting her stay in Hong Kong by collecting and selling recyclables, such as soda cans.

In one of her rounds through trash cans on April 29, she found a bag containing cash and checks worth HK$350,545. Perez traced the owners of the money and returned it. Out of gratitude, they gave her a can of cookies.

“What (Perez) has found could have already ended her misfortunes, but then the good values and the inherent honesty instilled [in her] at a young age by her honest and strict father reigned in her heart,” the board resolution said.

“That is how Novo Vizcayanos, particularly Bambangueños, are,” Cuaresma said.

Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla also filed a resolution commending Perez.

“By returning the money, Perez has demonstrated that the traits of honesty and trustworthiness are not lost among the Filipinos even abroad,” Padilla said in the resolution.

“Moreover, she has set an example worthy of emulation which deserves the full appreciation and deep gratitude of the Filipino nation.”