How far can your 100 peso bill go?

I was walking home today when I was approached by a mother and daughter. I could see in the daughter's eye some hesitation, saw her lips quivering and with head downcast try to get my attention. She reached out and timidly ask to hear her plea.

Tis the story of going to Manila and looking for a data entry job that both mother and daughter could do to eke out a living for their family. Of a father that can no longer work because of a construction accident. Of five other siblings that need to go to school in order to have a fighting chance in life. Of they buying a bio data form and printing their resume and giving it to the firm.

They recount how relieved there were when they were told they passed and will be offered a job. They would be starting Monday but would need to undergo a Medical examination costing 500 pesos each. Their joy turned to sorrow as they hardly have enough money to even go home. They asked to go and just return when they have the money but the recruiter was insistent that they needed to do it now since they would be starting tomorrow. Sorrow turned to fear as the doors were locked and the recruiter grew more hostile and threatening. They needed to pay now and do the medical exam. Pleading they say they don't have any money and to just let them go. They were asked to open their bags and the "office" personnel rummaged through it and even scoffed they did not have even a cellphone. Taking what was little was left and escorted them out.

I could see it in her eyes the pain, the anguish of such a humiliation. I can feel the distrust of being scammed and taken advantage like that because they absolutely needed it. I see how she swallowed her pride just to ask for help. Her mother has this far away look and never said anything the whole time we talked.

I get angry on situations like this because coming from HR swindling people and worse threatening people like this is such a low point. You are there to give hope and see the potential in people but to do this in order to make a quick buck just makes me so angry.

I asked why they did not go to the police and report it and with a long sigh the daughter said she just wants to go home. They do not feel that they have a voice and why would the police listen to them. The person dressed well and was wearing long sleeves and a tie. Why would they believe her a simple lass from the province against someone who was educated and far from her station. I see this in a lot of people. That unconscious sizing up of people. Whenever you see someone you mentally assess if they are above or beneath you. It is biological. This is the theory of the Alpha.

Even I am guilty of this and I assess people everyday. I interview and quiz them on their background and can usually distinguish an Alpha at first glance.

I sigh and pat her shoulder and give her passage to go home. You may judge me as being swindled or sweet talked by a woman. That I succumbed to a regular sob story and got duped but to me what if it was real. What if that is what really happened.

We have all grown cynical in this day and age. We all think that everyone has an angle. Yet whenever we see a story in Social Media of a person feeding a homeless man, or a social experiment video showcasing that there is still some goodness in the world we immediately like and even share it. We even say to ourselves that if that happens to me I would help without any second thoughts. Yet you will walk away from people like this. You will rationalize it is none of my concern. You might even say that it is a scam but that does not make me any less of a human for believing in people.

Yet tonight that 100 pesos bill that I would have used to buy coffee would go to make that mother and daughter believe that there is still good in the world. That not everyone is out to take advantage of people. That 100 peso would take them home to their family and where it is safe. To me that was money well spent to help a fellow human being in need.

Source
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_one_hundred_peso_note