10-anyos na batang babae, nakapulot ng P10,000 at isinauli sa may-ari na isang Lola!

It’s often been said that honesty is the best policy. A 10-year-old girl practiced this adage into action when she decided to return a huge amount of money to its owner. The amount was approximated to be PHP 10,000.

According to ABS-CBN News, Lola Carmelita Zafra dropped an ampao containing the said amount when she went shopping to Puregold Sta. Mesa in Manila.

In an interview with “Bandila,” a late-night news program, she shared, “Diyos ko, nangangatog ako! Pangbayad ko ng amilyar ‘yan! Bigay ng anak ko na isa!”

At that exact moment, a father-and-daughter pair was also shopping in the area. The father, Almar Marcelino, shared:

“Ito (gestures to his daughter), may hinahanap na candy o chocolate, andoon sa may counter din. Tapos sabi niya, nakita niya ‘yung ampao. Lumapit siya sa’kin, tapos sabi niya, ‘Papa, may pera.’ Eh makapal nga, marami! So kinabahan ako. Sabi ko, ‘Ang dami niyan!’ Tinuro ko siya doon sa counter, doon sa may customer service. Sabi ko, ‘Doon, isasauli natin dun.'”

When they approached the supermarket’s customer service area, they chanced upon Lola Carmelita who was already in tears. Arabella – who was fondly nicknamed “Ara” – immediately returned the red envelope with the Php 10,000 to her.

The 10-year-0ld girl said, “Kasi po baka po kailangan niya po ‘yon. Si papa lang po ‘yung nagsabi kasi po mahalaga daw po ibalik ‘yung pera kasi ‘di naman raw po sa’min.”

Meanwhile, Almar and his OFW wife praised the good deed of their daughter. The father said, “Tuwang-tuwa po mama niya, proud na proud. So ako rin, proud din sa kanya dahil… pero alam ko naman talaga na ano siya, honest. Sobrang (nakaka) proud.”

Lola Carmelita added, “Ang magulang ang ano eh, naghuhubog sa anak. Natutuwa din ako dun sa tatay kasi hindi siya nagka-interest eh.”

Ara also shared a message with her fellow youngsters and to adults who might chance upon a lost money. She said, “‘Pag may nawawalan ng pera, ibalik nila.”

As a gesture of gratitude, one of Lola Carmelita’s children gave the 10-year-old a PHP 500 for the latter’s act of honesty. Ara noted that she will use the money to buy herself school supplies.