I was strolling yesterday in Colon street, Cebu City to have my sunglasses fixed. The sun was shining mightily on that hot summer day. I was just one of the thousands of shoppers and strollers in Colon, known as the oldest street in the country since 400 hundred years ago. It was lunch time. So I decided to have some langhap sarap experience in nearby Jolibee to enjoy their famous Chicken Joy.
On my way to Jolibee, I noticed there was a commotions happening in front of Collonade mall. A jeepney was burning in the middle of the street. I saw no passengers. Only the driver who jumped like crazy from his seat and hurriedly opened the engine compartment under the seat. The fire was visible from where I was standing 15 meters away. The fire was gettimg bigger and there's nobody trying to help him put out the fire. He was alone in the middle of the street doing everything to save his dear jeepney from total destruction of fire.
The scene sent me back to my past, when I was still a young struggling driver in Manila. I saw my self in that panicked stricken driver. There was fear, confusion, sweat, adrenaline and struggle to have the presence of mind in order to save the car from getting burned entirely. It is very dangerous to put out a fire of a burning car. The gasoline only needs a fraction of a second to catch fire and explode. Just imagine a half tank of gasoline exploding in your face...death is almost certain. I had my share of driving a car tha burned from inside. It was horrible! It was traumatic!
It took me about 5 seconds to realize no one is trying to help the poor driver. Everybody just watched the spectacle with open mouths. I was among them. Shame on me! That driver obviously needs help. So I decided to be a hero. Tadadadang!
I walked towards the burning vehicle while assisting the traffic jam thats slowly forming behind the burning jeepney. Then I asked nearby jeepney drivers if they have a gallon of water. Jeepney drivers normally carry a gallon of water with them for their old leaky radiators. I asked every driver that slowly passed the burning jeep for a galoon of water. There was none.
Still determined to help, I went closer to the burning jeep. I asked the driver if its a diesel engined jeepney and he said "yes". Diesel fuel don't burn as fast a gasoline when there is fire. It means that risk of explosion is lower. I should know this, I am a mechanic myself. A gold medalist mechanic to be exact many years back. So I went closer to the burning vehicle, went to the other side and opened the door. It was hot. The door needs to be opened so that when fire extinquisher or water become available, it can easily be sprayed or thrown through the opened doors.
Part 2
I knew its only a matter of seconds before more super heroes will come. There were dozens of establishments nearby with fire extinquishers. As time passed by, the smoke was getting thicker. I could smell the burning plastics and wires that hurts my nostrils and eyes. I grabbed a burning matting cover from inside the jeep to prevent it from spreading the fire. I succeeded. I went back to do something more.
Suddenly, something hit my face and hands. I felt something bites my skin. The engine must have exploded! I was hit by something liquid from inside the burning vehicle! It must the be a hot water from the exploding radiator, I thought. Oh my God! I got burned with a boiling water from the radiator! At least that was what I thought.
Two decades ago, I was stupid enough to open the radiator of an overheated engine of my taxi. The radiator water which was twice hotter than a normal boiling water from a pot sprayed all over my face and hands. The burn prevented me from driving for the next three days. The pain was too much to ignore.
Now I am sure that the liquid that bites my face was of the same kind that burned me many years back. Oh my God! What did I do?!!! I was too stupid to get near of the burning car! Here comes the stupid hero, got burned by an exploding radiator!
So I stepped back. More liquid were still spraying towards me. Then I realized the liquid came from the other side. It was from a fire extinquisher being sprayed by a fellow super hero, a security guard from collonade mall. Whew! Thanks God it was not a boiling water that hits me. The fire was out. Yehey!
I asked the driver if he's okay, injured or something. He said he's fine. So I figired out the service of spider man is no longer needed. I left. I was sweating, yet smiling. I felt good and very proud of myself. But no clapping came from the spectators. No girls yelling and running towards for a selfie with antrue super hero. No policeman or any government agents patting my back. And most definitely noTV Camera and reporter chasing me for an interview to be showed for the evening's breaking news. It was just an ordinary day where people get to witness an event and nobody cares to help the victims. Superheroes only exist in the movie. In real life, they are unappreciated and endangered species.
Back to the story, that security guard was a real hero. He saved that jeepney from certain total destruction. Saving that jeepney was beyond the line of his duty. In fact, theres a good possiblity that his employer might charge him the refill cost of that fire extinguisher. I don't know him, but I salute him.
Me, I helped because some needs help. I'd do it again if I have to. Many years ago, I realized that helping someone in dire need at thier most helpless moments gives me an unexplanable happiness and satisfaction. It felt so good its addicting. I was offered rewards, jobs and some money. I refused them all. God knows how many stalled cars I helped push, start, towed, fixed or even changed tires for female drivers. Thier 'Thank you' and calling cards were more than enough. Helping is a way of expression. Rewards and compensation ruins the spirit and magic of helping.
I wrote this article not to paint my self as an Angel. I'm too selfish and flirt to be one. I'm writing this article to share the ecstatic feeling of being able to help a stranger in their most helpless moments. Seeing thier eyes so grateful is an unexplanable feeling. You definitely feel like a superhero, it makes you feel good for many days or even weeks.
Yes, anybody can be a superhero once in a while. Just extend a hand to someone at the most unexpected moments. But don't ever ask for compensation. The real reward is feeling good inside you because you made someone happy by giving it voluntarily. A pat in the back is enough. A sincere 'thank you' is enough. But don't take money. Don't take jobs. A kiss? Maybe, if it comes from a beautiful girl. He he. A bottle of beer? Yes, DEFINITELY!
By : Jun Abines
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