After a productive lifting session in the gym, I go to my girlfriend's school to fetch her and invite her for a walk and dinner. It was just another ordinary day, or so I thought, until an unexpected encounter set in motion a chain of events that would leave me contemplating about humanity.

With my muscles still pulsating, I made my way towards my girlfriend's school, eager to whisk her away for a delightful evening of dinner and conversation. As we strolled along the streets, lost in our own world, we stumbled upon a familiar figure: a lady we frequently encountered in the park. She has huge plastic bags draped over her weary shoulders, a testament to her laborious day. Her face, etched with lines of exhaustion, exuded a sense of weariness that pulled at my heartstrings. The small bench she sat upon seemed to be her sanctuary, her solitary refuge amidst the chaos of the world.

A couple of days prior, my girlfriend and I found ourselves sitting on that very bench. Our eyes met the old lady's, and a shared empathy passed between us. In that moment, I went to a street food stall and grabbed some kwek-kwek and palamig. I approached the vendor and asked for not just one, but two cups of "palamig" drink—one for ourselves and another for the tired lady in the park. My girlfriend observed in silence, her thoughts concealed behind a veil of mystery.

The vendor, sensing the genuine compassion that radiated from us, studied the lady on the bench. His eyes mirrored our empathy, conveying a depth of understanding that transcended mere words. As we prepared to pay for the drinks, a sudden wave of the vendor's hand caught us off guard. His voice carried a note of gratitude as he declared that the beverages were on the house, a small token of appreciation for our kindness. A surge of gratitude welled up within me, I was shocked by the thought and kindness of Kuya.

This encounter reinforced my faith in humanity. In a world full of indifference and prejudice, we must not forget that one small act of kindness can create a ripple effect with a multitude of outcomes.