Akyat-bus "story telling a lie"

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They board buses, stand by the first rows of seats and deliver speeches, holding passengers hostage to their stories. There is one objective: appeal to the emotion of people to give money.

Man #1 came from Mindanao. He said poverty forced him to come to Manila. Claiming he has no other recourse and rather than earn money via illegal means, he has chosen to “do this” (board buses to ask for money). He said he will use the money to go home and build a boat for their livelihood. He distributed envelopes for passengers to put whatever amount they wish.

Man #2’s brother died. They have no means to pay for the funeral expenses. He did not elaborate on why the brother died but held up a death certificate during his speech that would hopefully validate his story. He said everyone is welcome to look at it if they wish to do so. He also gave out envelopes.

Man  #3 came bearing pens. He said selling pens is his only way of sending his children to school and feeding his family. He gave out a small flyer that stated his name and story as he went down the bus aisle. I thought it was honest of him to say upfront that what he is doing is for the family, without any elaborate, made-up sob story. And at least he was selling something. So it is not mendicancy.

The bus moved and I looked out the window. I saw another man walking towards another bus behind us, holding the same box of pens and the same little flyers. I felt the muscles on my face twitch in disappointment. While the simplicity of Man #3’s story rang true, he was apparently not unique. I did wonder about the colored printed flyers on one-fourth bond paper. 



 "I am an X in an indeterminate equation. And that X is the rock upon which I stand." - Mario Puzo

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