Was a leader and always a model.

   I own a dive shop in Timog Avenue, Quezon City and I have been seeing an old man around his 70's regularly removing paper ads on light posts and hanging banners around Barangay Laging Handa. His name is Jose "Pepe" Pimentel. He was the host of the famous Kwarta o Kahon show which started in 1962 and aired for 38 years.

   I was in Mercury Drug Store this morning and saw him leaving the place. I was paying at the counter when he came back with a handful of trash on his right hand asking the guard where the trash bin is. The guard offered to take the trash from him but he refused saying: "Huwag na, ako na lang, madudumihan ang kamay mo." (No, it's okay. I will do it, your hand will just get dirty.) I smiled as I knew it was naturally him. I stopped him for awhile and said: "Sir, saludo po kami ng pamilya ko sa inyo. Sana kayo pa din po ang Barangay Kapitan namin." (Sir, my entire family salute you. We wish you are still our Barangay Captain). "Ah talaga? Salamat, masarap makitang malinis ang kapaligiran. (Oh, really? Thank you, it's nice to see a clean surroundings). He was the Barangay Captain of Barangay Laging Handa.

   I am sharing this because this will remain in my heart, memory and on the net. This man is an inspiration to me. When I see him cleaning the road everyday, I cannot fathom, I am amazed as the kind of individual he is. Can you imagine if all of us are like him? Can you imagine how clean this country will be??

   I am like him. I was thought by my parents not to throw trash anywhere but the the trash bin. Even my college friends would tease and act throwing trash and I would pick it up and put it in my pocket or in my bag. It is not at all a hard gesture.

   I just wish that Pepe Pimentel is still our Barangay Captain. He was a fine one :D