A GRADE 3 student of the Sto. Niño Central Elementary School, Talaingod District in Davao del Norte returned an envelope filled with cash to its owner, Oliva Alimes Pelias, a teacher at the Pandulian Elementary School in Kapalong East District.

Ashnor Abbas Cadato was with his mother Asleah when he spotted the envelope inside the North Davao Electric Cooperative Office in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on January 4, 2023. When he opened it and saw the money inside, he said he knew he had to return it to the owner.

“Masaya po akong nakita ko ang pera, at alam kong kailangan itong ibalik sa may-ari,” Ashnor said.

He brought the envelope to his mother Asleah and she posted a photo of the envelope with the owner’s name on Facebook. She left the money in the care of the NORDECO security guard as she and her son had to go home to Talaingod.

Meanwhile, Ashnor’s mother Asleah was very proud of her son’s actions.

“Masaya ako kasi ibinigay niya agad sa akin. Hindi niya talaga inangkin, or itinago, masaya ako, kasi napalaki ko silang mabait at may takot sa Maykapal. Pangaral ko sa kanila na wag angkinin ang hindi sayo, hindi kayo nakikita ng may-ari pero nakikita kayo ng Allah,” Asleah said.

Oliva was ecstatic when she found out that the envelope had been found. She said that she lost the envelope after paying her electric bill in NORDECO.

Her niece reclaimed the money because she couldn’t leave her class at that time.

“First and foremost, walang kalalagyan na saya ang aking nararamdaman. Sobrang blessed dahil sa mga kamay na nakapulot ng aking pera. At this hard time, hindi ko lubos akalaing maibalik pa sa akin nang buo ang perang nalaglag ko kahapon. God is so good dahil wala akong stress at pressure na naramdaman kahapon dahil pinaubaya Niya ito sa isang mabuting kamay. Isa akong cancer survivor na madaling makaranas ng stress at pressure, ni isang katiting na pag-alala wala akong naramdaman. Napalaki ng magulang ang isang bata sa pagiging matapat. Values integration in school was instilled in the heart and mind of the Grade 3 boy. Sobrang proud ako sa mag-ina,” Oliva said.

She said the money in the envelope was meant for her medical needs.

“Para sa mga guro huwag tayong mapagod magturo ng values education to our young learners. Maraming, maraming salamat sa mag-inang Asleah Abbas Cadato at Ashnor Cadato. God Bless you more and more,” Oliva added.