Every penny matters, especially during these financially challenging times, and finding a bag full of money could probably look like God’s answer to one’s prayer. That is not the case for Reynaldo Quiros, a 47-year-old security officer from Tarlac City, who returned a bag with passports and ₱35,000 cash that was found near the entrance gate of the Adventist International Institute for Advanced Studies campus around 9:30 p.m. on August 8, in Silang, Cavite, Philippines.
Quiros was bound to do his regular rounds that night when he noticed a bag unattended near the AIIAS gate. Out of curiosity, he looked closely at the bag and realized it was filled with important documents and a huge amount of cash.
“Nakita ko po na may bag sa làbas ng gate kaya kinuha ko po agad at tiningnan kung ano ang nasa loob. Nakita ko po na may laman itong mahahalagang documento at malaking halaga ng pera [translated: I saw a bag outside the AIIAS gate. I went to get it and check what was inside. The bag has several passports in it and cash worth ₱35,000 (US$623)],” Quiros said in a phone interview.
“Dinala ko po agad yung bag sa Security Department para I-report yung pangyayari at para gumawa ng hakbang para maisauli yung pera [translated: I immediately reported the incident to our Security Department and resolved to return the money to its owner promptly],” he added.
The following day, Quiros and AIIAS Security personnel contacted the bag’s owner and returned everything accordingly. The owners were thankful to have the documents and money returned. The owners were grateful that the money ended up in the hands of Quiros, who was moved to do the right thing and return the money to its rightful owners.
Quiros works for the Leian Line Security Agency, Inc., currently the campus' security service provider. He has served in the AIIAS Security Department for more than 24 years. He shared that he had several experiences in the past where he found unattended items, but this is by far the most significant amount across which he came.
When asked about keeping the money for himself, Quiros said, “Nangangailangan din naman po ako lalo na sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, pero hindi po dahilan yun para gumawa tayo ng masama sa iba. Gusto ko pong lumaki ang mga anak ko ng may integridad, katapatan, at takot sa Diyos. Gusto ko pong maging mabuting halimbawa sa kanila [translated: I also have needs, especially with our financial challenges, but that does not give us the reason to do bad things to others. I want my children to grow up with integrity, honesty, and fear in God. I want to set a good example for them].”
On August 15, Dr. Ginger Ketting-Weller, AIIAS president, together with administrators and staff of the campus, acknowledged Quiros for his excellent deed during the corporate worship.