Capitol awards honest workers of two resorts

Cebu - Two employees of beach resorts were given recognition by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for returning valuables to a balikbayan who joined the Southern Heritage Trail caravan of the “Suroy-Suroy Sugbu” project from January 21 to 23.

Nida Abrenica, 42, head of the housekeeping section of Club Serena Resort in Moalboal, and Rodolfo Niera, 20, a waiter at the Mediong Seaside Escape Resort in Boljoon, received a governor’s citation “for upholding and demonstrating exemplary Cebuano traits of honesty and deep sense of integrity in returning to the owner her lost US credit card and diamond ring worth $45,000.”

The owner Sylvia Regis-Gogo, 70, a retired nurse from West Virginia, along with her husband, Prospero joined the three-day caravan with other balikbayan friends.

Abrenica said she found Sylvia’s credit card while she was cleaning the couple’s room last January 22 after the two had checked out. Immediately after finding it, she informed her colleagues of the incident so she could return the lost item to its owner.

On the morning of the third day, Sylvia who was having breakfast at the Mediong Seaside Escape Resort left her diamond ring beside her plate. The piece of jewelry was found placed inside a plastic, wrapped in tissue paper.

Sylvia said she hurriedly left the resort for the next stop of the caravan and forgot all about the ring. “I never thought nga mabalik pa ni nako. It’s not the amount akong gikagul-an, it’s the sentimental value,” Sylvia told reporters before the simple awarding and recognition rites at the old Capitol session hall yesterday.

According to Sylvia, the ring is “so precious” to her because it is a gift from her husband on their 40th wedding anniversary.

Sylvia, who hails from Leyte, joined the Suroy-Suroy Sugbu along with her husband, a native of Lapu-Lapu City, and 12 balikbayan friends. They are scheduled to attend their 55th nursing class reunion.

“I’m so glad there are still honest and kind Cebuanos,” Sylvia said.

Aside from the citation given by the provincial government, Abrenica and Niera received monetary reward from Sylvia.

Garcia praised Abrenica and Niera, saying she is deeply touched by their honesty. “Napakita nila nga ang mga Sugbuanon mga matinud-anon, angayang ipasigarbo,” Garcia said in her speech.

In an interview with reporters, it was learned that Niera from El Pardo, Boljoon, without hesitation, took the ring and reported the matter to his manager.

“Pagkakita nako nga valuable item man diay ang sulod sa plastic, wala ko maglangan pag-inform sa akong manager para mauli dayon sa tag-iya,” he said.

Niera, an elementary school graduate who worked at the resort for 18 months already, said he has always valued honesty despite receiving a meager salary. — Garry B. Lao/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)