It’s more fun – and honest – in the Phl

MANILA, Philippines - A French tourist found out that it’s not only more fun in the Philippines, it’s a lot safer, too – thanks to an 11-year-old boy.

Angelique Decouture of Roquefort, Les Pins, France left her black leather bag on the Ohayami passenger bus that she took from Manila to Banaue last June 18. She did not realize her bag was missing until the next day, and by the time she reported the loss to the police, her bag – with all the contents intact – was waiting for her at the police station.

Justin Taynan, an 11-year-old Grade 7 student of Banaue’s Immaculate Conception School, found the bag in the bus and, together with his aunt, immediately brought it to the police station. Aside from cash in local and foreign currencies valued at more than P45,000, the wallet also contained other valuables such as ATM cards, said Senior Inspector Orlando Bakisan, the town’s police chief.

Decouture was vacationing in Ifugao to see the famed rice terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ifugao Gov. Denis Habawel described Taynan’s honesty as the “innate goodness of a man.”

“This young man epitomizes what a true Pinoy is. Good news is always a shot of good and warm feelings,” said Joseph Brillantes , a local resident.

“The boy’s parents must be congratulated for raising him up with such values,” another local resident said.