It was on a rainy night last week when I had a most unusual evening. It was 10pm, yet I was in a Barangay Hall talking to two (2) tanods about a woman who was lost. The woman claimed that she came from Antipolo, then to Cubao but missed the last trip to Bicol, then to Las Piñas to go to a friend’s house. There’s just a problem. She knew the area but not the exact address, not even the street or the subdivision.

Let’s move back to 30 mins. earlier. I noticed that a disheveled, thin, woman got off from a yellow tricycle and gave the driver 100 pesos fare. She was carrying a canvas overnight bag. It caught my attention ’cause it was unusual. (That trike is not from that subdivision; most people riding the trike walk from the main road; 100 is more than the usual trike fare). I was the last in line so the woman stood next to me.

“Where’s _____? Is this ___?”

“Yes.”

“Is this the correct tricycle terminal?”

“Yes? Which street are you going?”

“I don’t know.”

I looked closely at the woman’s face. She couldn’t look straight. She had shifty eyes and was looking at her phone intently. Much closer than a person usually would.

I asked her why didn’t she know the address, whether her “friend” knew that she was coming, what her friend’s number was, what her reason for going to Las Piñas was.

I didn’t get any clear answer. She just said that she’s communicating with her via FB Messenger. I asked to see the message. She didn’t show it or maybe she couldn’t, for at that time, I surmised that the woman is unstable and my gut was telling me that something’s off.

Although I was talking to the woman in a soft voice, I could sense that the others in the queue were getting interested. An old woman who was seated on the bench echoed what was on my mind–to bring her to the Barangay Hall.

So I did. I was tired. Before reaching that tricycle terminal, I had been commuting for about two (2) hours wearing my heels and Office Filipiniana because I couldn’t book a ride for an hour (and couldn’t wait any longer). But I couldn’t leave her there, knowing her state.

—-

The two (2) tanods, R & S were helpful. They didn’t seem surprised at our arrival. I mentioned the situation. They asked the woman the same questions. She still couldn’t reply properly. We got her name and her “friend’s” name. The latter was still unreachable.

I left after 20mins. after getting assurance from the Barangay tanod that they will either bring her to her friend or bring her to the bus terminal next day (fare c/o the Barangay). They will also give her food, esp. after the woman said that she only ate a biscuit. A quick glance showed that her phone’s battery is at 22%. I told the tanod to please allow her to charge. I was also relieved when a woman officer/tanod arrived just as I was leaving.

Abie was worried. She messaged “Mama, uwi ka na.” And “Ingat ka, Mama. Baka scammer yan.”

I said no. I would know. The woman didn’t ask for money or help. She needed help and I couldn’t just turn away.

Author’s Notes:

This incident happened on 23 July 2024.

I hope that the woman is well.