I was out taking a sunset swim and left my shirt and flip flops on the beach, like usual. There are very few populated beaches in the world where it's safe to leave your things unattended, but Boracay beach is one of them. But this time when I came out of the water, a lifeguard was there to meet me, looking concerned. He explained that some drunk guy had walked by and tried to knick my flip flops but the lifeguard saw it, ran over, and stopped him. He sent the drunk guy on his way and waited for me to come out of the water let me know. The lifeguard couldn't have been more gracious. It was no big deal – just a beat up, sandy pair of flip flops (I never leave anything of value) but it blew me away that he still took so much pride in his beach that he went to such great lengths to be of service. I thanked him profusely in Tagalog – salamat po – and he said “I don't like when drunk people bother the nice people on my beach." Then, he bowed ceremoniously and said "Your welcome,” as if he was thanking me.
The lifeguard turned around and grabbed his pink swim board and started running down the beach to the next station.
"How cool is that?" I thought. What a great example he set. I hope I can live up to that - it's the attitude I want to have every day whether I'm doing my job, being a gracious guest to another country or just trying to be a good human being - I want to hold that same pure intention of benevolence and service.
“Thanks again!" I yelled after him. "By the way, what’s your name?”
“Anthony! " he called back. " You are very welcome sir!” and ran off to do his next good deed on the beach. Very cool. People like that should get more credit.
On a daily basis I’ve been amazed how cool and friendly the people in the Philippines are, but my new brother, Anthony, definitely earned some shine. I only have two weeks left here but I’ll be sure to go find him one day, and the other lifeguards, to buy them lunch and take a picture with them or something. But if that doesn’t happen for some reason, if our paths never cross, I want acknowledge him with a bow of my own, another "salamat po," and let him know that I’ll pass it on.
Update - I ran into Anthony by the beach today and thanked him and took this photo with him. He was still humble and diffusive as ever! Feel free to add him as a friend on Facebook and thank him for being a great guy and an amazing lifeguard, too.
"How cool is that?" I thought. What a great example he set. I hope I can live up to that - it's the attitude I want to have every day whether I'm doing my job, being a gracious guest to another country or just trying to be a good human being - I want to hold that same pure intention of benevolence and service.
“Thanks again!" I yelled after him. "By the way, what’s your name?”
“Anthony! " he called back. " You are very welcome sir!” and ran off to do his next good deed on the beach. Very cool. People like that should get more credit.
On a daily basis I’ve been amazed how cool and friendly the people in the Philippines are, but my new brother, Anthony, definitely earned some shine. I only have two weeks left here but I’ll be sure to go find him one day, and the other lifeguards, to buy them lunch and take a picture with them or something. But if that doesn’t happen for some reason, if our paths never cross, I want acknowledge him with a bow of my own, another "salamat po," and let him know that I’ll pass it on.
Update - I ran into Anthony by the beach today and thanked him and took this photo with him. He was still humble and diffusive as ever! Feel free to add him as a friend on Facebook and thank him for being a great guy and an amazing lifeguard, too.
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