Goodwill as Investment By Apolinario B Villalobos Investment does not involve money always. It can also be in the form of goodwill which sums up kindness, benevolence, concern, care, favor, generosity, amity, and helpfulness. Doing any of those may be translated into an amount of money that we can afford or even by just our action which does not cost anything at all. In fact, the simple smile that parts our lips is an expression of kindness and care. The return of this investment comes in the form of trust or even the same act that we did to somebody. And, those whom we helped may not be the same who would “return” the favor. Most of the time, this happens. One day, I was talking to a former colleague in an airline company who retired for almost ten years now. He told me that he thought he would enjoy having a lifetime free travel benefit that our former employer gave us. He realized however that discounted hospital accommodation or medical check up would have been better instead. He thought of this when he failed to get assistance from their only son for his planned prostate operation. His son told him that he is also having budgetary constraints, adding that his enlarged prostate is just benign, so perhaps, he can forego with the operation. He did not force the issue. But he confided that his son is maintaining two cars, one for himself and the other one with a driver for the use of his two kids who go to an exclusive school. He told me that his son is a top level manager in a well known IT company and his family lives in a posh exclusive village. He narrated these without any disappointment in his voice. My friend and his wife are still living in their home in a low-cost subdivision in the suburb of Manila. With them is the son of their former laundrywoman who just died of TB. They practically considered the boy their own now as no relative came to claim him. With their combined pensions, they are helping the boy through high school. He is now on his second year. At this time, they refuse to talk about college as they do not know where to get the money, as of yet. In order to earn, the boy sells vegetables that he planted in an adjacent vacant lot. Late in the afternoon, he would harvest and bundle some of the vegetables for delivery to the market as early as 5:00 of the following day before going to school. For this he earns between Php120 and Php150. On weekends, after delivering vegetables to the market, he would peddle some around their subdivision for extra cash. He uses his earnings for his daily allowance in going to school. My friend and his wife take care of the tuition and other expenses in school including the uniform. The couple showered the boy with love and care. They provided him with shelter and kindness. In return, at a young age, the boy reciprocated with the same love and care, treating them as real parents. He said that during his 67th birthday, the boy promised him and his wife that he will take care of them as long as they are alive even if he will not be able to finish college. He celebrated his birthday in Luneta as it was a Sunday, after attending a Mass in Quiapo. The boy treated them afterwards to a budget meal in the nearby burger joint. It was his best birthday celebration..ever! (Note: Quiapo is a busy commercial district in Manila City, noted for its centuries old cathedral, and where Catholics attend Mass during Fridays, the day being devoted to the Black Nazarene.)
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 01:48:39 +0000
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