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Kuya Ernesto, the Earnest

Aug 19, 2020
3 min read

by Annika Cuñada

EXCHANGE PARCELS. Kuya Enan, Ninja Van Courier employee, delivers a parcel. Online shopping and deliveries are in-demand amid the quarantine and stay-at-home protocols. © Solis

It was 4:00 A.M., and Ernesto Madlangbayan’s cell phone was ringing loudly. Slowly, he got out of his makeshift bed in the living room and answered the call saying he would be there soon. He peeked into the bedroom where his six small children, four boys and two girls, were sleeping soundly on their banig. Ernesto smiled then closed the door. He went into the bathroom, brushed his teeth, took a quick shower, and got dressed. His eyes drifted off to the wooden frame on the wall. In it, a couple in white smiled happily at the camera. Ernesto fought back tears. It had been almost three months since his wife died, leaving him to take care of the house and their children all by himself. He remembered what his wife had told him on her deathbed, “When I’m gone, promise me you’ll continue to take care of our family.” And that was what he had been doing since then.

He quickly prepared his children’s breakfast and lunch and left it on the table. Then, not having time to eat breakfast himself, he grabbed his helmet and an old cloth face mask and stepped outside to his motorcycle. He made his way down the almost-empty streets while computing in his head the remaining payments for his motorcycle loan. He finally reached the grocery store where he worked as a delivery man, and after listening to barked orders from his manager, he picked up two boxes, strapped them on to the back of his motorcycle, and set off in the early morning sun.

More than 12 hours later, Ernesto was back at their doorstep, having arrived home from work. His eldest daughter opened the door for him. “Mano po, itay. Nakasaing na po ako!” she announced proudly, and eagerly waited for him to remove his mask and wash his hands before hugging him tightly. The rest of his children were waiting patiently at the dinner table, where Ernesto lovingly placed his pasalubong for the day - a couple of canned sardines, a can of pork and beans, and three pieces of ensaymada that were given to him by a kind customer. They said a quick prayer of thanks then proceeded to enjoy the day’s bounty while he regaled them with stories about his day. When they finished eating, Ernesto tucked each of his children into bed, then crawled into his own. And before he knew it, he fell asleep even before his head hit the pillow.

Kuya Ernesto does this every single day. Rain or shine, he endures all the heat, exhaustion, irate bosses, and impatient customers, all the while still grieving for his wife. He risks his life every day to deliver groceries to people in their homes just to make an earnest living for his family. He is one of the thousands of frontliners who are helping the world in their own little way amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep that in mind the next time you encounter people like him, that a few kind words and a few ensaymadas can go a long way (and could even feed a family of seven!). Keep that in mind before losing your patience if the delivery was late for a few minutes or if a box got slightly damaged. Kuya Ernesto is a true hero. My hero. I am the luckiest daughter in the world to have him as my father.

CASH ON DELIVERY. Delivery of package and

cash payment are requisites for Cash on Delivery

(COD) payment. © Solis