My dad doesn’t mind commuting around Manila—he sees it as a better alternative to sitting in merciless traffic. But today’s jeepney ride came with an unexpected twist: he got pickpocketed without realizing it. He got his wallet back, only to find the cash had disappeared after some unscrupulous characters, posing as regular passengers, slipped off the jeep.
Most people would react with anger, frustration, or even aggravation. But my dad’s perspective? You’d be surprised.
Assessing the situation, he found it impressive—almost theatrical. These young men had pulled off a seamless act, managing to remove his wallet from a pocket so tight that squeezing it out should have been nearly impossible. And they did it in a jam-packed jeepney, without drawing a single ounce of suspicion.
The stolen cash—nearly a thousand pesos—was a small price to pay for a lesson in awareness. My dad likened the experience to a magic show, where the performers had perfected the art of distraction. The accidental dropping of coins? A clever trick to pull his focus toward the jeepney floor. The movements of the men surrounding him? Carefully choreographed like a well-rehearsed act. It was a collaborative effort of pickpocket artists, honed over time through countless unsuspecting targets.
But here’s the twist in the story.
A fellow passenger turned to my dad just before he got off and said, “Sir, nahulog ata wallet niyo” (Sir, I think you dropped your wallet). My dad, ever the courteous and jolly man, smiled and thanked him—completely unaware that his cash was already gone.
Minutes later, realization set in. His cards were intact, and he was left with 50 pesos—a rebate, perhaps, from the magicians for being a good sport. I laughed when he told me. He smiled, chuckled, and accepted the loss. My dad—one of the most brilliant people I know—had been played.
And yet, he respected the skill behind it.
The Reality Check
In a place like Manila, encountering pickpockets is almost inevitable. Some operate subtly, while others can be violent and brutal. Nobody deserves to be a victim, but we also have a responsibility to protect ourselves.
Whether in crowded jeepneys or in life itself, awareness is key. You can’t always complain about getting the losing end—sometimes, you have to take charge, stay alert, and make better decisions to change your fate.
Sometimes, you just gotta LEARN.
date : Dec 13, 2014
First appeared in my FB page
