FILIPINO spiker Kenneth Roi Culabat 9 (4th from left) receives a special token from the Ministry of Education Singapore for his honesty after he returned valuable items he found inside the comfort room at the Republic Polytechnic here. Philippine Sports Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey praises the Culabat for his kind act. PSC PHOTO
SINGAPORE–A Filipino volleyball player was awarded a special token by the Ministry of Education Singapore for his honesty after he returned valuable items he found inside the rest room at the Republic Polytechnic here.
Kenneth Culabat, a member of Philippines boys’ volleyball team, found a wallet and Samsung S6 cellular phone inside the restroom situated near the volleyball court where they were scheduled to play a pivotal match against the host country Singapore.
Culabat immediately secured the valuables and gave it to his coach for proper turnover to the officials of the event as Culabat’s team was busy preparing for the match. Apparently, the wallet and the cellular phone were owned by a Singapore volleyball player.
Culabat’s act was greatly appreciated by the officials from the Ministry of Education Singapore, especially by the Divisional Director Student Curriculum Chen Kee Tan. “Great character,” Tan said.
Tan also expressed her appreciation to Philippine Sports Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey for the great character and honesty Culabat has shown.
Culabat, 18, a Grade 12 student at St. Benilde International School in Calamba City, said that he had to return the items to the rightful owner the moment he saw those valuable items left inside the comfort room.
Playing in his first ASEAN Schools Games, Culabat said that he did not expect to gain such attention and appreciation as well for his kind act.
Culabat made sure that he and rest of his teammates were not distracted from their main focus which is winning the match.
The Culabat-led Team Philippines whipped the host country Singapore in four sets, 23-25, 25-16, 25-16, 25-19. Philippines Chef-De-Mission Rizalino Jose Rosales, in an interview, said Filipino students have imbibed the value of honesty. “We are just showing the character that we, Filipinos have,” Rosales said.
“Sarap lang sa feeling. Nasuklian ang ginawa ko,” said Culabat as he received the Nila mascot replica as a token of gratitude from the Singaporean player. Maxey, for his part, said Culabat’s kind act makes him even prouder to be a Filipino.