A GRADE schooler from Davao del Norte has been praised for his “honesty” and integrity after he returned an envelope full of money owned by a cancer survivor teacher.

According to the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Davao, Ashnor Abbas Cadato, a 9-year-old Grade 3 learner of Sto. Niño Central Elementary School, Talaingod District, returned a lost envelope filled with Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) money to its rightful owner, a cancer survivor teacher, Oliva Alimes Pelias of Pandulian Elementary School in Kapalong East District.

Cadato said he was with her mom Asleah when he spotted the envelope on the ground in North Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO) Office in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, on January 4, 2023.

He opened the envelope and saw cash money, and he immediately knew he had to return it to the owner.

“Cadato po akong nakita ko ang pera, at alam kong kailangan itong ibalik sa may-ari,” Ashnor said.

Cadato brought the envelope to his mother, Asleah, and she posted a photo of the envelope with the owner’s name on Facebook to find the owner.

She then left the money to NORDECO security guard as she and her son had to go home to Talaingod.

Pelias was “shocked” to find out that the envelope had been found, as she had been searching for it for hours.

Pelias said that she lost the envelope after using part of the money to pay her electric bill in NORDECO.

She was then relieved when someone informed her that the envelope, now containing P2,000, had been found. She instructed her niece to claim the money because she was in her class then.

“First and foremost, walang kalalagyan na saya ang aking nararamdaman. Sobrang blessed dahil sa mga kamay na nakapulot ng aking pera. At this hard time, hindi ko lubos akalaing maibalik pa sa akin nang buo ang perang nalaglag ko kahapon. God is so good dahil wala akong stress at pressure na naramdaman kahapon dahil pinaubaya Niya ito sa isang mabuting kamay. Isa akong cancer survivor na madaling makaranas ng stress at pressure, ni isang katiting na pag-alala wala akong naramdaman. Napalaki ng magulang ang isang bata sa pagiging matapat. Values integration in school was instilled in the heart and mind of the Grade 3 boy. Sobrang proud ako sa mag-ina,” Pelias exclaimed.

The teacher explained that the money in the envelope was meant to cover some of her medical needs, as she needs vitamins to strengthen her immune system as a cancer survivor continually.

“Para sa mga guro huwag tayong mapagod magturo ng mga values education to our young learners. Maraming, maraming salamat sa mag-inang Asleah Abbas Cadato at Ashnor Cadato. God Bless you more and more,” Teacher Oliva added.

Meanwhile, Ashnor’s mother, Asleah was very proud of her son’s actions because he has a good heart at an early age.

“Masaya ako kasi binigay niya agad sa akin. Hindi niya talaga inangkin, or itinago, masaya ako, kasi napalaki ko silang mabait at may takot sa Maykapal. Pangaral ko sa kanila na wag angkinin ang hindi sayo, hindi kayo nakikita ng may-ari pero nakikita kayo ng Allah,” Asleah said.

Cadato has since been praised by his classmates, teachers, and netizens for his honesty and integrity. His actions serve as a reminder to all that honesty and kindness can go a long way.