18 August 2004 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Delia Domingo Albert congratulated Filipino taxi driver in New York Nestor Sulpico for his virtuous display of plain honesty when he made headlines in New York City and here back home on 16 July 2004 for returning jewelry worth thousands of dollars that were left in his yellow cab to their rightful owner.  “I commend and congratulate Nestor for giving a face to the Filipino conscience and showing the world that we can count on ordinary people to be honest and trustworthy even in the face of so much adversity and cynicism in today’s world,” Secretary Albert.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York City fêted Nestor 47, of Jaro, Iloilo in a ceremony at the lobby of the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue.  During the ceremony, Consul General Cecilia B. Rebong read President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s letter thanking Sulpico for his good deed and commending him for demonstrating to the world the Filipino virtue of honesty. Rebong was followed by Deputy Consul General Melita Sta. Maria Thomeczek who read a Certificate of Recognition signed by the Consul General for Mr. Sulpico’s “honesty and humility which have become a source of pride and inspiration to all Filipinos.”

When it was his turn to speak, Sulpico said he returned the jewelry because he felt it was the right, if not the only, thing to do under the circumstances.  He also said he was raised by his parents to be honest and felt really good about what he has done. He thanked President Arroyo for her congratulatory letter.  He also thanked the Consulate for organizing the night’s ceremony.  The most touching part of Sulpico’s speech was when he said that what he has done is really nothing extraordinary but something that all of us are capable of doing.

Officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General and the Philippine Mission, representatives from the Fil-Am media and key leaders of the Filipino-American community in the tri-state area attended the ceremonies.  END.