11/12/2025
THE ₱20 LESSON I DIDN’T EXPECT
A few days ago, we asked a technician to check our washing machine.
May kakaibang kalampag sa loob—hindi na “quick spin” level, kundi “concert tour” kung umingay. So we called for help.
Pagdating ni Kuya, sabi ko,
“Kuya, pa-check naman. Baka may natanggal na screw.”
He opened the machine, removed several parts, inspected everything slowly and carefully. Mga 15 minutes din siyang nagtrabaho nang tuloy-tuloy.
Then he pulled something out.
Medyo kinabahan ako—akala ko major damage.
Pero sabi niya, “Sir, eto po.”
Isang bente pesos na coin.
Napakamot ako.
“Coin lang pala… siguro mura lang ‘to.”
Pero ngumiti si Kuya at sinabing mahinahon, walang yabang:
“Sir, coin lang po siya. Pero yung binayaran ninyo… hindi po yung coin.
Binayaran ninyo yung paano ko nalaman kung saan napunta, paano ko siya kukunin nang hindi masisira, at paano ko ibabalik nang maayos lahat ng pyesa.
At sir, kung hindi nakuha ‘yan, pwedeng magasgas o mabutas yung drum. Kita n’yo po, pudpod na yung coin.”
Tumahimik ako. Yung tahimik na natawa sa sarili pero medyo napahiya rin.
Kasi doon ko narealize:
ang bilis nating malito between effort and value.
Pag maliit yung nakita—dapat maliit ang bayad.
Pag mabilis ginawa—dapat mura.
Pag “coin lang”—dapat “coin lang din.”
Pero hindi natin nakikita:
Yung years of experience behind every “madali lang.”
Yung tools na pinag-ipunan.
Yung paulit-ulit na pag-aaral at pagkakamali para maging magaling.
Yung skill na pinaghirapan kaya naging “simple” sa paningin natin.
It only looks easy because someone invested years to make it look easy.
And this applies to everyone:
technicians, artists, freelancers, writers, teachers, designers, mechanics, photographers—lahat ng may ginagawa nang may puso at kasanayan.
So next time we think:
“Madali lang ’yan.”
“Mabilis lang ’yan.”
“Ganyan lang yan?”
Let’s remember:
You’re not paying for the minutes.
You’re paying for the mastery.
And that worn-out ₱20 coin?
Simple, oo…
pero ang lesson na bitbit niya?
Priceless.
Credits to the rightful owner😍