MANILA, Philippines – One loyal bus commuter finally reaped his reward vacation courtesy of his patronized bus liner after being their passenger for four years in college.
Horaze Kyle Lozano, an Education student of Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) enjoyed a three-day, two-night vacation to Baguio after his story went viral online. The vacation included free round trip tickets and accommodation in a high-end hotel with his family and girlfriend.
“Talagang sobrang saya kasi po biyahe po with family na malayo-layo po talaga, na magkakasama kaming tatlo. And may bonus pa po na kasama ko po ‘yung aking girlfriend na sobrang memorable po sa kanya itong trip na ito kasi it is her first time to travel to Baguio City.,” Lozano said. (It is so much fun because it is a family trip on a somehow far place, all of us three. And with a bonus that I have my girlfriend with me and it is memorable to her as it is her first time to travel to Baguio City.)
It all started with a dare
In an interview, he stated that keeping bus tickets started with a dare between his classmates at BPSU.
Nagsimula po ang pag-iipon ko ng ticket nang napag-isipan po naming magkakaklase na mag-ipon talaga ng ticket o magparamihan kami ng ticket dahil lagi po kaming sumasakay doon sa bus, Lozano said. (I started keeping tickets when me and my classmates think of keeping tickets or daring ourselves who will keep the most tickets sincw we all commute on buses.)
He said that there came a time when his classmates opted for ordinary buses instead and he was the one remaining on keeping tickets.
On May 29, Lozano posted his creative graduation shot on Facebook, jokingly asking a reward from two bus liners being their loyal commuter. The creative shot went viral as he wore all of his bus tickets as academic regalia. As of writing, the post had garnered 22,000 reactions and over 5,500 shares on Facebook alone.
“https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fhorazekyle.lozano%2Fposts%2F2280037325396990&width=500”
“Baka naman Genesis at Bataan Transit. Graduation Gift! One week na libreng sakay naman diyan o kaya Baguio,” he said on his Facebook post. (Hey Genesis and Bataan Transit. [Maybe a] graduation gift! One week free fare or a Baguio trip.)
Lozano stated that he opted to commute for two hours from his hometown of Mariveles to Balanga City rather than renting a dormitory near his school.
“Close na close po kami ng family ko. Kaya po mas ginusto ko pa pong umuwi, kasi gusto ko pong makikita sila araw-araw. Tapos ‘pag uuwi ka po nakaluto na si Nanay tapos yung paborito ko pa.” he quipped. (I am very close with my family. That is why I opted of commuting back and forth, because I want to see them everyday. Then everytime I went home, my mom will serve me my favorite dish.)
Wish granted
One of his patronized bus liners made the joke a reality and granted his wish a day later. Genesis Transport Service Inc. offered him a free round trip to either Baguio or Baler, whichever he preferred.
“We’re proud to be part of your journey, Kyle. Dahil diyan, sagot na namin ang roundtrip Joybus ticket mo papuntang Baguio o Baler + 3 days and 2 nights hotel accommodation,” the bus company said on their Facebook post last May 30. (We’re proud to be part of your journey, Kyle. Because of that, we are giving you a free roundtrip ticket to Baguio or Baler plus three days and two nights hotel accommodation.) Lozano accepted the reward and chose to go to Baguio.
On his graduation ceremony, staff from the said bus company even attended his graduation rites to personally commend him and give the reward.
Despite his virality online, Lozano reveals that he was still not used of his sudden social media fame. “Ang pakiramdam ko po is pinaghalong masaya po saka medyo nahihiya kasi po hindi po ako sanay sa sobrang laking atensyon na binibigay sa akin ng ibang tao,” he said about
