Sunday morning, December 15, 2025. In all of Barangay San Roque, Mang Temyong and his tricycle, nicknamed “Luntian” (Green), were legendary. He had driven it for fifteen years—it was the lifeline that sustained his family and put his only son, Paolo, through school.
Paolo had just graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was happy, but a heavy cloud of worry hung over the father and son.
“Tay (Dad),” Paolo said, his head bowed at the dinner table. “I won’t enroll in a review center in Manila. It’s too expensive. I’ll just work in construction for a while to save up.”
Mang Temyong shook his head. “No, son. Your mind is still fresh. You need to become an Engineer this year. It would be a waste to stop now.”
“But Tay… where will we get the 25,000 pesos for the review, the dorm, and the allowance? We have no savings left.”
Mang Temyong didn’t answer. He just stared out the window at where Luntian was parked.
The next day, Paolo was shocked to see his father in tears as he handed over the keys of the tricycle to their neighbor, Pareng Gardo.
“Tay?” Paolo called out, his voice trembling.
Mang Temyong handed him a thick envelope. “Take this, son. This is the payment for Luntian. It’s enough for your review center, dorm, and allowance.”
“Tay! Why did you sell it?! What about you?”
Mang Temyong gripped his shoulder firmly. “A tricycle can be replaced. But your dreams cannot. Just bring that license home to me—that is all I ask.”
Paolo left for Manila with a heavy heart. Every night, while studying Calculus and Physics, he pictured his father carrying heavy sacks at the market to make ends meet.
“For Tatay,” he whispered, sipping his coffee in the dead of night.
The day of the Board Exam came—and then, the long, grueling wait for the results.
When he returned to the province, he and Mang Temyong went to a local “pisonet” (internet cafe) to check the list. Paolo’s hands shook as he typed.
“It’s still loading, Tay…”
When the list appeared, Paolo searched for his name among the passers. Macaspac… Madlangbayan… Magtanggol…
“Manansala” was not there.
Paolo went cold. He looked at his father, his voice cracking. “Tay… it’s not there… I didn’t pass.”
Mang Temyong’s shoulders slumped, but he forced a smile. “It’s okay, son. Maybe next time…”
They were about to leave when the computer shop attendant suddenly shouted. “Hey, Paolo! Are you crazy? Why are you looking there?! Check the Top Notchers!”
Paolo clicked on the Top 10 list. And there, at the very top…
RANK 1: PAOLO S. MANANSALA – 98.80%
Paolo froze. Mang Temyong stood still. They read it over and over—it wasn’t a dream.
“Tay…” Paolo whispered.
Suddenly, Mang Temyong’s knees gave out. He fell to the floor of the computer shop and sobbed uncontrollably. “MY SON IS TOP 1! LORD, THANK YOU! LOSING LUNTIAN WAS WORTH IT! ALL MY HARD WORK WAS WORTH IT!”
Paolo knelt down and embraced his father. Both cried their hearts out in the middle of the shop. “You are an Engineer now, son… and you’re Top 1,” the father sobbed. “This is all because of you, Tay.”
Weeks later, their story went viral on the news. Companies were scrambling to hire Paolo. With his signing bonus, the first thing he bought wasn’t a house or a car…
It was a brand-new tricycle. Painted in gold. On the back, it was written: “FRUIT OF TOP 1.”
He handed the keys to Mang Temyong. “Tay… you don’t have to exhaust yourself anymore. I’ll take care of everything now.”
Mang Temyong hugged the new tricycle—but he hugged his son even tighter, the true fruit of his ultimate sacrifice.