THE FATHER SOLD HIS TRICYCLE TO FUND HIS SON’S REVIEW, AND THEY FELL TO THEIR KNEES IN TEARS WHEN THEY SAW HIS NAME ON THE BOARD EXAM RESULT

Mr. Stuart and his wife, Mrs. Scott, were well known throughout the county. She lived in the village for fifteen years — raising her only son, Paolo.

Paolo had just finished a degree in Civil Engineering. He was happy, but there was a mixture of sadness and heaviness on his father.

“Dad,” Paolo said as he bowed to the dinner table. “I don’t want to go to the grocery store anymore. It’s expensive. I’m just going to work on construction to save money.”

Mang Temyong shook his head. “No, son. Your brain is still fresh. You have to be an engineer this year. It would be a shame if you stopped.”

“But … where are we going to get $25,000 for reviews, dorms and allowances? We don’t have any savings.”

Mo Temyong didn’t answer. He just stared at the window where Luntian was parked.

The next day, Paolo was shocked to see his father crying as he handed the keys to the tricycle to their neighbor, Pareng Gardo.

“Daddy?” cried Paul, tearfully.

Mang Temyong reached for a thick envelope. “Take it, son. Pay it to Green. It fits in your review center, dorm, and allowance.”

“Dad! Why are you selling?! How are you?”

The Emperor shrugged his shoulders. “The tricycle has been replaced. But your dream is not. Give me the license — that’s all I ask.”

Paolo walked out of Manila with a heavy chest. Every night, while studying Calculus and Physics, he thought of his father carrying a sack in the market.

“For Dad,” she whispered as she sipped her coffee.

The day of the Board Exam came — and then the long wait.

When he returned to the village, he and Mo Temyong went to the Pisonet to check the results. Paolo’s hand trembled as he typed.

“Loading pa po, Tay…”

When the list came out, Paolo looked for his name on the list of passers-by.

Macaspac…

Madlangbayan…

Magtanggol…

There is no “Sinner.”

Paolo froze. He looked at his father. “Dad… No… I didn’t.”

Hongjoong’s shoulders fell but he forced a smile. “That’s okay, son. Maybe next time…”

They were about to leave when suddenly the computer shop guard shouted.

“Uy Paolo! Tanga ka ba? Ba’t d’yan ka tumitingin?! Check mo ’yung Top Notchers!”

Paolo finished in the top 10.

And in the first place…

RANK 1: PAOLO S. MANANSALA – 98.80%

Paolo was stunned. Mang Temyong was stunned. They read over and over again — not dreams.

“Dad…” Paolo muttered.

But Zhao Ming’s knees gave way. He knelt on the floor of the computer shop and sobbed.

“MY SON! LORD, THANK YOU! GREENTIAN’S LOSS IS WORTH IT! IT’S WORTH MY TIREDNESS!”

Paolo also knelt down and hugged his father. He and his father were crying in the middle of the shop.

“You’re an engineer, son… and you’re one of the best,” cried the father.

“It’s because of you, Dad.”

A few weeks later, they made the news on TV. A lot of people have taken a swipe at Paolo. With his signing bonus, the first thing he bought wasn’t a house or a car…

A brand new tricycle. Golden. On the back is written:

“KATAS NG TOP 1.”

He handed the key to the key.

“Dad… you don’t have to be tired. I’ll take care of everything.”

Mang Temyong embraced the new tricycle — but he hugged his son more tightly as a result of his sacrifice.