Pension day was always the busiest of days, and that fateful morning last year in June was no exception. Filled with the hustle and bustle of the pensioners, the room matched the mood of its crowd. There were numerous grey-haired people, but one client made an impression. She was your typical, chatty Lola who would indulge you with her opinions on even the most trivial things. As I assisted her with her queries, she was engrossed in telling me about her experiences in other UnionBank branches. She told me that it was her first time transacting in our branch. She said, “Madalas akong nagtatransact sa ibang branch kaso hindi ko tanda mga pangalan nila, makakalimutin na talaga pag tumatanda.” “That’s normal, Ma’am,” I said with a smile. 

Finishing her transaction, I noticed that she had a hard time standing up and something was bothering her. She seemed a bit worried and embarrassed, so I asked if there was anything wrong. “Hindi po ako makatayo, Sir, kasi nalalaglag yung shorts ko. Nasira po yung butones.” I offered to help by devising a makeshift belt out of straw rope, but it did not fit around her waist. With the help of SSA Ana Victorino, we made an improvised belt out of rubber bands! We knotted the bands one by one to fit around her waist and fasten her pants. She was so happy that she was able to claim her pension and at the same time go home feeling more comfortable with her rubber belt. 

It was–for lack of a better word–a very “fun” experience, one that I will not soon forget. Now, when she inquires over the phone, she would often recall what we had done for her. Every time she would drop by the branch for her pension, she would greet us each by our names and say “Thank You.” Always, she remembers our names.  

MAGIS and UBUNTU aren’t just seen in grand gestures. They are present even in the simple way of knotting rubber bands, especially if this is done with a heart of service for the good of our clients