Different kind of April Fools': Good samaritan cancels his delivery orders and gives the food to riders as a 'prank'
While some April Fools' pranks can be good-natured and well-intentioned, others can be seriously damaging. Such an example is the act of booking large quantities of food, and promptly cancelling on the hard-working delivery riders.
With the internet reminding others to stop the cruel deed, one netizen decided to put a positive spin on the prank.
"I PRANKED GRAB FOOD DRIVERS THIS RAINY APRIL FOOLS DAY," Vberni Regalado wrote in all caps on his now-viral April Fools' tweet. Although others might turn their nose at first read, he goes on to explain that while he did cancel his orders, it was only to offer the food for the delivery riders themselves.
I PRANKED GRAB FOOD DRIVERS THIS RAINY APRIL FOOLS DAY.
And it’s not what you think. So, I booked some food deliveries, paid for them, and asked the riders to not deliver it to my home — because it’s theirs to bring home to their families and have an amazing dinner tonight. pic.twitter.com/zAkXa95g0o— Vberni (@yesitsvberni) April 1, 2022
In a series of tweets, Vberni shared screenshots of the drivers being ecstatic over his gesture, thanking him and saying how much it would help their family.
"marami pong salamat godbless po sainyo," one of the drivers said.
"Thank you so much, matutuwa po mga anak ko," another shared. "Godbless po. Thank ypu po, naiiyak ako kasi nakakatouch may mga ganitong pagpapala, napakabuti niyo po."
In a subsequent tweet, the drivers even showed Vberni photos of the food they received.
Additional messages from Ate Emily and Kuya Mark. Alam ko pong nakangiti si Mama Emily ko sa langit. Salamat, mama, sa pinabaon mong kabutihan. pic.twitter.com/gjnb0qmwaE
— Vberni (@yesitsvberni) April 1, 2022
With his tweet garnering over 55,000 likes and 10,000 retweets, Vberni shared with PhilSTAR L!fe that he got the idea from the very prank that people have been sharing online.
"I’ve seen a lot of tweets and posts reminding everyone to not pull a prank on delivery riders, especially those who book cash on delivery and cancel after, and the riders pay the price for these misdeeds." Vberni said. "They shell out money, put in time and effort for something that would just be cancelled in the end."
"I feel for them, as most of delivery riders don’t have enough, so I decided to do the prank but in a positive way."
Growing up, Vberni had been constantly reminded by his parents of kindness. He also cites his mother Emily, who passed away in 2020, as an inspiration.
"When I have extra funds, I make sure that I give back to them for making my life easier. I think a big part of this is because my parents taught us to be kind to everybody, as they have been to so many people in our community."
"The help might not be that big, but if it helps them get through the day without thinking of how many deliveries they have to do to make both ends meet, then I am happy," he added.
And by some miracle, one of his drivers was also named Emily, just like his beloved late mother.
"I really felt it was mom telling me that I was doing the right thing," the good samaritan shared.
Coincidentally, one of the riders was named Emily. When I called her to say don’t come here with the food and instead go to her family and eat with them, she was surprised and cried. Really reminded me of my mom who did a lot of things to make our lives easier.
— Vberni (@yesitsvberni) April 1, 2022
Vberni shared that he felt elated after making the effort to give back, proving that giving makes people happy.
"I always believe that our default setting as a human being is to be kind — and kindness comes in different forms. I’m just so overwhelmed that when I posted this, others were saying they will also do the same — to pass on the kindness to others," he said.
"If that deed inspired others to be kind and to share their blessings to random people, then it served its purpose."
Gusto ko lang din i-share sa thread na ito sina mama at papa — sila yung laging nagpapaalala sa akin na kahit gaano kagulo ang mundo, laging piliing maging mabuti sa iba. Wala na si mama, pero baon ko pa rin yung mga turo niya. 💗 pic.twitter.com/dExoqnqN8w
— Vberni (@yesitsvberni) April 1, 2022