MANILA, Philippines – What began as a simple act of gratitude by a jeepney driver has turned into a life-changing milestone for his family, as his son is now set to join the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as a newly recruited civil engineer.
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| Photo courtesy: DPWH/Facebook, GMA News |
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon met on Thursday with the viral jeepney driver, Edwin Recososa, and his son, Dave Recososa, whose story captured the hearts of netizens after Edwin offered free jeepney rides to celebrate Dave’s success in the November 2025 Civil Engineer Licensure Examination (CELE).
The emotional moment was first shared in a TikTok video uploaded by user @jujiiihhh, who said she was deeply moved by the driver’s selfless gesture. The uploader added that she felt proud as a fellow daughter of a jeepney driver.
The story later gained wider attention after being featured by media outlets, including The Summit Express.
In the viral video, Edwin was seen offering “libreng sakay” to his passengers for one whole day as a thanksgiving for his son’s board exam victory. While commuters enjoyed free transportation, netizens recognized the deeper sacrifice behind the gesture, the lost income of a full day’s work.
During his visit to the Bucana Bridge, Secretary Dizon personally thanked Edwin for his inspiring act.
Moved by the family’s story, Dizon encouraged Dave to apply at DPWH and formally offered him a position as a civil engineer at the DPWH Davao Regional Office. With this, Dave becomes one of the new recruits who will help fill the agency’s estimated 2,000 job vacancies nationwide.
“Maganda 'yung pagpasok mo kasi marami tayong gagawin next year. Kailangan natin ng fresh blood. Bago. 'Yung hindi kamukha nila Brice Hernandez, nila Alcantara,” Dizon told Dave.
“Nakakapanlambot ng puso ‘yong ginawa ni Tatay Edwin na nilibre niya ng pamasahe ‘yong mga pasahero for one day, noong pumasa ng board si Dave. Mahirap ‘yon ah, ‘yong walang kita ng isang araw. Doon mo talaga makikita ‘yong pagmamahal at pride ng isang tatay na ‘yong anak na pinaghirapan ng pag-aaral, ay nakapagtapos, engineer pa man din,” Dizon said.
“Gayahin n’yo si Dave, magtrabaho kayo sa gobyerno. Kasi kung tayo, mawawala na ng gana, magagalit, at wala tayong gagawin, walang mangyayari, hindi magbabago.”
“Pero kung gagayahin natin ‘yong ginawa ni Dave at Tatay Edwin, na kahit puwede naman siyang magtrabaho sa private, pinili pa rin niyang magtrabaho sa gobyerno, ibig sabihin noon, may tiwala sila na puwede pa tayong magbago at may pag-asa pa tayo,” the DPWH secretary added.
For Dave, whose journey to becoming an engineer was powered by his father’s long years of driving a public utility jeepney, the offer marked not just professional success but the fulfillment of a family dream.
“Ito po ang bunga ng sakripisyo ng tatay ko,” Dave said in a brief statement.
As Dave prepares to start his career in public service, Edwin continues to drive with renewed pride; no longer just ferrying passengers, but also carrying a story of hope that has touched thousands across the country.
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express