Gensan trike driver praised for helping lost Batang Pinoy athletes

In General Santos City, where some commuters complain about rude or overcharging drivers, one tricycle driver is breaking stereotypes — not with words, but with kindness.

Amid the rush of the Batang Pinoy 2025 national games, a group of young athletes from Quezon City found themselves lost and tired along the streets of General Santos City.

That’s when Joel Padrones, a tricycle driver from Barangay Tambler, spotted them.
Instead of turning away, he stopped and offered them a free ride.

“They didn’t know their way around. It was already late, so I gave them a ride and helped them find their hotel — no payment, nothing in return. Not everything is about money,” Padrones said.

Using his own phone to navigate, Padrones safely brought the athletes to their hotel — refusing any fare, saying it was enough to know they reached their destination safely.

His small act of kindness spread online, earning praise from locals and netizens alike, who called him a model of compassion and honesty.

City officials said Padrones’ gesture restores public trust in Gensan’s public transport workers — many of whom, they noted, quietly serve with integrity every day.

From a simple tricycle ride came a powerful message: service, sincerity, and kindness still drive many of Gensan’s everyday heroes. And for one trike driver, that’s worth more than any fare.