Fil-Am named Taxi Driver of the Year for returning $300,000

LAS VEGAS.—It’s been almost a year since he returned $300,000 cash left in the back of his taxicab two days before Christmas in 2013, yet Gerardo Gamboa still gets asked, “Why? Why did you return the money? Why didn’t you keep it for yourself?”

Gamboa’s answer remains the same: “It was the right thing to do! It was honesty. It was the only thing to do!”

A taxicab driver for 25 years, spending his past 14 years working for Yellow Checker Star Cab Company in Las Vegas, Gamboa made headlines worldwide last December. The media “darling” was on the news again recently when he was named 2014 Taxicab Driver of the Year by the Taxicab Limousine & Paratransit Association  at TLPA’s 96th Annual Convention & Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas in October.

It was the first time that a taxicab driver from Nevada and a Filipino American won the prestigious honor at TLPA’s annual event, the world’s largest gathering of for-hire fleet executives.

Alfred LaGasse, chief executive officer of the TLPA, said Gamboa was selected for the Taxicab Driver of the Year award because of his honesty, outstanding ethics, and dedication to customer safety.

“The story of the $300,000 shows just what kind of a person Gerardo is,” LaGasse said. “But let’s also not forget that he’s an exceptional taxicab driver who, in his 14 years of service, has never once had an accident, never once been late to work, and never once received a customer complaint. He is truly deserving of the admiration of his colleagues in the industry.”

A few days after receiving his award in San Antonio, Gamboa and Elsa Baluyot Gamboa, his wife of 28 years, granted PNews an interview in the couple’s modest yet comfortable two-bedroom apartment in Las Vegas.

The Gamboas fondly recounted the events of that fateful day, with Mrs Gamboa proudly pointing out her husband’s numerous plaques and awards of recognition from Las Vegas public officials, including an autographed photo and letter of congratulations from President Obama.

“I’m very proud of him,” she beamed.

Gamboa recalled how he found the money, in six neat stacks of $100 bills, left in a small shopping bag in the trunk of his cab by a high-stakes poker player. After finding the money, Gamboa immediately called his dispatcher, then his wife.

“I was at work when he called to tell me what happened, and I told him right away, ‘you have to return it,’” said Mrs. Gamboa, who works as a slot representative in one of the Strip casinos.

Her husband quickly added, “I know! I know what I had to do, because I was already on my way to my dispatcher to turn in the money. I never even thought about keeping it, not even once!”

Gamboa soon after met with authorities, who tracked down the poker player. Gamboa received $10,000 reward from the money’s owner, but he is just as pleased, if not more so, with the recognition he feels he has given to the Filipino American community in Las Vegas and worldwide, especially during the typhoon that devastated the Philippines last November.

Bill Shranko, CEO of Yellow Checker Star Cab Company, was the one who introduced Gamboa at the TLPA conference in Texas. Shranko told PNews that he told the audience that Gamboa was not only an inspiration to everyone in his profession, but to the Filipino American community as well.

“Gerardo’s actions were able to provide an uplifting moment for the people from his home country of the Philippines who were suffering from the effects of a typhoon at the time,” Shranko said.

“I’m happy that my story gives Filipinos a positive image,” said a serious Gamboa. “I want the ‘kano (mainstream Americans) to see that we’re not all the same negative images portrayed in the media. We are honest people. Kahit anong classing trabaho natin (whatever type of job you have) just do the right thing, be a professional at all times, respect everyone and be honest. Share your blessings and blessings will come to you.

“Elsa and I have a good life here,” Gamboa continued. “We eat at least three times a day, no overdue bills. And, if I wanted some money, I will work hard for it!”

With the reward money, the Gamboas bought a used car and took a trip to Florida to visit their daughter Kristilyn and grandson, Maximus. They also donated money to their church.

Gerardo and Elsa Gamboa originally hail from Pampanga, Philippines. Gamboa was living in Ohio when his uncle suggested he begin a letter correspondence with Elsa Baluyot back home After a year as penpals, Gamboa returned to the Philippines in 1986 where he met Elsa for the first time. They were married shortly thereafter. – Rappler.com

This article was republished with permission from Philippine News