My husband and I have 20 million pesos in savings but we don’t give it to any of our children. We each take care of our own lives. Everyone criticizes us for being stingy, but we never expected that exactly 1 year later…

My wife and I, Antonio and Rosalinda , have been doing business all our lives in Batangas. We don’t spend lavishly, and we save every peso. After decades, our savings amount to 20 million pesos 

The three children knew their parents had money, so they hinted:

“Parents should divide it among siblings first, so there won’t be any disputes later.”
“When you’re old, transfer some money to ease your mind…”

But Rosalinda and I were adamant:

“We earn this money ourselves. Whenever we need it, just say so. For now, each one, take care of his own life — each man for himself!”

Reactions and criticisms

Relatives and neighbors in the barangay sneered:

“You only have three children and you don’t give them any money. What’s the point of keeping money when you’re old?”
“Is the money for outsiders to enjoy?”

The three children were sullen and spoke coldly. On holidays, they only stopped by for a few minutes, sometimes skipping meals.

One year later – a shocking decision

After a year, Rosalinda and I invited all our relatives and neighbors to the barangay cultural house. In the presence of the ward chief, lawyers, and the press, we announced:

“The entire 20 million pesos will be donated to establish the Rosalinda – Antonio Cruz Scholarship Fund , supporting poor students in the mountains of Mindoro.”

National television reported. The whole country knew about “Two grocery store owners in Batangas donate all their assets to do good.”

Children’s reactions

Eduardo, Marites and Rafael were stunned. The three of them went home, crying and blaming:

“Don’t parents love their children? Why give them to outsiders?”

Mrs. Rosalinda said gently:

“Since the day you found out that your parents have money, all you think about is sharing it. Has anyone asked: May sakit ba kayo? Kumakain ba kayo ng maayos? – Are your parents sick? Do you have enough food and medicine?
If you loved your parents, you wouldn’t have turned your backs on them just for a few million pesos.”

Midnight Call

A week later, Marites called in the middle of the night, her voice choked up:

“Nanay, tatay… I was wrong. I thought you were testing us…”

In short:

“We don’t test anyone. We just don’t want to raise three children… only to see three strange figures at the end of our lives.”

Continuous

After that day, Rafael, the youngest, quietly returned to Batangas every weekend, helping with the grocery store and cooking with his mother. Eduardo began calling to check on his parents’ health. Marites brought her grandchildren back more often, though she did not dare to mention money again.

The scholarship fund also began to award the first scholarships. On the day of the scholarship distribution, children in clean uniforms, bright eyes, holding envelopes, bowed to me and Mrs. Rosalinda.

She looked at me and smiled softly:

“You see… these are the ‘children’ I want to see happy.”

I held her hand tightly. In my heart, those 20 million pesos had found a place more worthy than any safe.