Victim

I was victimized, for the first time. And hopefully, the last time.

My wallet was stolen. I’m sure it was between while waiting for a jeepney and that moment I squeezed inside the jeepney along with other people. This is along Buendia and Taft Avenues.

It was raining hard at 7:30am yesterday. I was cuddling my shoulder bag and an envelope bag, while carrying my old blue umbrella. I have a huge bag, stupid me I didn’t attach the clasp. The bag was not wide open, you wouldn’t actually see what’s inside. The thief must just be really quick.

I realized my wallet was gone when I searched for it once inside the jeep to pay my fare. Panicky already, I scrambled everything inside my bag. Cellphone, camera, make-up kit, hairbrush, Eclat, Kleenex and Ipod. No wallet. Sigh. I have no money to pay for my fare!

I went down the jeep without paying the Php8.00 fare. I didn’t look back. I was afraid that the driver might recognize me as a non-paying passenger.

Upon reaching the office, I called Citibank and Metrobank to cancel my credit cards. No transaction was processed for the day, good. Next, I called Landbank to cancel my ATM cards. No withdrawals as of June 5, good.

This is embarrassing to say, but there was only Php50.00 inside my wallet, and some coins, hehehe. I don’t usually bring cash. I’m so dependent with credit/debit cards.  I don’t care about the money (sa kanya na Php50.00 ko!), even the credit and atm cards (I had them blocked anyway, and will be charged Php400.00/each *leche*), and the wallet (err, not really…it’s new, and not yet fully paid *sigh*). I just want my ID’s back. I don’t want to go through the hassle of applying for government-issued ID’s. Imagine the effort, time and cost, it spells problem talaga.

At 11:45am, my desk phone rung. It was Mr. Jun Sahagun, claiming he found my wallet in Avenida. He was able to contact me based on the number shown on my company ID. He enumerated what’s inside my wallet and offered to meet up so he could return it. He lives in Tondo. I couldn’t think straight. I was resigned to not bother about it all. He gave me his cell phone number so we can communicate.

At 1pm, Ms. Rosavilma Sebastian, a barangay secretary of Gagalangin, Tondo, called to inform me that a “concerned citizen” deposited my cards in their custody. Just cards, no more wallet. So, I guess Mr. Sahagun kept the wallet for himself.  Haaaayyy….it’s getting crazier by the minute. She advised me to claim it during business hours.

Good thing I have an officemate who lives in Gagalangin. I asked her to claim the items for me instead.

Haaayyyy….the fact that my ID’s were exposed to some strangers is bothering me. My home address, contact numbers, SSS and TIN numbers…everything were there for them to use for whatever purpose.

OA, but I fear for my safety now.