At the foot of Kennon Road to Baguio, there is a small and old workshop owned by Mang Ben.

Mang Ben is known as the “Doktor ng Makina” in his area. Even though his tools are old, he works neatly and has a keen sense for cars.

One Friday afternoon, while Mang Ben was wiping off grease, a shiny new model SUV pulled up. Don Ricardo, a billionaire developer, was in it, along with his wife Melissa and their five-year-old son Bimboy.

Don Ricardo got out, wearing expensive shades and a polo shirt.

“Hey, Manong!” Don Ricardo called without even greeting.

“Look at my car. I hear a creaking sound underneath. Hurry up, we have a reservation at the hotel. I’m in a hurry.”

Being used to rude customers, Mang Ben just nodded.

“Okay, Sir. Let’s just put it on the lift so I can see the bottom.”

While the car was up, Mang Ben checked the chassis, suspension, and brakes. At first glance, everything looked fine. The car was brand new.

But when he checked the brake lines at the rear, his eyes widened.

There was brake fluid leaking. But it wasn’t from rust or wear and tear.

The brake hose had a clean cut. A cut made with a cutter or pliers. It was deliberately cut slightly—not completely, but just reduced in thickness so that when going down a steep road and braking hard, it would give out and burst.

A trap.

A planned accident.

Mang Ben got out from under the car. He was pale and sweating profusely.

“Oh, what’s the problem? Can you do it for 15 minutes?” Don Ricardo asked impatiently.

“How much? I’ll pay you anything, just hurry up.”

Mang Ben shook his head.

“Sir… I won’t fix it.”

Don Ricardo frowned.

“What won’t fix it? Are you lazy? I’ll pay you!”

“Not like that, Sir,” Mang Ben explained, his voice shaking.

“I can’t touch it. And you can’t leave either.”

Don Ricardo exploded with anger.

“Why are you so busy! I’m in a hurry! If you don’t want to do it, take it down and I’ll have someone else do it! Your workshop is worthless! I’ll make sure I close you down tomorrow! I’ll call the Mayor!”

Fearing that something bad might happen if he immediately reported the sabotage (perhaps someone was watching), Mang Ben wanted to let him go with the request.

But Don Ricardo quickly got into the car.

“Get down!” Don Ricardo shouted to Mang Ben’s assistant.

Scared by the rich man’s scream, the assistant lowered the lifter. Don Ricardo immediately started the engine.

“Let’s get out of here! What a waste of time!” Ricardo shouted as he backed away.

But before the SUV could leave the gate, Mang Ben ran into the middle of the road.

Page: SAY – Story Around You | Original story.

He blocked the vehicle with his own body! He was lying in front of the oncoming SUV.

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

“Get out of there! I’ll run you over!” Don Ricardo shouted, very angry.

“Run me over!” Mang Ben shouted back.

“But I won’t let you go up to Baguio! You’ll kill your family!”

Because of the chaos, Melissa, Ricardo’s wife, got down.

“Ricardo, that’s enough! Manong, what’s the problem?”

Mang Ben approached Don Ricardo, who had already gotten out, hoping to punch him. Mang Ben grabbed the billionaire’s arm and pulled him under the car.

“Sir, look at this! It’s like you’re taking pity on me!” Mang Ben pleaded.

Don Ricardo was forced to peek. Mang Ben pointed to the brake line with the cut.

“Sir, your car is not damaged. It was sabotaged,” Mang Ben explained.

“Look at the cut. It’s very straight. It was made with a tool. If you continue on Kennon Road, at the first sharp curve where you step on the brake, it will give way. You’ll fall off the cliff. You’re all dead.”

Don Ricardo froze. His whole body went cold. He knew what wear and tear looked like—it wasn’t like that. The cut was clearly intentional. He suddenly remembered the death threats he had been receiving from his business rivals.

“If I had fixed this right away or let you go,” Mang Ben added,

“The evidence would have been lost or you would have had an accident. That’s why I refused. You need the police, not a mechanic.”

Don Ricardo knelt on the cement. He hugged his mother and father who were behind him. If it weren’t for Mang Ben’s stubbornness… if Mang Ben hadn’t blocked the car… they might be at the bottom of a cliff by now.

The police and SOCO arrived. They confirmed that the brakes had indeed been tampered with and that the case was attempted murder.

Don Ricardo was very embarrassed by Mang Ben. He approached the mechanic whose uniform was covered in grease.

“Manong…” Don Ricardo said raspingly.

“Sorry… Sorry for what I said

I want to have you shut down, but you saved our lives. You even blocked yourself.”

Don Ricardo took out his checkbook.

“How much? Tell me, I’ll give you any amount.”

Mang Ben shook his head and smiled.

“Sir, life is not paid for with a check. I’m happy that the child is safe.”

But Don Ricardo did not agree.

As a thank you, he had Mang Ben’s workshop renovated. It was made modern, fully equipped, and had a large signage put up:

“BEN’S AUTO REPAIR: HOME OF THE HERO MECHANIC.”

He also gave Mang Ben’s children scholarships until college.

The billionaire and the mechanic became friends.

They proved that true wealth is not the shine of the car, but having concern for others who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the safety of others.