TWO SM Southmall security guards, Roderick Buduan and Roberto Furaque, recently returned substantial cash amounts to shoppers who had mistakenly left their bags and wallets in the mall.

Buduan found a red pouch bag inside a grocery push cart left by Annie Salvanera, a resident of Bacoor, Cavite, at the covered Carpark entrance. The pouch contained pertinent papers, and cash amounting to more than P19,000. Buduan returned the bag with no second thought to the Security Office for safe keeping. He even took his time to trace the whereabouts of the owner and called her up about the incident.

‘The attitude and commitment of Mr. Buduan is truly commendable and should be given proper recognition. He did not even accept the amount extended I to him as my sign of gratitude,’ said Salvanera.

A similar act of exemplary. dedication was exhibited by Furaque. At about 5 p.m., Furaque found a brown Coach Men’s wallet at the counter of Bibingkinitan located at the basement level of the mall last December 1. The wallet contained assorted identification cards and cash amounting to P1,200 and $130. Since Furaque noticed that the address of the owner, Reynaldo Fabros, is just at nearby Pilar Village, he went to the address to inform the owner about the incident. At about 8 p.m., Fabros arrived in the Customer Relations Services Office to claim his wallet.

‘I believe that Mr. Furaque deserves to be recognized and commended for his professionalism, excellent customer service, and honesty because they are way beyond expectations,’ Fabros, a retired US Navy soldier, said through e-mail.

Photo shows (from left) Bernardo Nacario, customer relations services manager of SM Las Piñas Center; Glenn Cudiamat, customer relations services manager of SM Southmall; Ma. Olivia Santayana, assistant mall manager of SM Southmall; Celso Oliquinio, regional customer relations services manager of South Metro; John Brian Tarnate, assistant mall manager of SM Southmall; Las Piñas Mayor Nene Aguilar; Furaque; Sulamagne Maglanoc, regional operations manager of South Metro; and Angela Gimenez, assistant mall manager of SM Las Piñas Center.