Bohol celebrates new kind of heroism 

At 120th Philippine Independence Day 

TAGBILARAN CITY, June 12, (PIA)—His was a dangerous decision a Boholano most probably would do: disregard danger, just to be of help in any way he can. 

For that decision, Boholanos represented by Governor Edgar Chatto and accompanied by local officials handed to a Boholano yellow cab driver a plaque of appreciation for coming out heroic at a time when most cower in fear of getting hurt. 

During Bohol’s celebration of the 120th Philippine Independence Day held in front of the old Capitol Building, Chatto handed the plaque to Winefredo Maquindang, a Loboc native who has been a taxi driver for 45 years in the State of California. 

He was on his 4th day as cabbie in a new company he was joining, when the call for heroism came. 

When heroes of lesser mint could have flaunted with their achievements, Maquindang who had national and international recognition for his bravery, still came to the Independence day event in Bohol in black fedora hat, working shades, embroidered cream barong, black pants and brown shoes. 

The plaque was for his heroism, for rising to the occasion despite a fusillade of bullets from a gunman with automatic rifle on a high perch. 

Unmindful of the danger when even the police took cover, Maquindang loaded his cab with seven wounded victims and transported them safely to a hospital. 

He was on a taxi land outside Mandalay Bay Hotel then when a suspect Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire to a crowd jamming in a country music concert in Las Vegas. 

Maquindang, who had his cab dash cam rolling, though the explosions were just fireworks until glasses shattered, and his camera captured the melee when people run for cover while several were mowed on the concert grounds. 

Maquindang got off his taxi, his fourth day of duty in a new company and ran to the carnage to help. 

He loaded his cab with 5 wounded: in the neck, in the back and in several parts of the body. 

As he was about to go, he still found room for two more seriously wounded victims: in the trunk. 

Maquindang shared that he gunned his cab, unmindful of beating red lights, just to bring the wounded to a hospital for proper medical attention fast. 

Later accounts said Maquindang floored it, zoomed past other cars at 80 miles an hour, past intersections, just to be sure his wounded passengers get to the nearest help. 

Hold on yourself, I will drive you safe, he was quoted saying. 

In fact, he shared that, had not police secured the roads leading to the carnage, he still would have driven back to help some more wounded. 

Las Vegas Police later said 58 people died and over 500 were wounded during the incident. 

For his rare courage, Las Vegas residents hailed Maquindang as a modern day hero, which got media interested in his story. 

I just wanted to help, and that was my concern at that time, he said. 

On the 120th anniversary of the celebration of heroism, everyday heroes, like Maquindang also deserved to be hailed. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)