A jeepney driver's last gift that helped his 4 children finish college

Before his death in 2019, the father of four would drive the jeep all the way from GMA Cavite to Alabang to Dasmarinas City every day, just so he and his wife Jocelyn can give their kids a bright future.

“Kahit sinusumpong na po siya ng rayuma niya, pinipilit pa rin po niyang bumiyahe," his daughter JC Bell said. "Kasi alam niya na kailangan namin ng mas malaking pera kasi nga kailangan namin ng pang tuition ng pang baon ng pang bayad sa mga ibang expenses ng school."

Thanks to the "barya" he collected from passengers, his eldest daughter, Jonarcel, 28, is now a  special education teacher. His second eldest, JC Bell, 26, is a logistics division chief in the Philippine Coast Guard.

His son Cyryl, 25, is an administrative personnel in the Philippine Air Force; and the youngest, Joyce, 22, is a soon-to-be chef.

All four siblings are proud college graduates, except Celso wasn't there to see it.

"Air Jordan," however, kept running even after his death in 2019.

The children visited their father's grave so they could show him their diplomas.

"Sayang, kasi wala ka na kasi di ba ito 'yung gusto mo? 'Yung maging stable... kaming magkakakpatid? At the same time, nakuha na namin diploma [namin]," Jonarcel said.

"Ayan ama, kumpleto naman siya, ikaw na lang yung kulang," he added.

After 24 years of service, the Torres family decided it was time for "Air Jordan" to retire.

The jeepney made its final trip last September, but the children plan to keep their father's gift close to their hearts until they can find the money to get it up and running again. —Margaret Claire Layug/JCB, GMA News