Pinoy taxi driver in US gets posthumous diploma

MANILA, Philippines - An honest Filipino taxi driver based in New York who died a hero in 2004 was to receive posthumously his diploma and honorary associate degree in nursing from a New York nursing school. Online news site The News Today reported that Nestor Sulpico was among the graduates of the Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing. Sulpico, 51, died of colon cancer in 2004 after being hailed a hero for returning some $75,000 worth of black pearls left by a passenger in his cab. The Manhattan-based school will award Sulpico a posthumous diploma, an honorary associate degree in nursing, according to a statement emailed by school publicist Carol Rubiano. School officials have invited Philippine Consul General to New York Cecilia Rebong to accept Nestor's honorary degree and relay it to Sulpico's family in Iloilo City, the report said. "We want to pay tribute to Nestor in our own small way," Luanne Kwon, a close friend and classmate, said in a statement. Kwon is among those organizing a memorial book that will be given to Sulpico's family. "He was so close to fulfilling his dream and he would have made a wonderful, caring nurse ... his spirit and his deeds will continue to inspire us," said Kwon. Separated from his wife, Sulpico had dreamed of becoming a nurse because he had wanted to bring his 20-year-old daughter Angel with him to the United States. Angel, a second year nursing student in New York, welcomed her father's honorary degree. "I'm happy that even if Papa is not here anymore his school and classmates gave him recognition because being a nurse was what he wanted so that we could have a better life," she said. Sulpico drew international praise and was named "New York City's most honest taxi driver" after he returned a backpack containing black pearls belonging to hedge-fund manager Lawrence Policastro. Policastro raised at least $5,000 to help Sulpico finish his nursing studies. Sulpico enrolled in the nursing school shortly after gaining fame for his honesty. He received a scholarship but continued to drive a taxi. - GMANews.TV