New York nursing school honors deceased 'honest' Ilonggo taxi driver
Life may have been too short for Nestor Sulpico to realize all his dreams.
But the deceased New York taxi driver who was hailed a hero in 2004 for returning $75,000 worth of black pearls left by a passenger in his cab will be among the graduates of the Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing on June 5 (June 6 in the Philippines).
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.
Sulpico, 51, died of cancer of the colon at his home in Jaro District here on April 24 four months after he went home from New York.
He was supposed to be among the 101 students who will be awarded diplomas during the school's commencement exercises at the auditorium of the Fashion Institute of Technology at 27th and 7th Avenue in Manhattan, a block away from Phillips Beth.
"We want to pay tribute to Nestor in our own small way," Luanne Kwon, a close friend and classmate, said in the 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 dreamt 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 here, welcomed his 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 in a telephone interview.
Sulpico's death had shocked his schoolmates and even close friends who was unaware that he had cancer. The former taxi driver hid his illness and silently came home last December 24.
The Filipino migrant drew international praise and was named "New York City's most honest taxi driver" after he returned a backpack containing black pearls left in the vehicle by hedge-fund manager Lawrence Policastro on July 15, 2004.
The taxi driver was able to contact Policastro on the mobile phone that was also found in the backpack.
In deep gratitude, the business executive raised at least $5,000 to help the Filipino driver finish his nursing studies. Mayor Bloomberg also gave Sulpico an "integrity award" and a symbolic key to the city.
Sulpico enrolled in the nursing school shortly after gaining fame for his honesty. He received a scholarship but continued to drive a taxi courtesy of a franchise given to him by Mayor Bloomberg.
He also drew praise and recognition in the Philippines and especially his hometown in Iloilo City where he was given a hero's welcome when he came home in August 2004.
Rubiano said Sulpico "was highly regarded by the faculty and his fellow students."
In an earlier email, Sulpico's friends said he remained simple and unassuming despite his fame and considered his death a great loss.
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.