WHAT DIOGENES – holding a flickering lamp under the morning sun – did not find on the streets of Athens, he would have had easily met in Angeles City.

Honest men – youth, in fact – are very much around hereabouts.

Friends Warly Miguel and Jano Fortades, both 17 and migrants from Pasig City, did not even entertain second thoughts – notwithstanding their personal state of want – in surrendering to barangay officials a handbag they found on a pavement in Barangay Lourdes Sur East.

The bag contained US$3,500 cash in an envelope, two passports, credit and debit cards, phone call cards and a make-up kit.  It turned out to belong to Korean tourist Kim Mi Hwa who was victimized by snatchers as she was on her way to lunch at a Chinese restaurant in Barangay Balibago.

But for a wallet that contained a few pesos and photographs – which the snatchers apparently mistook for the loot – the contents of the bag were all accounted for.

At the city council last week, Miguel and Fortades met a most grateful Hwa who gave them a token reward in an envelope, even as the council presented them a  resolution commending their honesty.

Miguel and Fortades’ deed “only proves that even if there are a lot of people who are engaged in illegal acts, there are still those who are honest and dedicated” and “should be emulated by Angelenos.”

Said the resolution sponsored by councilors Edu Pamintuan, Jericho Aguas. Maricel Morales and Alex Indiongco.

On Monday, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan would again commend them before city hall employees during the flag raising ceremony at city hall.

Citizens Miguel and Fortades, Angeles City is proud of you.