P25,000 Saved Cash Eaten by Termites
CIRILIO BITANG — A Pasay City worker learned a harsh lesson about saving money the hard way when termites destroyed nearly all of his carefully accumulated cash.
Bitang, a staff member at a local golf course, had been saving P500 bills over the course of a year, storing them in a wooden tip box inside his locker. By the last week of November, he had counted his savings and found that it totaled P25,000. Everything seemed safe at the time.
However, when he checked on December 19, 2025, he was shocked to find that 49 out of the 50 P500 bills had been completely eaten by termites. Only a single bill remained intact. Bitang explained that he had not noticed the wooden box and its divider were already infested, which allowed the termites to destroy the cash before he could stop it.
Sharing his experience, Bitang hopes it will serve as a cautionary tale for others who are saving money at home or in unsafe containers. He advised people not to be complacent about hidden cash, stressing the importance of regularly checking stored money—even every other day if necessary. He strongly recommended keeping savings in a bank rather than in makeshift wooden containers, as insects or pests can easily destroy paper money if left unattended.
Bitang emphasized that saving money is never a bad idea, but it is crucial to use secure and durable storage that cannot be damaged by termites, cockroaches, or rodents. He regretted using a wooden box and considers it a hard-learned mistake. His story serves as a reminder that while cash savings are important, proper planning and precaution are equally necessary to protect one’s hard-earned money.
“Hindi naman po masamang mag-ipon basta sa tamang lagayan, matibay at di kayang masira ng kahit anong hayop/insect tulad ng anay, ipis at daga,” he said.