A light-hearted yet surprising incident in President Roxas, Capiz, has taken social media by storm after a crow was caught on camera stealing money intended as employee bonuses from Mayor Receliste Tanoy Escolin.
The now-viral video shows Mayor Escolin during a community gathering as he prepares to distribute bonus money to his staff in celebration of the end of 2025. Unexpectedly, a black crow swooped down and snatched several bills from the pile of cash, creating both laughter and confusion among the people present.
According to witnesses, the mayor initially believed that the bird would land on his shoulder. Instead, the crow made off with part of the bonus money and flew onto the roof of a nearby house. What happened next delighted both the crowd and, later, millions of viewers online.
Footage captured the crow appearing to “play” with the money, tossing some of the bills into the air while keeping others in its beak. Onlookers could be heard laughing as they tried to retrieve the scattered cash, while the clever bird seemed determined to guard its unusual treasure. Slowly, the crow dropped several bills back to the ground, but not before giving the audience a show that quickly became internet gold.
Mayor Escolin was seen smiling and laughing during the incident, clearly amused by the unexpected interruption. He later assured everyone that all employees would still receive their intended bonuses, even if the crow briefly acted as an “unofficial collector.”
The video was uploaded shortly after the event and spread rapidly across social media platforms. Netizens flooded the comment sections with jokes, memes, and humorous theories about the bird’s motives. Many dubbed the crow the “bonus inspector,” while others joked that it was collecting a year-end reward for itself.
While crows are known for their intelligence and curiosity, this particular incident captured the hearts of viewers because of its perfect timing, the bird’s playful behavior, and the cheerful reaction of everyone involved.
What began as a simple bonus distribution turned into one of the most entertaining viral moments of the season, proving once again that sometimes the most unforgettable stories happen when you least expect them.