February 13, 2013

Manong Driver
By Charmaine Sanchez

    As a student, commuting is my only way of transportation in going to school and in going anywhere.
    My fare expenses are a part of my weekly allowance and budgeting is, of course, a must.
    Saving is very important to me and to all of us I guess, since we all need extra money for a lot of things in school where we really have to set aside an extra budget for photo copies, manila papers, pens, paper, RECESS, and etcetera… etcetera…
Scene 1…  
    So there was this time when I was really having a tight grip on my allowance because there was just so many things to spend money on. I arrived home and before stepping out of the motorcycle I handed manong driver a P20- bill.
    “Wala kay gamay-gamay ana dai? (Nangita ug gamay-gamay si inday. Dili kauyon ug dagko si manong)
    “Kwae ning P10 kuya oh”
    “Wala raba ko ani sinsilyo dai, diri na lang ni ang sukli ha.” (over si kuya! Whole day nga pagpamarada, gipanulon nimu imung mga sinsilyo?)

Scene 2…
    As I arrived in school…
     “Kwae ni kuya oh.” (ning dunol ug baynte)
    “Wa ko’y sinsilyo ana dai.”
    “Unya?” (maldita si inday aning adlawa)
    “Pangita-e usa nag sinsilyo.” (demanding!)
For the sake of not wasting time, I immediately looked for a friend I can borrow a few coins from.
Scene 3…
    I was in an immediate need of a ride home…
    “Dai sakay ka?”
    “Oh nong, tibuco ko.”
    “Ikaw ra usa?” (Dili. Dili. Mao bitaw kita rang duha ga isturyahanay kay naa pako’y laing kuyog)
    “Aw. Pa Urban man ko dai. Ngita nalang  ug lain.” (Nangutana ba gud kog asa siya? Siya man una nanagad! Kung maka address nga mangita kog lain, basted lang ang show?)
Scene 4…
    “Nong! Ayaw kuno ug pakig-lumba anang ceres!” (Believe me, I felt like having a heart attack that time)
    “Da! Mubayad rana sila ug mabangga man ta dai!” (May problema si kuya! Damayon ko! Nanaog ko uy!)
Scene 5…
    “Pila na may edad nimu dai?” (dedma)
    “Naa na kay uyab?” (samot nga gidedma)
    “Pwede mo apply?” (wa na kapugong)
    “Shut up and drive.” (I retorted. Banganga si manong)
    YES, as you can all notice. I think I’m cursed with all these terrible experiences involving motorcycle drivers.
What is wrong with these men? First, I understand the fact that they are having a hard time with the high-diesel price nowadays, but they are not the only people in this planet having financial problems. Most of them do not even have “taripas” and they demand for extra fare increase in the most impolite ways.
Second, is it really that hard to act like a gentleman nowadays? Is it that difficult to look for extra change when your passengers give you a paper bill? Manong, I seriously think it’s your responsibility. Why did you decide to become a driver in the first place if you find it hard to simply make an effort for your passenger’s change? It’s not like you were handed a million-peso bill anyway.
Third, what is the use of looking for an income if most drivers say “NO” to a lot people who are destined to areas they don’t like?
 “Kalas man gud ug gas kung mu hatod ko ato unya siya ra usa.” Most drivers say.
But wouldn’t it be a more waste of gasoline if they keep on looking for an instant group of passengers and later, they found none?
Fourth, I haven’t been the only victim of over speeding drivers and those who drive that are obviously drunk. I know most of us have our individual experiences similar to this. I just don’t get the point of drivers who play around the streets with their vehicles, feeling like they’re driving monster trucks! And worse, there are those who even race with bigger vehicles like ceres buses and ten-wheelers. Imagine being a passenger of one of those motorcycles? Wouldn’t you want to rip the driver’s head off for being reckless?
Lastly, we all need to be respected as passengers, especially the ladies. When you feel like drivers tend to crack conversations that put you out of your comfort zone, or you feel verbally harassed, you have all the reason to report that driver to the authorities.
No matter how much we may complain, reality is: we can never tell when these incidences will stop. So it is up to us, passengers, to play smart. You have the right to be treated properly.
To our local drivers, we respect you and we thank you for you are also very important in our community. But we are all hoping that you would act right if you don’t mind.
 

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