REAL ON WHEELS
Life of the Prime People Movers
Every jeepney driver usually has to do a lot of things all at once.
Besides driving, they have to keep an eye on pedestrians for possible passengers, collect fare, and give back change. They watch the back of the vehicle to make sure passengers getting on and off are safe, and listen to passengers saying "Para po!" as a sign that they have reached their stop.
They are used to all these things, as these are the hustles they do to make ends meet daily. But what if the life they're used to has also reached its stop due to modernization?
Tsuper Domingo
Vice President of Agua Joda
Tsuper Domingo’s six children were able to finish their degrees with the help of their father who is a jeepney driver for 28 years.
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However, he shared that his earnings for the day as a jeepney driver worth ₱500 is not enough for his family. The jeep that is driven by Tsuper Domingo is not his own, instead it is a boundary.
His sentiments are, “Sana pakinggan kami ng gobyerno, na kahilingan namin na ‘wag nang ituloy ang phaseout sa mga jeepney. Dahil kawawa naman itong mga kasama ko, kami rito na mawawalan ng kabuhayan.”
Tsuper Joseph
Jeepney driver
Tsuper Joseph’s everyday inspiration is his family in order to provide for his family’s needs.
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In 1986, he started to become a jeepney driver. His route is from Guadalupe-Leon Guinto-Makati.
He has three children, one is already working, and his 18-year-old daughter is in college in the province, and his 15-year-old son is in High School.
He said that he is contented with his work as a jeepney driver since if he is to work with other companies, he would only get the minimum wage. In addition, he shared that, “Pero sa jeep kaya kong higitan ‘yang minimum na ‘yan, basta masipag ka lang. Ang importante kasi sa trabaho is sipag [at] tiyaga.”
Tsuper Dione
Board member, Agua Joda
Tsuper Dione is a jeepney driver for 8 years already.
The jeepney that he uses is being paid through installment in order to become his.
He stated, “syempre, ako ‘di na ‘ko maghahanap [ng ibang trabaho]. Kasi 'yung pagiging jeepney driver, pang habang-buhay nang dala ‘yan. Kaya namang pumasok sa ibang trabaho, pero ‘yun na 'yung trabaho mo eh, business mo na ‘yun eh.”
He shared that his earnings of ₱600 a day is enough for his family. He is able to give ₱200 for his parents, saves money for electricity and water, and for his own wants.
Tsuper Cres
Jeepney driver
Tsuper Cres has been a jeepney driver for 15 years already. He shared that it is difficult and exhausting to work outside due to extreme heat and traffic congestion while facing the responsibility of being a father.
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He also mentioned that his everyday earnings as a jeepney driver is not enough, especially due to the transport strikes that happened in the previous months.
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Being a jeepney driver is not a stable job according to him. Tsuper Cres stated that if he will be given a second chance, he would prefer a different job which is to have a business.
He ended the interview saying, “sana matulungan din kami ng mga komyuter sa pinaglalaban namin ngayon sa gobyerno na no [jeepney] phaseout.”
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