tsuperhero
Si Papa ang Bida
By Aj Lopez
Sa bawat umagang bumabangon, sa ingay ng kalsada, sa tunog ng bawat busina, sa bawat pasaherong dala-dala kahit na maraming problema, paano mo kakayanin pa ang bawat bukas ng umaga na marinig ang mga tunog na ito sa bawat pasada? Sa pinagdadaanan ng bansa, may isang tatay na nagsusumikap harapin ang bawat bukas para sa kinabukasan ng kaniyang pamilya. Sa bawat paghatid sa bawat pasahero sa kaniya-kaniya nilang paroroonan, sa likod nito ang mga TsuperHero. Ito ang kwento ng isang anak ng jeepney driver at sa kwento na ito, ama niya ang bida.
Gigising ng madaling araw, na minsan wala pang laman ang tiyan upang kumarera na sa buhay para sa laban ng kaniyang pamilya. Naabutan na ng dilim sa daan na kahit pagod ay pamilya ang siyang kaniyang kasiyahan. Siya si Cres Lopez, mahigit dekada ng traditional jeepney driver, at patuloy pa ring ito ang kaniyang hanapbuhay. Ito ang naging daan sa pagtatapos sa kolehiyo ng kaniyang pangalawang anak; na ngayon ay patuloy pa rin nitong nilalabanan ang buhay para makapagtapos ng pag-aaral ang bunso. Sa bawat problemang kinahaharap ng mga jeepney drivers, isa si Cres sa magpapatunay na ang mga traditional jeepney drivers ay dapat manatili sa kalsada para pumasada. Sa pagpapatuloy ng pagsulong na i-phase-out ang mga traditional jeepney ay siyang ganu’n din ang pagkakaisa ng mamamayan na makibaka para sa karapatan ng mga tsuper.
Kung pagmasdan ay kulang ang kinikita ng isang jeepney driver sa isang araw para makatawid ang tiyang kumakalam. Hindi lang si Cres ang nakararanas nito kundi karamihan sa mga tsuper na patuloy na lumalaban para may maihanda sa hapagkainan. Kung ang manibela ng jeep ay humihinto, ang mga driver nito ay hindi. Sa kalsadang puno ng masa ay siyang dahilan kung bakit sila patuloy na lumalaban para mapakinggan, makita, at maramdaman sila ng bayan.
Ang kinabukasan ng bawat komyuter ay kinabukasan din ng mga tsuper. Saksi ang anak sa pinagdaanan ng kaniyang ama—sa bawat luha, pagod, sa pagiging kapos at kulang sa bawat pasada ng isang tsuper ay siya din ang nagiging dahilan kung bakit siya lumalaban para sa karapatan ng kaniyang ama na TsuperHero. Kung patuloy ang paglaban para sa kanila ay ganu’n din ang laban para sa masa; masang lumalaban para sa pantay na karapatan; empleyado, estudyante, mayaman o mahirap, boses ng bayan ang mananaig sa bawat bukas ng kinabukasan.
Fight the right to strike
By Aj Lopez
Family. Family is the most important thing in everyone's life. No matter how hard life is or how rocks point out the things people fight for their everyday needs, there is always a way for people just to fight for their family. Just like the Tsuper Domingo story, a jeepney driver and the Vice President of Agua Joda of Jeepney Drivers have jeepney routes along Pedro Gil Street, Manila. He is not just a driver, but a father who has dreams for his family. In his 28 years of being a jeepney driver, Tatay Domingo has always fought for his love for his job, his people, and his family's future.
In 2023, the heartbreaking news about the Jeepney Modernization Program hits their hearts. When they knew that the government wanted to phase out the traditional jeepneys and that they were only given until December 31 to consolidate their jeepney franchises, they knew that their lives would be on the line. For Tatay Domingo, this cruel program has been their drive to fight for their rights, as their whole life is committed to its jeepneys’ wheels. Their voices stand still in their fights for the strikes that are happening in the country today. Their dedication to their job is their will to continue fighting for their families’ dreams. Jeepney drivers are the ones’ who drove for the masses who can go whenever they want to go, and behind that, are the Philippines’ Jeepney drivers.
In the 28 years of Tatay Domingo’s service, he now has a licensed teacher, psychologist, and engineer, and it is all thanks to his partner—his jeepney. Until now, he still provides for his family, and it is evident that his dedication pays off. With all of the help from his notable job, they are calling the masses’ attention to fight and support them in their battle to #NoToJeepneyPhaseOut.
Tatay Domingo’s story is the reason why the government should stop this phase-out. He is just one of the many jeepney drivers who are sacrificing their lives just to fight for their families. The voice of the masses is a powerful weapon that can help our fellow jeepney drivers and operators reach their target audience and claim what is theirs.
Makiisa sa laban ng masa!
Want to know how the modernization scheme is anti-poor and unfair for jeepney drivers and operators?
Read more about it here.