Metro Manila, to say the least, is enormous. There are many places that you can go to, including those must-see historical landmarks. What makes Manila different to other cities is the pace. Everything that is going within this metropolis goes on with an intensity that can be an overwhelming experience for a first time visitor.
What better way to be not confused travelling around Manila than taking a taxi ride? One taxi driver that I got to meet was MANG EDUARDO. A taxi driver for more than 10 years now.
QUESTION 1: Paano po ba kayo nagsimula bilang isang taxi driver? (How did you start as a taxi driver?)
MANG ED: Marami na kasi kaming nasubukan na business ng asawa ko pero nalugi naman. Kaya nagtrabaho na lang ako bilang taxi driver. (My wife and I have invested on several businesses but each one of them wasn’t entitled to any success. That is why I decided to work as a taxi driver.)
QUESTION 2: Kabisado niyo po ba ang halos lahat ng pasikot-sikot dito sa Maynila? (Do you know every street and avenue here at Manila?)
MANG ED: Sa tagal ko nang nagtratrabaho bilang isang taxi driver, nakibisado ko na halos lahat pero ung iba, hindi pa. Ung mga madalang puntahan. (Since I am working as a taxi driver for a long time now, I have knowledge on where most of the streets and avenues are located.)
QUESTION 3: Paano po kapag hindi ninyo alam ung pupuntahan nung sasakay sa taxi? (What do you do whenever you don’t know where is the exact location of a customer’s destination?)
MANG ED: Minsan tinatanong naman nila kung alam ko, tapos sinasagot ko kung oo o hindi. Kapag hindi ko talaga alam, itatanong ko sa customer kung saan malapit ang tinutukoy nila para naman may guide ako. Tapos, minsan sila na ang magsasabi kung liliko man o hindi. (Sometimes, customers ask me if I know where exactly their destination is, then I answer with a yes or no. If I don’t know the exact place, I ask the customer about landmarks that are near the destination so that I’ll have a guide. When we are near the destination, sometimes, they direct me where the exact location is.)
QUESTION 4: Masaya po ba kayo sa pagiging isang taxi driver? (Are you happy with your occupation as a taxi driver?)
MANG ED: Oo naman. (Of course.)
QUESTION 5: Nagkakasya po ba ang kinikita ninyo para sa pangangailangan ng pamilya ninyo? (Does your salary fit to the needs of your family?)
MANG ED: Pinagkakasya namin. Sa awa ng Diyos nakakaraos. (We try to meet our needs.)
QUESTION 6: Mahirap po ba maging isang taxi driver? (Is it difficult to be a taxi driver?)
MANG ED: Hindi naman. (Not really.)
QUESTION 7: Mapanganib po ba ang trabaho ninyo? (Is your job dangerous?)
MANG ED: Hindi naman pero minsan lalo na sa gabi. May mga lasing kasi na nagmamaneho pa tapos mababangga ka nila. (Not really but sometimes it is especially during the night. There are drunk drivers that come irresponsible when it comes to driving and suddenly hits you unexpectedly.)
QUESTION 8: Paano po kayo nagsisimula ng isang araw bilang isang taxi driver? (How do you start the day as a taxi driver?)
MANG ED: Magdadasal muna ako na sana mailigtas ako sa kapahamakan. (I will pray first for me to be sparred from danger.)
QUESTION 9: Nakikita niyo pa po ba ang sarili ninyo bilang isang taxi driver sa hinaharap? (Do you still see yourself as a taxi driver in the near future?)
MANG ED: Hindi na. Nagiipon kaming magasawa para magtayo ulit ng negosyo. Susubukan namin muli. (Not anymore. My wife and I are saving our money in order to invest in another business. We will try it again.)
QUESTION 10: Ano po ang mga pangarap ninyo sa hinaharap? (What are your dreams?)
MANG ED: Makapagtapos ang anak ko at maging matagumpay na sa negosyo. (My child to finish school and to become a successful entrepreneur.)
