Monday, October 8, 2007
People in your neighborhood 1: Filipino odd jobs
If there is one thing I am most proud about my people is their resiliency. Standing side by side to China or Japan, I admit that we’ve got a long way to go as far as economy and stable employment opportunities are concerned. But despite this national debacle and the insufficient opportunities to make a fine living, some of my fellow Filipinos have managed to survive. They continue to find ways to earn and provide for their needs. Some of them take on menial, yet decent jobs. Rain or shine, day and night, these guys work with a smile on their lips and determination in their hearts. That is a true testament of their resiliency, smarts, and hardwork.
Ladies and gentlemen, these are the people in my neighborhood and soon... yours!
The “takatak” boys
They are young and not-so-young men that sell bubble gums, menthol candies but basically cigarettes on the street. Hence, they are called cigarette vendors. “Takatak” is a coined term derived from the sound that the cigarette box’ lid [where their money is put] make when it slides up and down in rapid succession. Vendors usually do this to call customer attention.
How they can help you: Well, if you’re stuck on traffic in your own private car and you want to smoke a pipe, they will be there.
The 'konduktor' [conductor]
Mostly male, these guys take care of collecting bus and jeepney fare to issue tickets to passengers. Most conductors that work for bigger bus companies wear uniforms, thus, they can easily be spotted. However, conductors working for jeepneys and baby buses don’t. You’ll only recognize them when they ask for your payment.
How they can help you: Since you’re a foreigner in an unfamiliar territory, these guys can provide you honest information about where you are, how to reach your destination and what landmarks should you see to know that you are on the right spot.
The 'barker'
Armed with their indefatigable vocal chords, these warriors are responsible for 'calling out' bus, jeepney ad FX passengers. They’re not necessarily counted as the driver’s official sidekick but they surely help them out by luring commuters to hit a ride.
How they can help you: In my jeepney post I already told you that jeepneys have their own designated route. In some places there could be a hundred routes and it would be difficult for you to scan every jeep in the terminal. But don’t worry, if you’re too shy to ask, these barkers will help you find the right ride for you by announcing it’s destination.
The shoeshine and 'sapatero' boys
For the shoeshine boys, work is simple: wait for somebody who’s wearing a dusty shoe and politely ask the owner to have them polished for a few bucks. On the other hand ‘sapateros’ [came from the word ‘sapatos’ which means shoe] or shoe repairmen requires more skills. Their main offering is to fix soles, stitch old shoe or change their color. But nonetheless, both of these guys give service at a very affordable price.
How they can help you: Imagine yourself strolling in the park when suddenly your soles broke apart. Would you buy a new pair? You can but it’s going to cost you a lot. Why not have a sapatero to fix it?
The key and rubberstamp maker
As the term itself applies, key makers main service thrust is to make keys especially duplicated ones. Now seating next to him almost 95% of the time is what we call the rubberstamp maker whose work is to meticulously carve signature stamps and more on a piece of rubber.
The “takatak” boys
They are young and not-so-young men that sell bubble gums, menthol candies but basically cigarettes on the street. Hence, they are called cigarette vendors. “Takatak” is a coined term derived from the sound that the cigarette box’ lid [where their money is put] make when it slides up and down in rapid succession. Vendors usually do this to call customer attention.
How they can help you: Well, if you’re stuck on traffic in your own private car and you want to smoke a pipe, they will be there.
The 'konduktor' [conductor]
Mostly male, these guys take care of collecting bus and jeepney fare to issue tickets to passengers. Most conductors that work for bigger bus companies wear uniforms, thus, they can easily be spotted. However, conductors working for jeepneys and baby buses don’t. You’ll only recognize them when they ask for your payment.
How they can help you: Since you’re a foreigner in an unfamiliar territory, these guys can provide you honest information about where you are, how to reach your destination and what landmarks should you see to know that you are on the right spot.
The 'barker'
Armed with their indefatigable vocal chords, these warriors are responsible for 'calling out' bus, jeepney ad FX passengers. They’re not necessarily counted as the driver’s official sidekick but they surely help them out by luring commuters to hit a ride.How they can help you: In my jeepney post I already told you that jeepneys have their own designated route. In some places there could be a hundred routes and it would be difficult for you to scan every jeep in the terminal. But don’t worry, if you’re too shy to ask, these barkers will help you find the right ride for you by announcing it’s destination.
The shoeshine and 'sapatero' boys
For the shoeshine boys, work is simple: wait for somebody who’s wearing a dusty shoe and politely ask the owner to have them polished for a few bucks. On the other hand ‘sapateros’ [came from the word ‘sapatos’ which means shoe] or shoe repairmen requires more skills. Their main offering is to fix soles, stitch old shoe or change their color. But nonetheless, both of these guys give service at a very affordable price.How they can help you: Imagine yourself strolling in the park when suddenly your soles broke apart. Would you buy a new pair? You can but it’s going to cost you a lot. Why not have a sapatero to fix it?
The key and rubberstamp maker
As the term itself applies, key makers main service thrust is to make keys especially duplicated ones. Now seating next to him almost 95% of the time is what we call the rubberstamp maker whose work is to meticulously carve signature stamps and more on a piece of rubber.The fish ball vendor
Obviously these people sell fish balls, a staple street delicacy in the Philippines. Not only that, they also sell chicken balls, squid balls, 'tukneneng' [quail eggs], 'tokwa' [tofu] and hotdog in a stick. Fish balls cost 50cents. Though most vendors rove around the metro, some of them have regular stalls on street corners.
How they can help you: Of course if you’re hungry but too lazy to return to your hotel or if you find going to restaurants boring, you can always catch a fish ball treat and mingle with your newly found Pinoy chums.
The 'magbabalut' [balut vendor]
“Baluwwwttt!” This we often hear at night and signals that a balut vendor is just in the vicinity. They also sell penoy, chicharon [fried pig’s skin], boiled quail eggs and fish crackers.
How they can help you: Looking for some energy rush? Or simply craving for midnight snack? These guys will give you the answer. Balut is rich in high-energy protein that should keep your stamina up all night just in case you need it. (Hihi!)
The 'magtataho'
'Taho vendors' are the opposite of 'magbabalut' beause they usual peddle their goods in the morning. Again mostly male, taho vendors call easily be recognized because they carry two aluminum buckets that hang from each end of a long wooden plank or yoke. They call out “tahooooooo” to attract their customers, which are mostly kids. When I was younger, taho used to be my favorite breakfast. Just like jeepney drivers, these vendors have their own route.
Obviously these people sell fish balls, a staple street delicacy in the Philippines. Not only that, they also sell chicken balls, squid balls, 'tukneneng' [quail eggs], 'tokwa' [tofu] and hotdog in a stick. Fish balls cost 50cents. Though most vendors rove around the metro, some of them have regular stalls on street corners.
How they can help you: Of course if you’re hungry but too lazy to return to your hotel or if you find going to restaurants boring, you can always catch a fish ball treat and mingle with your newly found Pinoy chums.
The 'magbabalut' [balut vendor]
“Baluwwwttt!” This we often hear at night and signals that a balut vendor is just in the vicinity. They also sell penoy, chicharon [fried pig’s skin], boiled quail eggs and fish crackers.How they can help you: Looking for some energy rush? Or simply craving for midnight snack? These guys will give you the answer. Balut is rich in high-energy protein that should keep your stamina up all night just in case you need it. (Hihi!)
The 'magtataho'
'Taho vendors' are the opposite of 'magbabalut' beause they usual peddle their goods in the morning. Again mostly male, taho vendors call easily be recognized because they carry two aluminum buckets that hang from each end of a long wooden plank or yoke. They call out “tahooooooo” to attract their customers, which are mostly kids. When I was younger, taho used to be my favorite breakfast. Just like jeepney drivers, these vendors have their own route.The tricycle and pedicab driver
Tricycle is made up of a motorcycle with sidecars attached to it to allow up to 3-4 passengers. Pedicab is basically the same but this one uses a bicycle. While some drivers own the tricycle or pedicab that they drive some don’t that’s why they are oblige to remit a certain amount called ‘boundary’ to their employers. These modes of transportation also have their own terminal, which is popularly known as 'toda.' They are often seen stationed street corners, in the market, near the park or in any easy-to-spot corner.
How they can help you: Pedicab and tricycle is our poorman’s version of taxicab. Meaning, they can transport you to any points in the metro for a fee depending on how far your destination is. They are not metered so the service fee is not fixed and the driver only relies on his passenger’s generosity. For a short ride Php10-15 is just enough.
The ‘labandera’ [person who washes the laundry]
'Labandera' is derived from the word ‘laba,’ which means to wash, specifically to wash dirty clothes. Mostly female, their service can be availed on a daily or weekly basis. Should you hire them to do the laundry, you may be required to provide for the detergents and fabric softener. Most of them get the job done by washing the clothes with their hands but you can always lend them your washing machine for faster results.
How they can help you: Of course, they’ll do the dirty work for you just in case you didn’t bring enough clothes or you don’t have the time to wash them yourself.
The ‘barbero’
‘Barbero’ is the Tagalog term for barber (they get that Pie!). Their service is very obvious: they cut, trim and style your hair. There are a lot of barbershops in the Philippines and most of them charge you very reasonably, about Php 40-50 for every haircut.
How they can help you: Besides their usual work, barbers could provide you with a lot of amazing stories about politics, humor, showbiz and sports! You could even learn a Pinoy joke from them, too.
Tricycle is made up of a motorcycle with sidecars attached to it to allow up to 3-4 passengers. Pedicab is basically the same but this one uses a bicycle. While some drivers own the tricycle or pedicab that they drive some don’t that’s why they are oblige to remit a certain amount called ‘boundary’ to their employers. These modes of transportation also have their own terminal, which is popularly known as 'toda.' They are often seen stationed street corners, in the market, near the park or in any easy-to-spot corner.
How they can help you: Pedicab and tricycle is our poorman’s version of taxicab. Meaning, they can transport you to any points in the metro for a fee depending on how far your destination is. They are not metered so the service fee is not fixed and the driver only relies on his passenger’s generosity. For a short ride Php10-15 is just enough.
The ‘labandera’ [person who washes the laundry]
'Labandera' is derived from the word ‘laba,’ which means to wash, specifically to wash dirty clothes. Mostly female, their service can be availed on a daily or weekly basis. Should you hire them to do the laundry, you may be required to provide for the detergents and fabric softener. Most of them get the job done by washing the clothes with their hands but you can always lend them your washing machine for faster results.How they can help you: Of course, they’ll do the dirty work for you just in case you didn’t bring enough clothes or you don’t have the time to wash them yourself.
The ‘barbero’
‘Barbero’ is the Tagalog term for barber (they get that Pie!). Their service is very obvious: they cut, trim and style your hair. There are a lot of barbershops in the Philippines and most of them charge you very reasonably, about Php 40-50 for every haircut.How they can help you: Besides their usual work, barbers could provide you with a lot of amazing stories about politics, humor, showbiz and sports! You could even learn a Pinoy joke from them, too.
Credits: Zianet.Com, Flickr, KabayanCentral
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1 Comment:
I can only appreciate the interest you took to these pinoy's odd jobs and how their services are of help. May I add that there are even unpopular occupations that has deserved my curiosity to learn more about. One is a Lola at 68 who earns 500 to 1,000 daily from 4 to 9pm giving tutorial to neophyte Bingo players. An example of Filipno resourcefullness to survive the hard times. It is the quality of being Filipinos more than the standard of living in the Philippines.I'll be glad to post result of my research on pinoy odd jobs FYI,if you wish. Mabuhay!
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