FOR every sad and infuriating story concerning food delivery riders comes an inspirational tale that sparks hope, and sometimes, even provides comic relief. Here are some good-vibes-only stories from riders of foodpanda, the country’s on-demand food delivery service, starting with a wild encounter.
Edison Reyes
Edison Reyes has been donning foodpanda’s pink and gray uniform for more than a year. The Pampanga rider has had his fair share of dealings with all types of customers, from the kind to the outrageous. But there is one particular character that slashes through the others.
It was just Reyes’ second day on duty when he received an order at 10 in the evening. Bright-eyed and all, the then-rookie rider picked up the item, rode his motorcycle, and proceeded to the destination. However, he found out the hard way that his customer had pinned the wrong address.
“Nung kinatok ko ‘yung bahay, lumabas ‘yung may-ari na may dalang itak!” Reyes recalls. “Hiyang-hiya rin po ako nun!”
Reyes says that if there’s one thing he has learned from his time delivering food and dealing with all sorts of people, it’s that a rider must never take life too seriously. It’s the same principle that allowed him to shrug off that memorable incident as nothing more than a scene straight out of a vintage Filipino comedy movie.
“Sanay na po ako sa kalakaran dito,” he says. “Minsan talaga nakakapagod pero dapat kalmado lang, lalo na pag may mga nangyayaring nakaka-BV (bad vibes). Kasi pag nase-stress ka, lalo ka lang mapapagod.”
Reyes adds that it’s that same advice he gives to new riders. “May mga mangyayari talaga na hindi namin gusto, mga moments na nakaka-bad trip, pero ganun talaga. Good vibes lang all the way!”
If anything, Reyes serves as a testament to the law of attraction. His positive disposition continues to draw positive results. Today, Reyes’s sunny mindset and tireless effort have made him a proud owner of a house and lot and two motorcycles.
“Basta kung magsipag ka lang at i-enjoy mo ang trabaho, kung ano ang goal mo, makukuha mo rin ‘yan pakonti-konti,” he says.
John Nikko Marcelo
Like Reyes, John Nikko Marcelo relishes being a foodpanda rider. The company offers tons of unique perks, from shouldering costs of canceled orders to covering accident insurance through a partnership with Manulife and Cebuana Lhuillier. Riders also get exclusive deals to save up on data consumption and communications expenses, thanks to foodpanda’s tie-ups with Globe, PLDT-Smart, and Cherry Prepaid.
But those aren’t the reasons that keep Marcelo engaged in his duties. For him, his food delivery service career isn’t event work. Going places with a motorcycle, he says, is simply his passion.
“Parang lumilibot lang rin ako,” Marcelo says. “Ginagawa ko lang yung hilig ko.”
For his part, Marcelo does not have just one striking delivery experience. He cherishes every transaction, particularly the sense of accomplishment whenever a customer says “Thank you” after he hands out the order.
“Nakakatuwa ‘yung mga moments na magde-deliver ka tapos makikita mo ‘yung taong dedeliveran mo, naghihintay talaga sa tapat ng bahay nila o kung saan man yan,” he says. “Iba ‘yung pakiramdam na makikita mo talaga na excited silang makuha ang order nila.”
But during days when the smiles of customers don’t seem to shine as bright, or when the rain falls just a little bit too hard, Marcelo thinks of his family to gather strength and move forward. His advice to young riders and to everyone feeling stuck in a rut: Always remain true to your goals.
“Kailangan nating magtiyaga at gampanan ang trabaho natin araw-araw, at magpatuloy lang sa kung anong tingin natin ay tama,” he says. “Palaging piliin ang gusto nating mangyari at maaachieve rin natin yun!”
Maria Meriel Singson
That march-on attitude is also what empowers Maria Meriel Singson to overcome her own set of challenges. While being a female rider draws awe and inspiration from customers, Singson says she is not immune to the threats motorcycle riders have to face, or even the challenges that every woman has to deal with, for that matter.
“Kahit gaano ka ka-ingat sa daan, basta kung ang kasalubong mo ay barumbado, andiyan pa rin ang aksidente. At sa kaso ko, hindi rin madali maging rider na babae, lalo na pag gabi at magdedeliver ako sa mga liblib na daan,” she says. “Pero laban lang!”
Singson takes pride in standing out as a woman in a role dominated by men. By now, she’s used to receiving a surprised face as soon as customers recognize her gender.
“Bilang foodpanda rider, napakasarap isipin na nagiging inspirasyon ako sa ibang mga babae,” Singson says. “Pero bilang isang ina, gagawin ko ang lahat para sa mga anak ko. Bonus nalang ‘yung napapahanga ko ang iba.”
Singson, Marcelo, and Reyes prove that foodpanda riders go great lengths just to deliver food in the comfort and safety of their customers’ homes. They are frontliners in every sense of the word—modern heroes, even—who are fully supported by a company that allows them to perform their essential service during these tough times.
The trio of Pampanga riders, together with foodpanda, reminds everyone that when you have the right mindset to achieve your goals, nothing can stand in your way. Not even itak-wielding customers. (PR)