Super Tsuper: An Overview of Filipino Public Ultility Drivers

In a nutshell, here are some of the drivers you will encounter on Phillipine ground every single day:

Bus drivers - A.K.A. the self proclaimed kings of EDSA (mga hari ng EDSA)

They occupy half (if not more) of one of Manila's busiest highways. They speed, swerve, commit almost all traffic violations known to man, and have absolutely no inkling of driving etiquette. A friend was once in accident (thank God no one was hurt), after a bus hit his car from behind, note that this happened in EDSA. The bus had no insurance making his blood boil even more & to put it lightly he said, 'anak ng tinapay, kala mo may pambayad kayo kung makamaneho kayo, bibili ako ng aluminum na baseball bat at ihahampas ko sa windshield mo para quits na tayo!!!!' ('son of a gun(?), you drive as though you have the money to pay for damages, I'll get myself an aluminum baseball bat and smash your windshield, that way we'll be even!!!!')

Rule # 1: Don't use size to intimidate us (private vehicles), get down from there and let's settle this mano y mano.
Translation: Huwag mo kami daanin sa laki, bumaba ka diyan at magsuntukan na lang tayo.

Truck drivers - A.K.A. the kings of tailgating (mga tutok nang tutok)

They drive in almost the same fashion as bus drivers, only they dominate not just EDSA but major highways as well. As if that's not enough, they use the minor roads, even sidestreets as well. I traverse the Katipunan area almost everyday and I know for a fact that trucks are not allowed in some parts there, there's even a huge sign near the Ateneo u-turn saying 'NO TRUCKS ALLOWED' yet there they are always ready to send my blood pressure (and patience) to smithereens.

Another incident I remember is something that happened some time ago in Tacloban. A ginormous 20-foot trailer truck rams a tricycle for hire killing about 13 teenagers and injuring about a dozen more. Why? He was negotiating a sharp curve and lost control over his brakes. Another incident I remember is that of a 20-wheeler truck loaded with sand (?), he left their base knowing full well that he had no brakes. That involved about 4 (or 5?) more vehicles, one of which was a motorcycle on which the driver was instantly killed. Will you please be a little more cautious. Please.

Rule # 2: Always check your brakes. If you have a deathwish, don't drag us with you.
Translation: Bago kayo lumarga, inspeksyunin niyo muna ang preno niyo. Kung may balak kayo magpakamatay, huwag niyo kami idamay.

Jeepney drivers and Taxi drivers - A.K.A. the road bullies (mga siga ng kalsada)

They have a few things in common with the former and the latter, one being they are avid traffic violators and two, they don't care for driving etiquette nor defensive driving. They stop by to load and unload passengers just about anywhere, the sidewalk, middle of the road, heck even right smack in the middle of an intersection.

A major news program featured jeepney drivers and their knowledge (or nonexistence thereof) of basic traffic signs.
Showing a YIELD sign, the reporter asks, 'manaong, alam mo ba 'to?'
'bawal tumawid?'
'hindi ho, YIELD ito, alam niyo ba yung YIELD?'
'ah, no U-turn.'
See what I mean.

Rule # 3 (?): How on earth were you able to secure a driver's license in the first place? I shall run for president and IF I win the first thing I'll do is revoke all your licenses. Hmph.
Translation: Namputsa naman, papaano ba kayo nakakuha ng lisensya? Kakandidato akong presidente at pag nanalo ako babawian ko kayong lahat ng lisensya. Hmph.

Tricycle drivers - A.K.A. the street rodents (mga peste ng kalsada)

They dominate the streets of Manila, what's worse they set up terminals everywhere, near parking slots, near the road, right smack in the side walk. Just like jeepney drivers, their knowledge of driving is about as devoid as the conscience of most government officials. They are mostly young, i.e. fresh from high school, dakilang tambay sa kanto. Therefore they are constantly thirsty for alcohol, always drunk, and proud of it. They're usually around (to terrorize the streets) all day and all night.

Rule # 4: Don't drink and drive. You'll end up dead and go to hell.
Translation: Huwag iinom ng alak at magmaneho. Mamatay ka na diretso ka pa sa impyerno.

Batu bato sa langit ang tamaan ay pangit. mwahahahahaha

tiennes lang

(photo credit for jeepney pic: Wikipedia)