FX Political Science 101

The driver of the FX I rode this morning has probably learned much from the radio programs he had been listening to. He made his own political and social commentaries while the radio anchor rattled on in the background. The other two passengers in the front seat were accommodating co-discussants.

Basically, it was Gloria. The radio had just announced some recent news related to a Gloria program.

“Plastic talaga.”

“ E ngiti nga ngiting aso na e.”

“Sinungaling na nga, ang galing pang magpalusot. Kababae niyang tao, di na nahiya.”

The driver did most of the talking. Mentioning how corrupt the government is already.

“Nung panahon ni Marcos kasi, isa lang nangungurakot. Si Marcos lang. Ngayon lahat na.”

That’s why, he said, the proposed budget has reached the trillion value mark. He thinks the President is trying to pay off the political debts she accumulated and the E-vat is also probably one of those means. He would never join any of those rallies, he continued. “Pero pag meron na yang E-vat na yan, sasama na talaga ako. Ang hirap nang magpagasolina. Linggo – linggo tumataas ng singkwenta.”

“Ang problema kasi sa gobyerno natin dalawa ang namumuno. Si Gloria at si Ramos. Makikining yung isa sa mga advisers niya, sasabihin niya dun sa isa. Tapos sasabihing di puwede. Wala talagang nangyayari.”

The conversation dwindled after some time. I couldn’t remember now how far it went. I had to get down. Taking note that the driver charged me five pesos more than my usual fare with other FX taxis and that his taxi had no name on the side. It was an interesting ride, nonetheless.

I guess the passengers had their share of live radio that morning. “Taxi driver commentaries” are sometimes entertaining but they are also the voice of the people.

Maybe the President should consider riding the public transport system more frequently.