The pandemic showed the ‘true colors’ of human beings. While others may be downright heartless, some showed compassion. Among these–is TV host Luis Manzano.
In a tweet posted by ABS-CBN journalist Jacque Manabat, the TV host did not think twice about helping the displaced due to the pandemic. Since jeepneys are the heavily used transportation in the Philippines, they were among those who got severely affected by the Coronavirus and the lockdowns.
Manabat tagged the Twitter account of Manzano, to whom the reporter has described as someone, who extended help discreetly.
I got several messages after airing kuya Rodel and other PUV drivers’ plight on TV Patrol. Nakakatuwa na kahit may pandemya marami pa ring tumutulong. One of them is @luckymanzano who has consistently reached out whenever he sees a driver in need. He does this discreetly. Salamat
— Jacque Manabat (@jacquemanabat) February 10, 2021
Last year, over 100,000 jeepney drivers became jobless due to the Coronavirus plaguing the Philippines and the whole world. With them being jobless, discrimination was rampant.
Like the one seen in the video–the drivers get ridiculed for not getting alternative jobs and settled on being drivers.
Most people fail to see that due to the pandemic, establishments were closed, work is scarce, and drivers have no passengers to carry to their workplaces. They rely on the thing that they’re good at— and that is driving.
In Manila, many drivers turned to beg because of the lockdown and the restriction on public transportation. Daniel Flores, a jeepney driver had spent days begging for alms to survive from day-to-day.
The government created a way to bring back public transportation in a modern way–it has added to the drivers’ sufferings instead. The three-month lockdown had caused extreme losses to the drivers by taking away their livelihood as the government burdened them even more by pushing for modernized jeeps.
It has become such a plight for traditional jeepney drivers and operators on transitioning due to the pandemic. Still, with the blows that jeepney drivers are experiencing like most ordinary Filipino citizens because of the effects of COVID-19, there is hope for them because there are people who are willing to help and extend their hand to the needy–like Manzano. Luis is an inspiring individual.
