Making a Living

During our previous trip to Mindanao to visit the Tinuy-an Falls, considered one of the biggest falls in the country, I documented some scenes depicting people's ways to make a living, to feed their families in the best they could within their circumstances. They might not be getting much, but certainly they have the most 'colorful' businesses.

Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig, Surigao del Sur is reached by 1.5 hours plane from Manila to Butuan City, then a 6-hour bus ride to Bislig City, and another hired van for 1 hour from the city proper to the falls. At least there are convenient highways, and roads to the falls are already paved and organized. There are also buses which leave Manila to these areas in Mindanao, but it takes days to complete the travel. Going to Mindanao means passing by a few islands, so the passengers have to disembark in some ports for the buses to be loaded in cargo ships, and the passengers also ride on the ships. They only board their busses again when they reach land. This system of transport is called roll-on-roll-off, which is shortened to "ro-ro" ships. 

The Bachelor Tours buses ply the routes from Butuan City to many parts in Mindanao. We also took this bus for another 6 hours from Bislig City to Davao City, our exit airport back to Manila.

Above is a tricycle terminal in Butuan City. Tricycle is a very common mode of local transportation in the Philippines, not only in Butuan City, but also in other parts of the country. It is a convenient way of transport for very short distances. We also have this in Thailand known as 'tuktuk', in Cambodia, Indonesia and India. Although the forms and models are different in different countries,  it is basically a local transport system in Southeast Asia.

The engine is provided by a motorcycle with two wheels, and at the side of the motorcycle a body carriage is made with another wheel to balance it, so it has only 3 wheels giving the name tricycle. Six passengers excluding the driver can use the above model; 4 at the back and 2 in front near the driver who is on his motorcycle. In other provinces, the motorcycle is in front looking like it is pulling the carriage.

 Bus terminals are complete with colorful stores selling all kinds of small things and gadgets; from small bags, toys, eyeglasses and cellphone loads.  

Above stalls show food snacks, candies and plastic toys.

Walking sellers like the above are also plenty, styrofoam packs contain foods like burgers, hotdogs, sandwiches, noodles, etc. There are even full meals for those who don't want to leave their bus seats and eat at their convenient time, despite inconvenient circumstances. But buses also have stop-over restaurants for passengers to stretch themselves and take their meals or snacks, and go to the toilets. Can you imagine the trash especially styrofoam and plastic trash generated by this system! And who invented the technologies like these? It is so convenient to use, that hazards of using them take 2nd priority. It might take time before these can all be regulated and stopped!

Above items are specialty delicacies made of sweets. Normally these are rice cakes contained in empty coconut shells. I am sure most of us who are environment friendly people prefer this practice.

People who don't want to leave the buses can just buy their snacks from these vendors, who bring their items to the passengers. Look at the expression of the above woman, with all her life's experiences seen on her face. I took this from inside the bus, though hazy because of the glass, i still want to capture the vendor's expression.

This is the close-up of the woman's goods for sale: boiled eggs, fried peanuts, boiled peanuts, different kinds of crackers, pretzels, different kinds of chips, different kinds of drinks, and water. Are you looking for more!

This is one of the stalls in one of the bus terminals. The seller is seen via a very small window where she gets the payments for her sold items. Normally, these permanent stalls have refrigerators inside, where cold drinks and water are available. 

I included this photo because it is another mode of transport during that escapade, when we went to Hagonoy Island, also in Bislig City. 

And this is it, Hagonoy Island. I have already posted about it previously HERE. 

The Cambodian Tuktuk

The Thailand "tuktuk" is similarly called "tuktuk" in Cambodia, but of different design. In the Philippines we also have a different design and we call it "tricycle" because of the three wheels which includes the two of the motorcycle. The Cambodian "tuktuk" is a 2-wheeled carriage pulled by the motorcycle, total of 4 wheels. It normally carries 2 passengers, but there is also a seat in front of the 2 passengers, behind the driver. The normal seat has a cushion and a nice cover if the tuktuk is for tourists. However, the 2nd seat is not cushioned and it is customary for the tourist guide to sit in this harder seat.

Another version of this tuktuk in Cambodia serves like a small truck. It can carry many passengers together with their baggage like sacks of rice, banana bunches, agricultural supplies, etc. You will be amazed how a 125cc motorbike can pull such heavy load. The picture here will substantiate that. I even saw a longer carriage with more people and things in it, but was not successful in taking the picture.

(Marlowe tried to be the driver of the big tuktuk while the driver looks on)