February 18, 2021
Driver Vic was recommended to us by a neighbor’s long-time driver. He and driver Arch arrived here on the same day which was perfect because they both began the 14-day quarantine at the same time. After a week of not doing a thing here at our house except to rest and eat, Arch left using his sick father as an excuse.
Vic completed the 14-day quarantine and had tested negative twice. After two weeks of driving for us, he asked to be allowed to visit his 7-month pregnant girlfriend. One of the challenges of living in the midst of a pandemic is the risk of catching the virus from asymptomatic persons. He asked to be allowed to spend the weekend with his girlfriend but when he sensed my hesitation, he reduced his plan to just one night. But whether it’s for one night or one hour, the risk of getting exposed to the virus remains and it’s real. He wanted me to speak to his GF (as he referred to her) which I refused. There’s no need for me to speak to her.
He should do a 14-day quarantine again, two swab tests, before we will ride with him again. He probably didn’t understand why so he chose not to come back. Before he left the village, apparently he swung by the neighbor’s house and borrowed 3,000 pesos kasi daw his wife is giving birth. Now, that driver is trying to collect the 3,000 from me.
She’s not his wife because his wife and 13-year old daughter live in the province. This pregnant girlfriend has a husband and 3 children in Sorsogon. She went home in March 2020 right after the lockdown was imposed and remained there till after the New Year. She came back to Vic’s arms on January 7, 2021. If she’s 7 months pregnant now, that means she was 5 months pregnant when she arrived in January. Vic thinks that baby is his or baka daw sa husband. Panganay daw nya. ???
Another driver/ security, who worked for a congressman, has been in isolation and was due to graduate from 14-day quarantine last Wednesday. He abandoned his post last Saturday and went to visit siguro his girlfriend. And ngayon, he’s been apologizing and applying again, Ang problema, his quarantine has to start from zero. We wasted our time, effort, and money bringing him food, water, slices of cakes, de lata, etc. for 12 days. Ngayon he wants to come back parang ayaw ko na, baka mainip na naman eh umuwinsa girlfriend nya. His wife is in Davao.
There were inconsistencies too when I interviewed him. He told me he is 5’8 but when I saw him in person parang I am taller. He told me he has just renewed the license to carry his firearm, tapos last week he told me his license had expired.
Over the phone, he claims he is still on active duty in the Philippine Army, nag-leave lang daw sya. When I checked his papers he was honorably discharged a few years ago.
I interviewed another driver that was recommended to us. Mabait daw. They no longer needed him because their children are studying from home.
I called the guy and asked basic questions.
1. Omb——– “Natapos mo ba ang high school? Naka pag college ka ba or elementary?”
Driver—- -“Hindi mam ako nakapag-aral kasi sa Mindanao kami.”
2. Omb——— “Marunong ka bang magbilang? Bumasa ng mga numero?”
Driver —– “Oo mam, isa hanggang sampu”
3. Omb——— “Marunong ka bang mag-ingles kahit konti?”
Driver —– “Dalawang piraso mam”
4. Omb——— “Paano ka magmamaneho kung hirap mong magbasa ng mga signs?”
Driver —– “Matagal na ako nagmaneho mam, nakabisa ko na.”
5. Omb ——– “Anong height mo? Gaano ka kataas?”
Driver —– “Maliit lang ako mam”
6. Omb———- “Anong taas mo?”
Driver —— “Bansot”
7. Omb——— “Ano 5’2 5’1?”
Driver —– “Bansot ako mam, pandak.”
8. Omb——– “Ano nga ang height mo? Kailangan ko malaman kasi malalaki ang sasakyan dito eh
baka hindi mo maabot ang break, silinyador.
Driver —– “Mas maliit ako kay Edwin”
Omb——— “Sino si Edwin?”
Driver—— “Yung driver nila sir Derrick.”
9. Omb——— “Eh ano nga taas mo?”
Driver —- “5’3 mam”
Omb——– “Yung tutoo o dinagdagan mo lang yan?”
In our many experiences hiring maids and drivers, not all information they provide are true. In fact, the majority are false or inaccurate.
