Back-facing Motorcycle Back-rider


In Tacloban, one late afternoon...

We have seen this a number of times in our lives, right? At first, I thought this was just some show-off stupidity or "arte lang", "pasikat lang". As I'm not a frequent motorbike rider, I learned just lately, that some science (if I may call it that) is involved in this 'stupidity'. 'Economics and Ergonomics', probably!
Well, necessity leads to discovery. And necessity of those with limited resources leads to these quirky unimaginable solutions, that may be called 'idiotic' by rich people, but 'brilliant' to us the 'have-nots'!

The wealthy may give up on things, but the poor will think of something. That pic is an example!

I had the distinguished honor of discussing that photo with a friend over bottles of beer, nakisawsaw pa ang mga driver namin in that hilarious 'conference'. Conclusion: para-paraan lang ang buhay natin!

Our analysis...

Problem 1: You need to buy/refill 2 LPG tanks (for whatever reason).
Solutions? 1] Use the car. Meron ka ba? Wala! 2] Rent a car. Walang pang-rent! 3] Take a taxi. You don't have money even for that. Besides, as if naman me 'taxi' sa Tacloban, ulol! 4] Hire a truck. Wala ngang pantaxi, truck pa kaya! 5] Hire a tricycle. Mahal pa rin. At malayo, di puede MCH, huhulihin ng pulahan (TOMECO), walang prangkesa! 6] Bisikleta na lang. Hindi kaya, malayo at mabigat dalawang tangke yan ah! 7] Pedicab kaya? Malayo at di pwede sa national highway! 8] Ride a Jeep. Hasol. Mahirap magbitbit ng dalawang tangke from the road to the store and back! 9] Motorcycle? Yun! All employees have one!

Okay, option 9 wins!

Problem 2: But how do you carry 2 big round cylinders on a motorbike?
A] Itatali? Mahirap yan, baka malaglag, dalawa yan eh! B] Itatali ang isa, sa pagitan ng legs ko ang isa. Mahirap pa rin, baka malaglag yung nakatali, bilog kasi. C] Sa hita yung isa, hawakan ni Juan yung isa. Pwede! Sige nga subukan nyo! Hindi kasya mahuhulog si Juan. Eh Juan, talikod ka kaya? Ayos, solved!

Thus, the legend of the backfacing motorcycle backrider. Gino-o ko ini nga at kalibutan!
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