Last Sunday we looked at a couple of Americans who tried to make money in the Philippines by driving a Jeepney in Manila. This week, let’s watch as the same two guys take a try at driving a taxi.
On their Jeepney adventure they got some passenger, but at P8 per passenger, it’s hard to put food on the table. Will they be more successful driving a taxi? Or will they find that it is too hard to succeed?
At least this week they have air conditioning and are a little more comfortable!
Watch the video and see how it goes for them this week.
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To help out people like you, I have written a eBook called “49 Ways to earn a living in the Philippines” and I cover ideas of all sorts on how you can earn a good living while living in the Philippines. I have been earning my living here since 2000, and I earn more money now than when I lived in the States. So, I know that I can help you do that too!
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Julius P Bantigue
This is Hilarious! I have a small taxi business here on Guam. They’re better off coming here to do the same thing. At least the Japanese and Russian tourists on Guam are willing to pay; I can’t say the same for the Chinese and Koreans, though. Public transportation in the Philippines is a hard business to get into. Too many Cutthroats in the industry.
Bob Martin
I agree, Julius, it is a very tough business!
RichRed
What city were those guys in?? I mean here in Manila it´s difficult to get a taxi in rush hour…It gets so bad that some taxi drivers even refuse to take you if your destination is not in the general direction they are going because they don´t want to get stuck in traffic. Also I don´t think they were been taken seriously by the general public, maybe because they are foreigners and that´s very unusual to see especially in the transport business. The only positive aspect was that they could speak tagalog so there´s a chance for them yet if they choose to continue on that path.
MindanaoBob
They said at the beginning of the video where they were, but I have forgotten.
You are right, knowing how to speak the language was a huge advantage for them. Knowing how to speak the language has atwawp served me well.
Robert J.
Good humor.
MindanaoBob
Indeed!
Anne
Bob,
I watched them already in youtube…. i think that two american guys only want to have fun and to expereinced how to drive here in the Philippines… anyway that is good so they
will know how difficult to drive here in the philippines… like papaduck say it is
organized chaos.
MindanaoBob
Yes, they were having fun, no doubt.
Really, I don’t find it hard to drive here, after a bit of getting used to you can blend right in.
Bob New York
Now thats a thought, a fleet of Good Humor trucks in The Philippines. I think those guys in the taxi video would have a better chance with something like that.
MindanaoBob
There you go, Bob! A Good Humor Ice Cream taxi! That’s it! You are a genius! Next week, I’m coming out with a new book… 50 Ways to Make a Living in the Philippines. 😉
Toti
kawawa naman, no passengers even though it’s ‘libre na’. Good fun though.
MindanaoBob
Yes, all in good fun.
Kyle Grannell
These guys need some serious help Bob Martin, they are getting painful to watch, maybe email them a copy of your e-book, the need it! LoL
Bob Martin
Ha ha, they might pay double for it!
Kyle Grannell
If I had resorted to what they have done to make money here, I would happily pay double for it! 🙂
Daniel Box
is this even legal ??, in singapore taxi driving is only for people born in singapore
Careen Basas
I’ve watch their videos online trying out common filipino jobs in phil, those two American guys are funny…
Bob Martin
Yeah, it is all a joke.
Careen Basas
Bob have you seen the white guy driving a taxi in davao city?
Bob Martin
I have heard about the white taxi driver in Davao. I rarely ride taxis, usually I drive or ride a Jeep. Because of that, I have never seen him.
Careen Basas
I saw that white guy driving a taxi here in Davao a few times but never had a chance to ride his taxi so I don’t know if he’s American or European..
Pacita Bancod
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
Bob Martin
He is American.
Miss August
I think you guys are missing the point. They were doing this as a “stunt” and “trying” out different jobs in the Philippines. By doing this they got invited to some Philippine TV shows. There’s another group of five half-Filipino guys who grew up abroad doing this, now they’ve been in movies, tv shows, magazines and working as models and actors.
I should have brought my daughter when she was a teen-ager and turned her into a Philippine Actress/Celebrity…. Nah! I think not! 😉
MindanaoBob
Yes, of course it’s a stunt! That’s the fun of it! 😉
John Reyes
As you both said, Miss August and Bob, it’s all stunt. Everyone knows it’s theater. Have you ever seen a cab that has a “barker”? LOL There are a number of foreigners and individuals of mixed blood that can be seen in YouTube doing similar stunt for publicity and a chance to parlay their foreign looks for money and fame in an entertainment industry that puts a premium on foreign looks and with a public that seems to prefer mestizos over the “native” look. This attitude goes way back. The Philippine movie industry in the 40s through the present time, headed at the time by LVN and Paramount pictures knew early on that in order to make money you had to have mestizos as your lead actors and actresses. Beginning with Gloria Romero (Pinoy father and American mother), Paraluman ( (German father and Pinay mother), Ric Rodrigo (Dutch father and Pinay mother), Carmen Rosales (American father and Pinay mother), Susan Roces (French-American mother and Spanish-Chinese father), (Eddie Garcia of Spanish ancestry), rarely does a Filipino movie become a success at the box office with a non-mestizo (in physical appearance) as the lead actor or actress, with perhaps the exception of a very few.
Bob New York
After riding in Jeepneys, and knowing of the fare charged, at times I wonder if it even covers the cost of running the vehicle. Absolutely Not a get rich quick business thats for sure. I once rode in a ” push to start ” taxi. The other drivers in the taxi queue had to push it to get it going. I gave the driver a bigger tip than usual and told him to put it towards a new battery.
MindanaoBob
Ha ha.. very generous of you, Bob.
Ron Perry
http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwha006.html#Work