ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA

The Glory That Was Ac

de Legazpi Street in Davao City, now Pantaleon Pelayo Sr., was renamed Gaudencio Antonino in 1968 under Davao City Council Resolution No. 542. Three years later, it changed to its present named in 1971 under Davao City Council Resolution No. 503.)

The auto calesa dates its provenance to the Spanish period when the horsedrawn kalesa (from the Spanish ‘calesa’) was introduced in the islands in the 1700s as a form of public and private conveyance system, especially in the transport of goods.

When the Americans arrived and brought along cheap automobiles, the name ‘auto cale-sa,’ in reference to the mechanized vehicles imported to the country as taxis, began to be used in the 1910s. At the time, riding the taxicab for an hour cost a commuter two pesos or half a US dol- lar.

In the 1930s, American jeepneys were converted to modified cars with attached carriages that were initially introduced as cheap passenger utility transport in Manila and outside. Lat-er, successful Filipino entrepreneurs and expatriates joined the new industry. Most of these vehicles, however, were destroyed as a result of the war.

After the conflict, jeepneys, chiefly modified from thousands of unusable jeeps left by the American soldiers, started plying the Manila streets. It was only in 1953 when a former kutsero (from Spanish ‘cochero,’ or calesa driver) Leonardo Sarao, of Cavite, finding business opportunity in abandoned jeepneys for use in mass transport, formed Sarao Motors. This la-bel that has since been associated with what is now the world-renowned Filipino jeepneys.

The first post-war jeeps, unknown to many, already had colorful decorations, primarily party flags hanging from the antenna of the modified vehicles. Perched on its hood is a horse, a reminder of the American automobile and Spanish-era calesa, and to project a charger on the run. Such decoration, appreciatively, continues to this day.

Initially, the first AC jeeps introduced in Davao City streets, were eight-seaters, including the driver. As the population grew and the demand for public transport rose, the next-generation AC jeeps expanded to 10-seater units and later to 12-seaters. Given that the transport vehicles were smaller compared to present-day fleets, driving through the two-lane thoroughfares was a breeze.

Due to their heavy-duty shock absorbers and military-grade chassis, the jeeps could nego-tiate rugged secondary roads, especially in delivering market products to suburban settle-ments.

With the introduction of public transports with extended chassis and more colorful body markings, the AC jeeps started to phase out due to competition, the economy of cost, and better revenues. The new generation jeepneys, given the new improvements in car manufactur-ing, can now ply longer routes, have lesser maintenance cost, and can play multitasks rang-ing from improved commuter capacity to larger rooftop carriage for farm produce.

That the jeepney is on a sunset journey amid the coming of electric cars is without basis. The horizon still bodes well for the nation’s iconic symbol, and the tourism industry is its de-fender.

BASILAN’S READINESS NOTED IN THE MARY JOY 3 TRAGEDY

Just within hours after the Jolo-bound M/V Mary Joy 3 caught fire near Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan, social media was abuzz with entities who are at the scene to help, who were ready to help and who have extended provision to the distressed individuals from the ill-fated sea vessel.

The speed and efficiency exhibited by those from Basilan’s provincial and local governments is remarkable given that this tragedy occurred at night, in the fasting month of Ramadhan and the affected vessel just happened to catch fire in transit within Basilan’s territorial jurisdiction.

Hadji Muhtamad’s lady mayor, Arsina Kahing, was among those present at the scene, leading her local

DRRM team, and mobilizing volunteers and local boats for rescue efforts. Although the sight of the ship ablaze was distressing, it was heartening to see locals hurrying to the scene just after completing their iftar and tarawih night prayers. As we observed Women’s Month in March, this lady mayor’s leadership during the disaster should serve as a reminder to anyone who doubts women’s capacity to lead in times of crisis!

As the hours passed, the number of rescued victims and distressed individuals continued to increase. It became clear that some had failed to jump to safety, while others had jumped too late. Those rescued victims were housed in a safe area while those in need of medical attention were transported to the local health facilities by the composite provincial DRRM team and that from Isabela City arrived to reinforce. The provincial and city officials led by Governor Jim Hataman and Mayor Sitti Djalia Hataman were at the pier to supervise the rescue relief efforts.

Engulfed by the spirit of generosity in the month of Ramadhan, these leaders led their team efficiently to rescue victims and distressed individuals, oblivious to the fact that they were not from their own constituency. The Basilan provincial and Isabela city governments took turn to provide meals and provided financial assistance as well, until those from the regional and national agencies arrived and ready to take charge.

Thereafter, it is also important to note that a critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) was immediately undertaken by a team led by Nagdilaab Foundation executive director Deddette Suacito for the city responders. I met Mam Deddette at the Provincial Capitol Monday morning and I learned this is still going on because they are conducting debrief at group and individual levels. While the provincial DRRMO continues to assist regional and national agencies to complete their retrieval operations.

These factors demonstrate Basilan’s preparedness to respond to disasters at sea. The situation could have been much worse, but the speed and efficiency of the local teams during the nighttime search and rescue efforts were truly heartening. The care and generosity shown by these teams help to restore trust in government.

(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Noor Saada is a Tausug of mixed ancestry—born in Jolo, Sulu, grew up in Tawi-Tawi, studied in Zamboanga and worked in Davao, Makati and Cotabato. He is a development worker and peace advocate, former Assistant Regional Secretary of the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, currently working as an independent consultant and is a member of an insider-mediation group that aims to promote intra-Moro dialogue.)p

Passionate and experienced foodies knew this. If you want to taste a certain place’s best food, do not expect to find them at fanciest places. Instead, go to its street food destinations.

It’s affordable, convenient, and very tasty.

And when you talk about Asian street food, first on the list are the Pinoys. Who won’t love the barbecue, isaw (intestines from chicken), adidas (grilled chicken feet), kwek kwek (hard-boiled quail eggs), tokneneng (chicken or duck eggs), fish and squid balls.

That is why the students of the