Other Respectable jobs to know in the Philippines

Raise your hand if you want to live a wealthy life or a simple life? How far are your dream to make yourself and your parents proud? Have you reached the finished line? Our parents are our keys behind this SUCCESS. There are no other things our parents wish but to finish schooling and find a decent job. For sure in your 2 and above decades in this world you had met people with amazing and unbelievable jobs but how about the other jobs that you haven't discovered?


Today is going to be full of being thankful. Being thankful because of the opportunity and this opportunity makes our dreams possible. Can you imagine our parents wanted to be one of those professionals and we aren't raised by professionals? This is not about discriminating of what kind of work your parents have but to let you know how they were able to produce someone like you despite having a different job but still called a job. There are no great reasons to hide what they used to do to finance our needs instead be proud because through that you were on top.


Let me share some inspiring work that you can found here in my beautiful country. Let's focus on what they offered and how can they contribute to the community.

LABANDERA

An art of Fernando Amorsolo, Lavanderas 1954
Doing laundry is part of the household chores that most of us did. In the culture of Filipinos, children were taught how to wash their own clothes as part of their responsibility and growing. This teaches a great lesson for them how to maintain neat and clean as we expect children to be playful and enjoy their freedom. Nowadays, there are some people who rather do other stuff than washing but let me tell you, it is fulfilling. I am proud because my mother taught me this kind of responsibility at a young age because it strengthen my independence. When I went to college and even working abroad, I learn how to survive and never been afraid of chores because I do believe that my mother and grandmother taught me one of the best lessons in life.


As you can see from the beautiful painting above which is a masterpiece of Fernando Amarsolo. This is captivating to watch because it brings us to the old days. A long time ago when advanced technology has not yet been utilized. Filipinos usually went to "sapa" or river to wash their clothes. Aside from it is enjoyable and refreshing, they can save expenses from their bills as well. I am so glad because I experienced this unforgettable moment when I visited my sister-in-law's town.


Don't you know that it is not just a common chore but also a job? I don't know if other countries are having like this but if you know some, I am happy to know it. "Labandera" is a woman who used to wash clothes from other people and earning from them. Having a la Bandera does not mean that a family is lazy enough to do their chores but we must learn to consider things why. Bless to those people who are always needing a la Bandera because they can save a family. Save? what does it mean? well, let me share with you a story of mine. My mother was a housewife and my father's minimum salary was not enough to spend on our day-to-day lives so my mother decided to approach our neighbors and relatives who are looking for a la Bandera. I am proud of my mother because she had shown a hard-working woman and a woman who knows how to stand on her own feet. I would like to differentiate that Bandera differs from a "Yaya" or a nanny. La Bandera is focusing on doing laundry. they might have some schedule to do it or an on-call service. This can't be a regular job but it's already a big help to sustain the needs of the family.

Laundry paddle or Palo
The brush and modern equipment in the laundry are far beyond the past. It is so good to reminisce what I experienced. This is "Palo" or known as a paddle. This object is very helpful because it lessens the work. If your arms are not strong enough to squeeze the clothing then simply paddling them can make things easier. If dryers are not invented well this can be a good alternative. It is nice to see some people are still using this.

Konduktor


Jeepney Barker
Are you amaze what's that behind him? That's what we called "jeepney". I created a blog about this. Kindly check here to know more about Philippine's transportation. "Konduktor" has a big role aside from being the main driver of the jeepney. If you traveled here in the Philippines for sure you can relate but if you are planning then I am here to give you some glimpse about it. This is one of the cheapest ways of transportation you can have, oh! not just that one but also you meet new people every day and new stories.


Let me give you a scenario. For example, you are planning to go to a mall and you cannot see even a single taxi on the road but only jeepneys so this is your chance to explore. KonduKtors will shout on what route he is going and calling passengers that there are still available seats in the jeepney. There is no need to use a google map because they will be the ones who will drop you to your destined place. It's quite noisy but a jeepney experience will never be complete without them.


Just this year in my city where buses in the bus station are now in a systematic way. You have to pass gates and no need to hassle but jeepneys remain unsettled but it is okay because we can help individuals to have a job even at this time of the pandemic. Now, how will you know who is the konduktor? Aside from his or her nose, you can see him or her near the entrance door of the jeepney and once the jeepney moves, they usually standing outside. I find it too dangerous for them and seeking for their safety but it has been part of the history ever since then.


TINDERO AND TINDERA
Who among you here whose business plans are lining up? There are so many ideas to create and it must be remarkable and trendy so that the people will keep coming back for it. It is impossible for a country that doesn't have a tindero or tindera. When we say "Tindera" she or he is the one selling his or her product. This time, I would like to introduce those tinderas out there that are striving so hard to earn.

Taho
This man is selling a "taho" which is freshly made at dawn and serve early in the morning. It's a kind of jelly made out of soybeans. Children are fond of eating this as their breakfast aside for its sweet taste but can easily make them full. This is one of my old-time favorite food when I was small. I can still recall, I will wake up early standing outside in our door waiting for taho man to pass by. Once he said "Tahoooooooo" my ears tickle as my tummy does and this has been continued to my nephews and nieces who loves to have it. Shoulders are the main power of a taho man because he has to carry those loads of taho by walking. It is not an easy job because you have to make sure as well if it is still hot and people love to buy it in the morning so as what the taho man told me. He finished it before lunchtime and in the afternoon they have to prepare for tomorrow. It's a cycle.

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The second photo shows one of the best exotic food to try here in the Philippines. I respect those who cannot dare to try it because the moment you crack the shell, you will see the unexpected ones, especially for the first-timer. It's kind of hairy because there is a chick inside of it. It will be better if you will pour some spicy vinegar and a pinch of rock salt. Tindero of balut usually sells late evening until 2-3 am in the morning. Since the place, I am living in is near the beach. At night time if I am given a chance to go out, I love to buy balut and eat it on the bench facing the beach. It's good in the cold season.


Next one is that sari-sari store. It is very common here in the Philippines where anyone can make her own store like this in their houses. In the store there can be a young, old, or anyone can sell as long as he or she was entrusted or knows well on the pricing. Some people may find products in the sari-sari store is more expensive compare to the direct factory or supermarket but then again it is business. Even though that shows as a weakness of the store but it is the easiest and nearest store you can find. It is very helpful when you are out of stock and badly need something then you can go directly to the store. My mother was used to try different small businesses and because of her, I had been tried to be a tindera in the sari-sari store before. Even though the income is not so big compare to other businesses but daily needs are there and there are many professionals who were raised by their parents through selling in the sari-sari stores. It might be a small business but it can feed people.

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KARMATA

Image source

"Karmatero" is evident and popular when you visit Carbon Public Market. Cebuanos will go in the said market because it's the best place to have the cheapest vegetables and fruits. It is more crowded at night time because it's the usual time where everyone is busy. I'd been living in Carbon for almost 2 years. I moved there and was able to help my fiance's parents in selling vegetables. I had tried to wash all the mud of the carrots in a whole giant basket. It was hard but that is life. We need to invest effort in order to survive. You can see young to old karmatero in Carbon. So what's their role? Most of them have their respective boss. Where they know already what to do and what shouldn't. They will carry a load of vegetables for delivery and shipment. If you are there in an actual place, you cannot imagine how they were able to manage to carry everything and push using their karma. Karma is a wooden trolley used as their way to load and unload the products.

TRAYSIKAD

Image source

"Traysikad" is another means of transportation here in the Philippines. Actually, I would rather ride in traysikad because it is environmentally friendly. It does not need gasoline to start it but only strength and firm feet. It is a little bit slow but safe to ride. Sometimes the fare matters to how far is your destination. The farther it is, the more you will add on. I have here some good Trayskidad drivers in my place. They are friendly and cooperative. Whenever they see me carrying heavy stuff, they will automatically lend a hand to help. It was nice hearing their stories as well.


To end this post, I would like to remind everyone that no matter what your job is whether it is professional or not as long as you are working with pure dignity and service that's what matters the most. Life is not about how fat your bank account but it is about spreading kindness, doing good, and helping others.