A cyclist in the field of motorists

Customers of the country’s on-demand food delivery service foodpanda welcome the sound of an approaching motorcycle, knowing that it could be the delivery guy, or girl, arriving with their current food craving. But in the case of rider Karlo Siao Porquez, his story is a bit more silent.

Porquez is the only bike rider in the province of Iloilo. He just joined the foodpanda family a couple of months ago, but he is happy to keep up with his motorized co-riders.

“I know that I can compete with them even if I’m using a bike,” he says. “Sometimes I even tell them that they’re too slow.”

But Porquez only teases his co-riders for some light-hearted fun. It’s his way of spreading good vibes when days seem to be too slow. He also sings as much as he smiles whenever he rides his bike to deliver orders.

Porquez is having the time of his life with foodpanda, saying it’s way better than the other food delivery service companies he worked for. Among the many things he appreciates is how the group looks after the welfare of its riders. One measure is that necessary gears are provided to make delivery life easier. Riders are given raincoats to weather downfalls and thermal bags and box bags for easy storage, preserve food quality, and ensure customer satisfaction. Of course, during this time of pandemic, face masks are provided as well.

With everything taken care of so riders can deliver safely and conveniently, Porquez keeps his advice to co-riders simple: “Just remember to keep moving forward,” pedal or no pedal.

 

Modern heroes

foodpanda riders are frontliners in every sense of the word. They go out in the streets and deliver food for us so we can stay safe inside our homes. It’s that type of sacrifice that makes rider Rowin Rose Yabot know that she is in great, heroic company with her co-riders.

Yabot enjoys being around her colleagues. They have formed a strong bond that allows them to face these tough times together. “I remember during the ECQ, when almost all riders got together waiting for order pick-ups, we would do fun things like TikTok.”

Such is the unity of the riders that they even organize charity works for those in need. “We help as much as we could,’ Yabot says.

As busy as they are, foodpanda riders still find the time to go out of their way and help people during these tough times, solidifying their status as today’s modern heroes.

In turn, foodpanda makes sure that these champions are fully equipped and thoroughly protected to perform their daily, valiant duties. The group partnered with Manulife and Cebuana Lhuillier to cover accident insurance of its riders. What’s more, through partnerships with telecommunications providers Globe, PLDT-Smart, and Cherry Prepaid, foodpanda provides its riders with exclusive deals that let them save up on data consumption and communications expenses.

 

‘Salamat po at ingat kayo’

Like true heroes, foodpanda riders don’t do it for the applause. But still, to know that their service is valued and appreciated gets them every single time.

“The best part ng pagiging foodpanda rider ay ‘yung makitang masaya ang customer

pagdating  mo dahil na-satisfy mo ang kanilang food cravings,” says Jo Cil Mesias, one of the pioneer riders in Iloilo. “Nakakawala din nang pagod kapag sinabihan ka ng ‘Thank you at ingat po, kuya.’”

Mesias has gotten to know a lot of people since joining foodpanda. Some are now his best friends who he can rely on through thick and thin.

“Saludo ako sa inyo,” he says to all foodpanda riders. “Umulan, umaraw, banta ng COVID at baha, wala kayong inaatrasan para mabuhay lamang para sa pamilya. Masasabi ko na kayo ay mga tunay na bayani. Ride safe mga ka-panda!”