Rig driving was a way of life among pinoys during the pre-war years in Manila. And Tondo was the main venue of these rig operators in the city. The Cochero or rig driver during those years were referred to as “king of the road” as rigs outnumbered the motor vehicles on the road, and the voting power of those dependent on the rig drivers and rig business was something to reckon with during the local elections.
Mang Sendong was one of the man cocheros in the colourful yesteryears in Tondo. He was also the owner of the rig and the horse making him an entrepreneur. During that time, the rig could ply almost all of the city streets to compete side by side with streetcars, buses, and taxicabs for passengers.
Mang Sendong, aside from being the driver of the rig, must also maintain the vehicle and the horse. The rig would need only cleaning from time to time as well as greasing the axle bearings but the horse had to be cleaned by brushing and feeding for optimum power and checked by friendly veterinarian for ailments. Of course, his family helped him in his many chores, for Mang Sendong was not “king cochero” at home and most of the burden fell on him.
“Wake up father” his son would rouse him up that early cold morning as instructed, Aling Sion, his faithful wife prepared his breakfast.
Mang Sendong got up and went to the kitchen faucet and splashed his face with cold water, at the same time gurgle a spoonful of water using his cupped hands.
“This is good”, Sendong commented as he ate the fried rice in garlic, fried salted fish dipped in spiced vinegar, and chased by strong barako (native) cream less brewed coffee. The comment elated his wife with a smile.
Hurriedly putting on his collarless shirt (camiso de chino) and colored slacks plus his pointed slippers, he hitched the well rested horse to the rig with the help of his son at the backyard shed. He then climbed the rig and with a loud “giddy-up” the calesa lazily moved out the open street.
“Hurry! to the bus station. We have to catch the early Lucena bus”, exclaimed an elderly woman and with a small child after hailing Mang Sendong.
The rig ran smoothly to the bus depot in record time and the woman paid him handsomely. He was hailed again by two male passengers who directed him to take them downtown which he did. By this time, there were more pedestrians, and vehicles on the road. That whole morning business was good, for every time the passengers would alight; he would hailed by a prospective customers.
“Aling Titang, give me the special for the day”, uttered Mang Sendong after he seated himself on the eatery’s counter while his horse and rig were under a nearby shady acacia tree. Mang Sendong had two indicators that it is time for his lunch, the butterflies in his stomach and the sun over his head. In case it was sunny.
“How’s business today”? Aling Titang would ask almost the same questions to all her cochero customers as she continued her multifarious work in her roadside kitchenette.
“Pretty fair” Mang Sendong would answer as he ate hurriedly like most of the customers who were cab drivers, cocheros, and workers in nearby shops.
Mang Sendong returned to his parked rig and he removed the basket where the horse ate the grass. The cochero and the unhitched horse practically consumed the same time to finish the quickie lunch.
The afternoon was extremely hot and after two trips, he could feel the stinging rays of the sun. His horse was wet with sweat and its mouth was starting to froth. So, with that tell-tale warning sign, Mang Sendong headed for home.
To let the prospective passenger knows that the rig was “carbaning”, all the cochero had to do was to sit at the back. Nobody would hail him for that practice was generally understood.
After a tiring day, Mang Sendong would take some nap but before he would do so, he would see to it that his horse was properly rested and fed in his back burn. In the evening, he would usually be home, or at times, some friends or relatives may come for a visit or a chat. At some other times he and his wife would do the visiting.
Cocheros during those days performed many civic duties too. They would report fires, street brawls, public safety conditions and other incidents to the proper authorities, mostly the police. Mang Sendong may be an exception, but many cocheros had the tendency to exaggerate stories, or concoct one, probably like the barbers. So, the term “kwentong Cocheros” or rig drivers story would mean a cock and bull yarn or a sailor’s scuttlebutt”
In spite of the appearance of many carriers of personnel in the city, the rig would remain as a means of transportation in certain parts of the districts. Men, like Mang Sendong, would strive to earn a living driving his rig in the city’s unprohibited thoroughfares serving only a small portion of the teeming population.
If and when oil prices would raise to an extremely prohibited levels, then the cocheros would be once more be the “king of the road” again. ****