The Unsung Heroes of the Road

Manila, XX August 2025 – Filipino heroes are not just in history books– they are out here today, doing what they can to serve those around them. Ride-hailing drivers live this to a tee, as they help out total strangers in times of urgency and uncertainty. This National Heroes Day, inDrive pays tribute to its partner drivers who quietly go the extra mile – sometimes quite literally to serve people in need. Whether navigating flooded roads, staying calm in emergencies, or making room for family priorities amid the grind, their stories are a reminder that heroism can be quiet and incredibly human.

One such story is from Jason Pamilar, who endured a 9-hour journey on a flooded road during Typhoon Crising just to bring his passenger home safely.

“Ginawa ko yun kasi bilang isang driver, responsibilidad ko na ang passenger na nakasakay sa kotse. Basta kaya ko, ihahatid ko,” said Jason. At one point, he even braved the floodwaters on foot to find food for them both. His act later went viral, and support poured in from strangers online. “Hindi ko inasahan ’yung lahat ng ’yon. Gusto ko lang gawin ’yung tama,” he added.

Stories like Jason’s reflect ride-hailing drivers’ commitment to helping their passengers in any way they can. For instance, fellow driver Rolando Perea realized a passenger from the night before had left their laptop in his car. He immediately contacted them and gave his address for a safe handover.

Although staying positive while on the road is far from easy, Rolando said it is his secret to getting through long driving days and unexpected road blocks. He said, “Hindi madali maging ride-hailing driver. Araw-araw ay iba’t-ibang tao ang makakasalamuha mo. Ang mahalaga ay may respeto tayo sa kapwa, maging ma-tiyaga, masipag at magdasal para maging ligtas palagi ang byahe.”

Despite his long hours on the road, Mark Allan Casulla proves that true heroes always show up for their loved ones. As the breadwinner of his family, he drives to support his growing children and balances his work with his fatherly duties. For Mark, being present for his kids, dropping them off in the morning, and picking them up in the afternoon, is what makes the job more meaningful. “Napakagandang opportunity bilang TNVS driver na madali kong makakasama ang pamilya ko habang kumakayod. Kami lang ang magulang at maaasahan nila kaya mahalaga sa amin na magabayan sila sa paglaki,” he said.

Mark’s stellar road performance and passenger reviews have also earned him a spot among inDrive’s top drivers for Q2 2025. And at his side was his young son, who clapped and cheered as his father climbed up the podium to claim his award.

inDrive also honored Jason with the People’s Driver Award– the first of its kind in the Philippines –and awarded Rolando as one of its top drivers for the past six months. For the three drivers, this moment was more than just an awarding ceremony– it was proof that hard work and dedication do pay off.

“Many of our partner drivers go beyond providing rides. They show up with integrity, empathy, and grit,” said Vanessa Taqueban, inDrive Philippines’ Driver Operations Lead. “On National Heroes’ Day, we honor our heroes behind the wheel and their commitment to driving all of us safely.”