Only in the Philippines
By jpso138
@jpso138 (7851)
Philippines
November 4, 2011 1:52am CST
I have been traveling from time to time and have visited different places in our country. Recently, I decided to take pictures of different tourist attractions in our country and have posted it on my blog. But just a few months back, during one of my trip from Cagayan heading Davao, I was able to see this picture, without a doubt, it is simply amazing.. and I would say, "only in the Philippines". The motorcycle is designed to have two passengers only. One for the driver and perhaps one on the back. But this you got to see... Definitely something that raises our eyebrow. What can you say about this? I think Guinnes should consider this as a record. How about you, care to share some amazing things in our country.
2 people like this
12 responses
@champoy186 (1638)
• Philippines
11 Nov 11
that picture of yours looks interesting. i want to try that someday but it looks scary. is it prone to accident?
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
14 Nov 11
I really find it interesting. This is perhaps the reason why I have decided to take a picture about it since its quite unique as compared to some other habal habal that I have seen in our country. I did not have the chance to ride it since I was on a bus. Perhaps in the near future also, I will certainly ride and feel the thrill. Perhaps I will also take a picture later on with me on board.
@champoy186 (1638)
• Philippines
14 Nov 11
My co-worker said that it is scary. Both sides should be balance or else you will get into accident. But it looks really cool. Truly only in the Philippines!
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
14 Nov 11
Yes shanemae. It is really hard to beat this ride and also quite dangerous. But I really am amazed as the driver was able to balance the ride with ease. I too have seen jeepneys fully loaded with people up to the roof. But the thing is, no matter how dangerous it is, people still ride. Perhaps simply because of the lack of proper transportation in some places.
@Theresaaiza (10487)
• Australia
6 Nov 11
This definitely showcases pure Pinoy resourcefulness, creativity and ingenuity. But as for the safety, I worry for the passengers. Our habal-habal method here in Bohol is different. A motorcycle simply has extension towards the back so that passengers didn't have to balance out like this, which I truly believe is a lot safer than the one here in your picture. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful take.
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
13 Nov 11
Hi theresaiza, yes, I have seen the habal habal in your place.. They are much safer than the one that I have shown. Surely there is a great effect on the balance considering that the single motorcycle needs balancing already. How much more if there are passengers and perhaps with an odd number of passengers. Well, as what we have always said... "only in the Philippines!"
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
5 Nov 11
I would like to see the one that flies without a plane, a planeless pilot so to speak, as opposed to a pilotless plane.
They say they go out on Halloween but I think they go out every Friday night especially when there's a full moon out. I'm always ready with my hi-def digital video/still cam to catch the world record for this phenomenon, only in the Philippines.
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
13 Nov 11
Hahahaha! Rog, I understand what you are talking about. Commonly they say, its "fly by night". But I have never seen such. Perhaps its just a figment of people's imagination. It could also be true but considering that its already the 21st century perhaps they do not exist anymore or perhaps they do not bother to fly anymore since there are a lot of public transportation already.
@myrnz626 (112)
• Philippines
8 Nov 11
yes ! that what they call haba haba ! i have been there in cagayan de oro. one of the beautiful places in mindanao. people are very friendly and a driver once i talked to, he told me that they call rela a tricycle too. i didn't see it, but it's a fun experience to be with kind people in cdo. i wish i 'll go back to cdo, one of the tourist spot in the philippines. :)
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
14 Nov 11
Yes, this is indeed a habal habal. Although I have seen a lot of habal hable in different forms, but this is something unique and the way I look at, it's quite difficult to balance if you are not familiar. But that is the reason why I see that Filipinos are truly talented and with great skills. I have been to Cagayan from time to time.. It is indeed a great place just like other places in our country...
@genix012 (42)
• Philippines
30 Nov 11
sir jpso,indeed,,,Guinness should consider this as a record...lolz, but actually sir, in cebu province (my place), They are used into it and this is the only means for their transportation, because jeepneys are not accessible for them because of the narrow roads in "bukid". That's the reason...and i ride "habal2x" many times.. You should try it sir..It's really fun, especially going uphills...ahahhaha..:D
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
1 Dec 11
I have seen some of them genix. But I think what I have is a different design. Anyway, I do agree with your point that these things are allowed simply because we have no choice. As you have said that there are places that standard public jeepneys cannot access, thus we are constrained to take these "habal habal" despite knowing the fact that it is dangerous.
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
4 Nov 11
Hi jpso!
That's called a habal-habal. I have not ridden one but I've heard a lot about it and I've seen a lot of pictures and there are actually different types of it. It's really amazing how innovative Pinoys are when it comes to earning money.
Of course, it's dangerous and road hazard but the government allows it so they continue to exist. There's actually a Manila version of that. It was featured in 24 oras only the passenger is at the back and only one can be accommodated. The police said the drivers are not violating any law so they cannot apprehend them, they even provide helmets to their passengers. 
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
10 Nov 11
Hi secret bear, yes, I agree with you. These is one of those that they call "habal habal". In some places this call it "skylab". But no matter how they are called, I would say that these are really great innovations but somewhat dangerous. Though from my own viewpoint, there is a violation and that could probably be overloading. The motorcycle has a standard load and most likely loading these many is already over the safe load of the vehicle. But out of humanitarian reasons, often the law enforcers will not apprehend. You also consider political will. Most often our politicians like mayors will just allow them considering that if they stop this practice, it will be another loss on the vote... Well, as stated, only in the Philippines!
@ceasar09 (442)
• Philippines
4 Nov 11
Wow that makes me laugh and proud. We can truly say, "only in the Philippines" for that thing, other countries also have tricycles but for this kind of transportation where one motorcycle is used that it can carry 5 person or more then its exceptional.
I am amazed how the driver managed to balanced the motor even though he have many load on the left and right side of the motor. But what is amazing about this, is how we Filipinos find ways to earn money to make a living for everyday, the sacrifices of the driver to balance the motor and to avoid accidents along the road is not an easy task but for his family he can do it and this make world beautiful.
Hope i can also see and experience how to ride on those motor. It would be a unforgettable experience for me. =)
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
10 Nov 11
Yes, indeed it is an exceptional and amazing skill do such balancing with the passengers on each side. Most especially that each person have different weights and naturally would create a problem. But we are Filipinos and we are capable of doing such amazing things and sometimes crazy things. Some foreigners would even call this "crazy" although not literally. I did not have the chance to ride on those tricycles since I was on board the bus... But perhaps you and I will have the chance to do so later on.
@flowerfest08 (1677)
•
4 Nov 11
hehe that's truly Pinoyfied... "proud to be pinoy!". I think that thing is what they called "Habal-habal" they use it for public transportation on some area that hard to reach by jeepney or car.
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
13 Nov 11
Yes, I guess its one kind of those "habal habal" rides. Its something unique from the other "habal habal" rides that I have seen in some places of our country. Despite the fact that it's dangerous and unsafe, people still ride considering that they have no choice since as there are still a lot of places in our country that cannot be reach by standard transportation.
@janevi (888)
• Philippines
5 Nov 11
That's the 'Habal-habal'. Pinoy ingenuity. I haven't ride on this kind yet. IT is usually the means of transportation for places that four-wheeled vehicles have a hard time to tread the road especially in the mountainous areas. The need for the transportation on hilly and mountainous terrain made Filipinos think and invernt this modified motorcycle. Truly only in the Philippines!
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
13 Nov 11
Yes, I do agree with you that its one of those "habal habal" rides that we have in our country. I have ridden some sort of habal habal but not that kind. In fact, that is the very first time I have seen such kind and that was the reason why I took the picture since I was really amazed. Well, truly indeed there is the Filipino ingenuity. The only downside is, we tend to take safety for granted.
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
10 Nov 11
Hi Queen, yes I think there is the possibility of losing balance when one or more disembarks. But believe it or not, I saw another one running with only a handful of passengers with one person on one side and two on the other side. Clearly, its difficult but somehow the driver was driving without any difficulty at all... Amazing and once again, Only in the Philippines!
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
18 Sep 16
I was also amazed when I saw it on TV,they call it "habal-habal" and I thought it is very dangerous; how can they maintain that balance?
