Semi-Conductors

Of all the fascinating characters i come across while riding jeepneys, nothing intrigues me more than the person who goes out of his way - way, way out - just to help his fellow passengers. I dub him as the Semi-Conductor.

Why this name? It's because this person doesn't actually have any obligation inside the jeepney apart from being a passenger and pay the driver his fare. Except that the Semi-Conductor wants to stand apart from the rest of his fellow commuters and takes a step further by assuming the duties of a conductor by:

1. Telling the other passengers in the jeep to move their asses when a new commuter gets inside the vehicle .
2. Getting the fares of and returning the change of his fellow commuters.
3. Repeating a passenger's cry of "Manong, para!" when the said passenger is ignored by the driver of the jeep - even when multiple attempts are used - by saying "Hoy para raw!" in his usually deep and loud voice. Usually the driver stops after Semi-Conductors's intervention.
4. Informing the male passengers of the jeepney to move their bodies slightly forward when a female sits beside them, as to give her sitting space.

The Semi-Conductor usually sits in the middle of the jeepney, or near the driver, because it is much easier to perform his duties when he is placed there. The Semi-Conductor is always male, or perhaps i have not yet come across a Semi-Conductress, though i doubt there is one in existence (also highly improbable are the sabiteras - female passengers who cling to the outside of a jeep).

The Semi-Conductor may seem very annoying, but he really is not. Quite the opposite, in fact. He is helpful in his Semi-Conductor-ish sort of way, and who knows, when you ever find yourself in a jeepney situation where you need the services of a Semi-Conductor, you just might find yourself praying that there's one in the jeep you're riding.

:D