'Grab Vioke': This ride-hailing driver lets passengers sing traffic blues away
Traffic in Metro Manila has gotten so bad that it currently ranks as the worst in the world, according to the TomTom Traffic Index. In 2023, the average travel time per 10 kilometers was recorded at 25 minutes and 30 seconds, versus 24 minutes and 50 seconds in 2022.
The bumper-to-bumper situation even caused Coldplay frontman Chris Martin to write an impromptu song about it, describing Manila traffic as “insane” when he performed for a sold-out crowd at the Philippine Arena.
One Grab driver is also harnessing the power of music to beat the traffic blues. Robert Jurado Querol, or “Dada Roby” to his passengers, has a videoke set-up inside his vehicle, allowing them to have a jamming session while stuck in a traffic jam. Dada Roby, who has only been driving a Grab Car for nine months, finds it a fun diversion on the road and a great way to make new friends. He has a mini speaker on the dashboard, a small microphone, and a video monitor that is connected to YouTube where passengers can choose their tunes.
@dadarobygrabvioke ♬ original sound - Roby Querol
Perfect pitch
Dada Roby posts his Grab Vioke videos on his TikTok account and hopes to grow his following as a content creator on the app. His car boasts a sticker of his page with the tagline, “Traffic ka lang, singer kami!”
He has many stories about passengers who take on his free “Grab Vioke” challenge. “One time, may napick up akong mag boyfriend, at 'yung babae ang kumanta para sa boyfriend niya. Sabi ko kasi sa kanila, palagi na lang 'yung lalaki ang nanghaharana, dapat babae din,” he tells PhilSTAR L!fe.
He also says some passengers don't want to get off even upon arriving at their destination. “Tinatanong nila kung pwede pa ako umikot kasi gusto pa nila kumanta,” he laughs. “Sinasagot ko na naghahanapbuhay po ako eh.”
One of his most recent singers was a 90-year-old on his way to a checkup at a hospital. “Nakakatuwa na nakakapagpasaya ako,” he muses.
Dada Roby says there are times when he sings to entertain himself while waiting for his bookings. Sometimes, he also gets requests from his passengers. “Nakapick up ako ng dalawang Korean na galing ng airport. Nakita nila 'yung set-up ko at 'yung sign ko sa bintana. Kahit barok-barok na English, inaya ko sila kumanta. Sabi nila, ako na lang daw. Kaya ayun, kumanta naman ako, at sobrang tuwa nilang dalawa. First time daw sila nakasakay sa ganito,” he says, proud to have been the one to give them a memorable welcome to the country.
@dadarobygrabvioke ♬ original sound - Roby Querol
He is always ready to perform, he says, given his background as a character actor before he left to work as an OFW in the Middle East. “Palaging kontrabida ang papel ko,” he smiles. “Marami na din akong nagawang series noon, isa diyan 'yung Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan. Kanang-kamay na kontrabida ako ni Mylene Dizon doon.” His daughters are also musical talents branded as the Mory Sisters under Cornerstone Management.
Music and his faith are his constant companions and the foundations of his character even through the toughest times. To save on his gasoline expenses and toll fees, he only goes home to his family in Laguna every Friday, sleeping in his car while parked at a gasoline station in Quezon City.
“Mahirap kasi iisang posisyon ka lang matulog, pero nasanay na din ako. Para ito sa pamilya ko,” he says.