Here's a rare breed of taxi driver

I was listening to two men arguing on radio about the existence or non-existence of Hell. One of the two said it's not true there is Hell. By the way, who was it who said, "Hell is truth seen too late."

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One billion pesos have been set aside to wipe out the NPA rebels. Let's hope the rebels really get wiped out. Not the P1 billion.

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It says here that the Palace has stepped up the drive against corruption. I've heard this said many times before but corruption stays. Corruption is like weeds which, according to the Germans, never die.

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I met a rare breed of taxi driver last Tuesday. He drove the taxi I rode in, a 2002 Toyota Corolla. Spic 'n' span inside the cab. Good choice of freshener. The aircon was in tip-top condition. The driver - oh, yes, the driver - he was well groomed. He talked about the cabbie's commitment to the riding public. He spoke impeccable English.

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"It's not often nga makasakay kog taxi ingon ka limpyo ning imong unit ... ug ang aircon nagtrabaho 100 percent." I said.

"Wow, salamat, Sir. It's not often sad makadungog kog pagdayeg gikan sa pasahero. Maikog man gud tas pasahero kun hugaw ug baho atong taxi, Sir," he answered.

"Imong aircon bugnaw kaayo ... Di gyud magmahay ang imong pasahero bisan pilay maplete."

"Maikog tas pasahero, Sir, kun pulos ray hangin ang mogawas sa aircon ... Ang comfort gikan sa aircon apil baya na sa gibayran sa pasahero."

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When we got to my destination, the meter showed P62.50. I handed him P100. He gave me a P40 changed and then said: "Thank you, Sir."

"Alkanse ka, Dong," I said.

"OK lang, Sir, wa koy sensiyo," he said.

"Mahal ra bang gasolina."

"Ah ... P2.50 goodwill ra na. Mas maayo akoy alkanse kaysa akong pasahero."

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See? He's a rare breed of taxi driver, isn't he? Have you met a cabbie like this cabbie?