Back in the day, it was still astonishing to see women riding motorcycles traversing the road traffic, let alone do the job of making timely deliveries for our orders. But a lot has changed in recent years. There has never been a better time than now to go into delivery freelancing as more options are presented to women who want to work in the field.
Such prospects are offered by online delivery platforms like foodpanda, which provides this equal opportunity to everyone, regardless of gender or age. The leading online quick commerce delivery platform helps women gain their foothold in this male-dominated market, proving that female riders can also do as much or be even better at doing the same job.
On women’s month, foodpanda celebrates its women Ka-panda delivery partners who are breaking the norm and their extraordinary stories of grit and resilience.
Supermom rider
For Raquel Galgo, learning how to ride a motorcycle started as a way to fetch her children to and from school. Eventually, it became a livelihood opportunity for the 44-year-old mom.
“Ginamit ko yung skills ko sa pagmo-motor para makapag-trabaho bilang Ka-panda rider. Dahil sa magandang kita, nakabili na kami ng bagong motor at naipasok ko pa ang asawa ko para maging rider din sa foodpanda.”
Aside from being a delivery partner for two years now, Raquel also works part-time doing laundry for others. “Dahil maluwag naman ang oras sa pagiging Ka-panda, nakakapag-sideline pa rin ako bilang labandera at taga-plantsa para may extra income pa at masuportahan namin ‘yung tatlong anak namin.”
Despite the hardships in life, Raquel stays inspired and committed to give her children a better future. “Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa foodpanda dahil ito ang naging main source of income naming mag-asawa para buhayin ang pamilya at mapag-tapos namin ng pag-aaral ‘yung mga anak namin.”
A loving apo
To support her studies and family, especially her grandmother, Bianca Peñaflor took on the job of being a Ka-panda rider. “Gusto ko po maibalik sa lola ko ang tulong na binigay niya sakin para makapagpatuloy po ako sa pag-aaral.”
While doing deliveries for foodpanda, Bianca is also an online food seller. “Dahil hawak ko naman po ang oras ko sa pagiging Ka-panda, suma-sideline din ako sa pagbebenta ng pagkain katulad ng burger, empanada at iba pang mga meryenda na ako din mismo ang nag-dedeliver.”
She also shared how foodpanda helped her as a breadwinner of the family. “Malaking tulong ang pagiging Ka-panda dahil alam at nakikita ko na may nakakain ang aking pamilya, kaya worth it naman ang pagod.”
Resilient single mom
Before joining as a Ka-panda rider, Marilyn Lorenzo used to sell vegetables and also worked in housekeeping. As a single mom, she will do anything for her child. Being a Ka-panda rider was the only job that kept her afloat with all the bills.
“Kahit sa edad ko na halos pa-senior citizen na, tinanggap pa rin ako bilang delivery partner kaya malaki talaga ang pasasalamat ko sa sa foodpanda. Dahil sa inyo, kaya ko nang tustusan ang gastusin sa pag-aaral ng anak ko para makatapos sya.”
“We salute Raquel, Bianca, and Marilyn for their strength and determination, together with all our women Ka-pandas around the country. Any woman looking for working opportunities as a rider partner are welcome at foodpanda, and we are here to support and help them every step of the way,” said Patricia Jacinto, operations director of foodpanda Philippines.
Apart from the special feature of foodpanda, the three women Ka-pandas also received sponsored items from partners like Jetti Petroleum, a brand new motorcycle from TVS, narzo smartphones, as well as foodpanda merchandise, dri-fit shirts, and windbreaker jackets, which they can all use in their livelihood. foodpanda also gladly granted Lorenzo’s wish to have her dentures finally fixed.
Watch our women Ka-pandas share their awe-inspiring stories with actress and beauty queen, Megan Young, in this video posted on the foodpanda riders Facebook page.