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Plus sized rider Keneth Semera says he tried to promote body positivity while plying his trade as a motorcycle taxi driver. Photo from Semera's Facebook Page 'Fu N Chum'

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Plus sized motorcycle rider

Patricia Nicole Caasi

<div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1713683467311takbong chubby.jpg" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Plus-sized rider Keneth Semera says he tried to promote body positivity while plying his trade as a motorcycle taxi driver. Photo from Semera&#x27;s Facebook Page &#x27;Fu N Chum&#x27;</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">MANILA - Roving the busy streets of Manila, Joyride driver Keneth Semera often draws stares and sometimes harsh comments for his stout physique. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Undeterred, the 31-year-old is on a mission not just to transport his passengers safely, but to also push for body positivity. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Semera regularly shares with his 18,000 Facebook followers his experiences as a rider, including getting comments about his weight and passengers who cancel their rides upon meeting him. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Meron [magkokomento], ‘Ang laki-laki mo, magpapayat ka.’ Tapos, ‘Yung motor mo ang liit, hindi bagay sayo, bumili ka ng ganitong motor.’ Tapos ako naman sinasagot ko na lang na, ‘Ang sarap kasi kumain eh, lalo na kung pinaghihirapan mo yung pambili mo ng pagkain.’ Kumbaga parang nakikipag-biruan na lang din ako,” he said.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Hindi naman ako nao-offend sa mga ganoong situation, kaya ko naman i-handle talaga. Malawak na pag-iisip na lang talaga at pag-unawa.” </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(There are sometimes comments, ‘You are too big, your motorcycle is too small.’ Sometimes I just reply, ‘It’s because it&#x27;s fun to eat, especially if you worked hard for your food.’ I don’t get offended in these situations because I know how to handle them. You just need to widen your understanding.)</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Semera used to work as a dispatcher and a porter near Pasay for commuters traveling to Bicol. Before becoming a full-time rider, he used to have a small online business and delivered parcels. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Semara, who weighs around 110 kilos or over 242 pounds, recently went viral for posting a photo with a plus-sized passenger. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> “That day, saktong may customer ako nakapag-book sakin which is hindi ko naman in-expect na plus-sized din siya kasi kumbaga sa [app] wala namang profile eh, ako lang yung makikita nila. Nagulat ako, pero sabi ko pagkakataon na ‘to para masagot ko yung mga nagko-comment, yung mga nangba-bash,” said Semera.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(That day, I unexpectedly got booked by a customer who was also plus-sized. I did not expect it because in the app, only my profile is displayed. I was surprised, but I told myself this is my chance to answer bashers and questions. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">In the Facebook post that has gained 75,000 likes, he explained that he could drive safely with any passenger regardless of their weight. He added that he had passed tests on his driving skills twice. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“</span><span style="color:#050505;background-color:#ffffff;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">SAFE BA?? Safe yan hanggat nakakapag maneho ako nang maayos at umaandar yung motor ko… Wala po akong tinatanggihan na booking hanggat kaya ng motor ko at kaya kong magmaneho nang maayos go lang yan,” he said in the caption. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#050505;background-color:#ffffff;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=8116884498328930&amp;set=a.720178454666275&amp;type=3&amp;rdid=1ok0c3YjR3QIuztY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1713667543842plus size joyride.jpg" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></a></span><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The customer in the viral photo, Mary Ann Grace Gomolon, shared that she had been using motorcycle-hailing services since 2019 because of their speed and convenience. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">But she said that some heavyset customers often get anxious that riders might decline their booking.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Maraming mga plus-sized na takot sumakay baka ma-bully sila ng rider or tanggihan sila,” Grace said.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(A lot of plus-size individuals are afraid to book a ride for fear of getting bullied by the rider or getting declined.) </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Semera, who had been a Joyride driver for three years, said some of his Facebook followers have also shared their experiences with unpleasant rides.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Sa mga comment section, may isang comment dun na parang binastos siya ng driver na sinabihan na, ‘Ang laki-laki mo ‘tas mag bu-book ka ng ganito,’” he said. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(In the comment section, there was one comment saying that they were insulted by a driver saying, ‘You are too huge and you’ll book this.’) </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“May mga nababasa din ako na yung mga nakukuha nilang rider bastos. Usually, hindi lang naman sa mga plus-size, pati din sa mga LGBTQ+ parang nababastos din sila,” he said. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(I have also read that they get very rude riders. Usually, it’s not only experienced by plus-sized individuals but also members of the LGBTQ+ community.) </span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffunchum.imperial%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0yWXAatxz9A18Fvv7vjQgPvSB84ZBxJKFUo33xU7qw81eZ3cE2SUjWQeu3iDgH3mfl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="673" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Semera said he hopes ride-hailing firms could reorient drivers on proper etiquette towards customers. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Mas maganda na [magkaroon] ng orientation ulit, makausap lahat ng rider, kung paano makipag-communicate sa lahat ng magiging pasahero ng maging patas yung tingin niyo sa lahat, maganda man, pogi, bakla, tomboy,  plus-size, or payat,” he said. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(It would be better if there were another orientation for riders on how to communicate effectively to all passengers fairly, regardless if they are good-looking, gay, lesbian, plus-size, or skinny.)</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Semera also wants to continue using his platform to promote acceptance of all body types.     </span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Hindi nila alam yung istorya ng buhay ko, kung paano ako dumiskarte ng pera,” he said.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br/></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“[Gusto kong] </span><span style="color:#000000;background-color:transparent;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">mapakita ko lang sa kanila na, ‘Ako to, hindi niyo kaya yung ginagawa ko dahil magkaiba tayo eh, magkaiba tayo ng tinatahak sa buhay.’ Kumbaga kasi [kapag] plus-sized ka, marami ka ring pwedeng gawin na di kayang gawin ng ibang tao,” he said. </span></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffunchum.imperial%2Fvideos%2F437648755279487%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=285&amp;t=0" width="285" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/2024/2/25/romualdez-says-legalizing-motorcycle-taxis-a-house-priority-1257">Romualdez says legalizing motorcycle taxis a House priority</a><br/><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/12/14/23/7-new-angkas-competitors-eyed-before-christmas">More Angkas competitors coming as DOTr expands motorcycle taxi program</a></div>

<p>Roving the busy streets of Manila, Joyride driver Keneth Semera often draws stares and sometimes harsh comments for his stout physique. </p>

Roving the busy streets of Manila, Joyride driver Keneth Semera often draws stares and sometimes harsh comments for his stout physique.

'Takbong Chubby Lang': Plus-sized driver champions body positivity one ride at a time

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'Takbong Chubby Lang': Plus-sized driver champions body positivity one ride at a time

Patricia Nicole Caasi

Published April 21, 2024 02:26 PM PHT

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Updated April 21, 2024 03:11 PM PHT

Read More:

motorcycle taxi

ride hailing

motorcycle

plus sized rider

Angkas

weight

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obesity

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