Meet the real driver-partners behind Grab’s heart-tugging short films

For these drivers, each booking is more than just a ride – it’s a chance to progress in life with the people around them

For every Grab transaction we’ve ever made, there’s another person on the other end: the driver or delivery person. We often only see their names for a fleeting moment or exchange no more than a greeting. But these are individuals with lives as deep and full as any other person, and Grab’s latest campaign is here to shine the spotlight on their dreams and passions.

Grab’s Itatawid, Ihahatid short films feature stories from real-life GrabCar and GrabFood partners, showing how each transaction and every Grab partner’s program helps raise not just them, but their loved ones. To dive in beyond the films, Rappler was able to meet two of the featured driver-partners in an intimate kapihan session at the Grab Asenso Center in Marikina City.

Roni, a GrabCar driver in his senior years, told us his story of finding passion and purpose through helping commuters. Mary Joy, on the other hand, took on GrabFood as her full-time job to take care of her family as a mom and an ate.

Finding new purpose in the golden years

For Roni, life continues to shine bright in his golden years. Taxiing commuters or “TNVS” is just one of his passions, which he calls his “three T’s.” The other two are being a talent in television shows and being a trainer for corporate teams. But he doesn’t stop there – he’s also a doting grandfather, a branding wiz (you can spot him during rides in his #TheGrabCarGuy shirt), and even occasionally, a magician.

When his children began their own lives, Roni began looking for avenues to build the next phase of his life. “Ano gagawin ko ngayon? Walang taping, walang training. So, when I went to Grab, nabuhayan ako. I wake up kasi [thinking], saan kaya ako dadalin ni Lord ngayon? Sino kaya ang tutulungan ko ngayon?”

(What do I do now? There’s no taping or training. So, when I went to Grab, I felt renewed. Now, I wake up thinking, where will the Lord take me this day? Who will I help today?)

Thanks to Grab’s flexible hours plus accessible training through the in-app Grab Academy, he was able to navigate the system on his own and be a full-time driver-partner, while still fulfilling opportunities for his other passions. 

More than work, it gives him purpose and opportunity to help commuters in need. “Every day when I wake up, I pray to the Lord to lead me to passengers who need to ride the most,” said Roni. As a top-performing partner who always goes the extra mile, he’s able to get benefits like free life insurance, medicine, and more through the Ka-Grab Rewards incentive system.

Sustainable work, supported family

GrabFood delivery partner Mary Joy also has a full life outside of work. She’s a mother and a big sister to four brothers, all under high school. To make ends meet in the past, she took on a multitude of odd jobs, from being a construction worker to a bouquet seller to a computer shop attendant. Still, times were hard with the bills and the children’s education.

Finally, her uncle, a fellow GrabFood delivery partner, suggested she also apply for the job. In under five days, she was able to come onboard and begin earning with Grab. “Doon na, naging okay na po kami. Nakakabayad ng bahay, tubig, ilaw, pangkain namin, baon ng mga kapatid ko. Tapos napabinyagan ko rin po yung baby ko nun,” shared Mary Joy.

(That’s when things got better for us. We were able to meet our payments for the house, water, lights, our food, and allowance for my brothers. I was also able to get my baby baptised.)

Mary Joy began fulfilling deliveries on a bike, depending on her strength and will to build a better life. With Grab, she sees how her hard work translates into income instantly. Fulfilling 20 rides, for example, earns her as much as twice the minimum wage daily.

Being a GrabFood delivery-partner also gives her access to programs like Grab Asenso loan, where Grab can let their partners borrow money and grow their credit based on transaction assessments.

Through this, she was able to get new shoes and uniforms for her brothers. She was also able to manage her money to fulfill her dreams of getting a new cellphone and an e-bike, which she pays for through installments. “Hindi lang po basta siya [pagiging] delivery partner. Trabaho na po talaga.,” said Mary Joy.

(It’s not just about being a delivery partner. It’s really a job.)

Grab’s Itatawid, Ihahatid stories help remind us that behind each transaction on our Grab app is another person with dreams, goals, and loved ones to support. For them, the journey doesn’t end when we get out of the car or pick up our food – it’s just one step closer to a better life for them and their community.

Watch Grab’s Itatawid, Ihahatid short films to get to know Roni, Mary Joy, and other inspiring driver-partners. – Rappler.com