If you have been reading my blog, you probably already know how much I love Uber. I've been using it religiously since around October last year and I can stand by my words that I find their services outstanding.
It made me very upset when the LTFRB started to pick on Uber few months back. I use Uber everyday going to work and going out on weekends. I probably have spent enough to fend for my driving lessons, but who has time to get on the road ahead of everybody, find a parking and drive back home? Not me--and probably a lot of others, too, who has been tired of haggling 'against' ruthless taxi drivers.

Uber, if you didn't know, by definition, is classified as a Ride Sharing service. What sets them apart from taxicabs is that they are owned by private individuals under no franchise. In the country today, every transportation service, according to the law, needs franchising to operate legally. This means Uber, not matter how great we know their service is, is not in the scope.

Today, Uber is encouraging all of us to help them to Get Ridesharing Regulations Signed by DOTC and LTFRB.
These are the exact statements from Uber Manila:

For the last six months, DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya and LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez have shown tremendous leadership in crafting a regulatory framework that will allow the people of Metro Manila to continue enjoying a new and revolutionary transportation option.

The Philippines has the opportunity to cement its reputation as one of the fastest growing and most progressive countries in Asia, by becoming the first country after the United States to create a dedicated framework for ridesharing. This would be an amazing achievement not only for our government, but for all Filipinos.

This sounds like it's a bigger deal than just letting Uber officially get on the road. Private organisations such as Uber are paving it's way to keep our country moving forward, and now they need our help.

To show your support, please Sign the Petition by click on the button below:

[su_button url="https://action.uber.org/manila/" target="blank" style="flat" background="#3ac781" color="#ffffff" size="8" center="yes" icon="icon: pencil" text_shadow="0px 0px 0px #324a28"]SIGN THE PETITION[/su_button]

Or by visiting this link:
https://action.uber.org/manila/

Aah. It's the season to be jolly--and be stuck in traffic, be trampled by aggressive shoppers, and be anxious about muggers and pickpockets, be wrestled by other commuters, and/or be ripped-off by taxicabs. Christmas means fun but could also mean quite a handful things to do and go through to get everything ready.

If you are a total genius like me, you probably haven't started Christmas shopping yet even when we are already this close *putting my hands together* to the Christmas Eve. This is me every year, people. I haven't learned my lesson.

[caption id="attachment_246" align="aligncenter" width="461"] LTFRB just won't leave Uber alone[/caption]

LTFRB just won't leave Uber alone.

If you have read my previous posts, you probably know by now how much I love Uber. Like if Uber is a person she's my best friend. You know what, screw it. It is indeed my bestfriend. Uber, when I found out about it, I was astounded to know that such service exists and I used it regularly since then. The first time I heard about LTFRB coming after Uber, I was outraged. And now that they are actuallymaking a move opting to shut them down, I just lost my faith in the government. Completely.

I don't know who they are doing this for, if it's a tax-related issue or an issue of cab companies

(You can get a free P300 credit by using this promo code: uberTRXGB8)

It's at times like this when you can really put things to the test.

I have recently discovered this not-so-new pay-per-ride chauffeur service that takes your cab experience to a new level:
Uber - Everyone's Private Driver
It may sound a bit overwhelming (the way I said it, maybe), but to put it simply, it's a taxi* service that let's you book a car to pick you up through an app--whenever you need it.
Basically it's just a fancier version of GrabTaxi.
But instead of riding a taxi, you ride a personal car;
But instead of having a taxi meter, they have an iPad (way to go Manong!);
But instead of paying cash, you pay with your credit card (could be a downer for some, but this actually makes it so convenient.)

I was really looking forward to trying it out. Today in Manila, we are in a bad weather under Typhoon Mario--and it really looks like I could use a good service to bring me home.