“Laban lang!” (Just fight!)

This was his kind of honk during protests as he shakes his hand with everyone he encounters. He would happily swing the Piston flag while marching to Mendiola. There, he would gracefully dance to Awit ng Kalayaan (Song of Freedom).

This is also how the jeepney driver and activist Elmer Cordero became a familiar face in the streets. Youth and activists refer to him as “Tatay Elmer.”

Until his last breath, Tatay Elmer devoted himself to the cause despite his limitations.

According to Piston president Mody Floranda, Tatay Elmer had difficulty breathing while he was at the nationwide transport strike on September 29. He was then confined at the Caloocan City Medical Center.

On October 7, he passed away at the age of 78.

Behind the wheel

For nearly five decades, he has been navigating the routes of Metro Manila as a jeepney driver. Considering his health, he was scheduled to operate at 5:00 pm onwards on the Monumento-Baclaran route.

He became publicly known as one of the Piston 6 who were arrested during the pandemic while staging the “Balik Pasada Protest.” His wife Elvira shared in an interview with Bulatlat that she thought Tatay Elmer would just give some food to his fellow jeepney drivers who had nothing to eat.

“During that time, we are getting by somehow because of some food assistance. His fellow driver in Monumento has no food left. So, he took two kilos of rice to give to his friend,” Elvira said.

At first, she did not believe that Tatay Elmer was arrested. She did not know that he and the other jeepney drivers who lost livelihood had no choice but to collectively beg for financial and food assistance on the streets.

Six of them were detained for at least a week for opposing the ban on the operations of all public transportation. She said that the protocols during the lockdown made it hard to visit him, as Elvira also takes care of Jamjam.

Tatay Elmer and Elvira did not have children of their own. But they took care of their relatives Joshua, 27, and Jamjam, 9. They have been living under their roof since they were born, prompting Tatay Elmer to continue working.

“It was painful when he was detained because it didn’t matter if we had nothing to eat. It just so happened that he went there,” she added.

Jamjam also shared that Tatay treated every youth who knows him as his own apo (grandchild).

It was one of their memories that proved Tatay Elmer as a kind, giving, and welcoming person.

As a husband, he was patient and loving, always making sure to patch things up before leaving for work. But, Elvira admitted that he cannot stop Tatay Elmer from joining protests regardless of his age and health.

His arrest made him follow the route of activism.

Routes taken

“If there’s a mobilization and we forgot to invite him, he would feel slighted,” recalled Piston treasurer Puring Campos. Tatay Elmer does not just join protests during his free schedule but really makes time for it.

Since 2020, he has been consistent in joining Piston meetings, strikes, and rallies.

“He was always the first to come. In his short time in the movement, this is where he arrived. It has been six years of ceaseless deed,” Campos said in Filipino.

Cultural performances were Tatay Elmer’s favorite. His colleagues also said that he was the happiest during protests.

Last September 11, Campos said that Tatay Elmer commuted alone to Tarlac to participate in a protest and caravan against Pax Silica even if he was already suffering from lower back pain.

When asked as to why he still came despite his health, he answered, “I am here because I want to. If I were to die, at least I would die fighting.”

Piston National Deputy Secretary-General Bong Baylon said that Tatay Elmer always had that spirit of persistence. Even with jeepney mechanical problems, he would not give up until he found the issue and resolved it.

Aside from being a veteran driver, Tatay Elmer was an electrician. He had a car repair and a vulcanizing shop before becoming a full-time jeepney driver. Baylon was one of his first customers.

“He was so friendly that the shop somehow went bankrupt. Every time we cannot pay, he would just let it slide. He would still repair our jeepneys next time,” he said, stressing that Tatay Elmer was an expert at lights and wirings.

Baylon said that it was his kindness that made people honor him. His courage to fight even in his weak days also became an inspiration to never stop until the system changed.

“It was because he knew what it felt to be a public service driver when the fare was still P0.60 and now it’s Php 14,” Baylon said, adding that Tatay Elmer’s fight came from his genuine desire for better conditions.

Piston NCR President Ely Villena said that Tatay Elmer would not be forced to join protests amid his health condition if the government is not taking advantage of the masses.

Portrait of Elmer Cordero by Jamjam. Photo by Shannia Cabuello/Bulatlat.

Road ahead

“If they are giving the needs of the transport workers, Ka Elmer would not be in this position,” he said, stressing that Tatay Elmer had been fighting for lower price of oil, removal of value added tax, and liveable wage for workers until his last breath.

He added that Tatay Elmer’s strength to walk from Philcoa to Batasan was a testimony of how far he can go for what he fought for.

He navigated the difficult paths in the hopes to fix it for future generations. He did this as he raised Jamjam, who enthusiastically told stories about Tatay Elmer to visitors.

“He loves chicken inasal and fish. I feel like I got my talent in drawing from Daddy (Tatay Elmer),” Jamjam said while drawing a portrait of Tatay Elmer raising his right fist.

She added that they competed with each other over who draws better. He treated her to Manila Zoo and local fast-food chains. He brought her to protests where she first watched a cultural performance.

Jamjam now dreams to become a cultural performer. She said she would start learning how to play guitar. She hopes to sing in protests and fight like her Daddy when she is old enough.

His wife Elvira also called on the public to continue fighting, especially for the transport workers.

For those who remember Tatay Elmer know that his legacy must live on. The transport sector, commuters, youth, artists, and fellow activists would take the same road as he did.

Until there is exploitation and oppression, the masses will keep marching and dancing to Aldeem Yanez’ song Tuloy ang Laban (The Struggle Continues). (DAA)

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