Willie Nelson's song On the Road Again has aptly described my work in the late 90s. Back in 1997, I worked as a salesman of a local entrepreneur based in Tagum City. We were cruising all over Mindanao during those days. It was relatively peaceful back then that we could conveniently use the Matalam to Tacurong road and pass the dreaded place of Buluan, Maguindanao. Our product was only a one-type commodity, it was a Kok & Kat version of salable Goldilocks Caramelized Popcorn.
We would travel for eight straight hours to carry our commodity on cities like Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Ozamis, Pagadian, Dipolog, Dapitan and Zamboanga. In Zamboanga City, I recall those difficult maneuvering with our Mitsubishi Model WT Delivery Van over those narrow, all-weather type road of Vitali which was nearly 150 kilometers away before one could reach Zamboanga City.
Back then, there was a one-lane road that cuts through the hillside of the mountainous Zamboanga Peninsula. We had to blow the horn so that we will not get clogged inside those canal-type driveways of Siocon. Only Rural Transit Corporation buses were serving as public transportation on those places.
There was this place that earned the moniker as a notorious peak, familiarly known among drivers and salesmen as Tuktuk Kalaw. It was impossible for all vehicles to move beyond the speed of 20 KPH due to nearly 45 degrees inclination coupled with protruding sharp rocks and spiking shells spread out over the unpaved road that could easily rip any Goodyear tires. The absence of vulcanizing shops in the area had made us more careful to pass through that killer peak. We were also cautioned by other sales companies about the danger of bandits in the area which were specifically targeting delivery trucks and vans, taking advantage of such a difficult uphill drive.
Travel time from Ipil to Zamboanga City would take us five to six hours during those days. We were young then and we had endured those grueling rides. This song of Willie Nelson On the Road Again, repeatedly played in our car stereo had literally given us a kick and a shove as we move from one city to another. Thanks to the owner of these Youtube vids.