Empty Tanks, Full Faith

by Seneca Moraleda-Puguan

“Wala na kong kinikita, Sir! Napupunta lahat sa boundary.” (I’m not earning anything anymore, Sir! It all goes to the boundary, known as the operator’s daily fee).

Grab driver Jeaybster Balse, with sadness in his voice and a thick Bisayan accent, said this to my husband, John Marc. What started as a light conversation about the meaning of his unique name slowly unfolded into a story about his life and the struggles he faces as a Grab driver working under an operator.

With a daily boundary of 1,500 pesos and the rising fuel prices, he barely has anything left to take home to support his family: his parents, nieces, and nephews.

My husband and I have always loved talking to and listening to the stories of our ride-hailing (Grab and InDrive) drivers. Before the war, many of them would say that their earnings were enough to sustain their needs.

But now, with fuel prices skyrocketing, their tone has changed, and their spirits have dampened. We can sense the sorrow in their voices, the quiet panic behind their stories.

Some of them shared that a number of their fellow drivers have already stopped working. But for those who remain, stopping is not an option. Questions haunt them: What will happen to our families? Will this ever end?

In many ways, we understand their struggle. When we were living in South Korea, and the Ukraine-Russia war began, we also felt the burden of rising fuel prices. I even developed a habit of checking and comparing gas prices at every station we passed.

But this crisis does not only affect motorists, it affects everyone. When fuel prices rise, the cost of basic commodities follows. And with news of the Philippines’ fuel supply depleting, a sense of panic fills the air. We may brush it off and go about our daily routines, but the tension is real.

A Facebook post from one of our pastors deeply encouraged me, and I hope it brings encouragement to you as well.

He pointed out that while many funny memes about fuel price hikes are circulating, they reflect something very real beneath the surface. For many of our countrymen who live day to day on what they earn, this is not just an inconvenience – it is a heavy burden.

These are indeed challenging times. But his reflection on Romans 4 spoke powerfully. He reminded us of Abraham, who received a promise from God that he would become the father of many nations, even when everything in his situation seemed to contradict that promise. He was old, his body was “as good as dead,” and the future looked humanly impossible.

Yet Abraham responded differently. He did not deny reality, he faced it honestly. But he also held on to something deeper. He was fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised. Against all hope, Abraham hoped.

Today, we face a reality that seems to go against all hope – depleting fuel supply and skyrocketing prices that may lead to devastating consequences. But like Abraham, we can choose to trust that God is able to fulfill His promises- that He will meet all our needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

I agree with our pastor: we live in this tension- honest about our circumstances, yet anchored in hope. Our family still wishes we could do more to ease the burden of the drivers we meet in every ride.

For now, we give what we can- an extra tip, a kind word, and encouragement: “Kapit lang kuya! Mabuti ang Panginoon. Hindi ka Niya pababayaan.” (Hold on, brother! The Lord is good. He will not forsake you.)

We hope these small gestures bring even a little comfort. And just like in every story I tell, hope is alive. Hope has a Name. His Name is Jesus.

The fuel prices may increase, but He provides. The future may be dim, but He brings light to the darkness and He holds our world in His hands.

Again I will say, against all hope, we continue to hope. Fuel tanks may be empty, but faith remains full.