‘Tuloy ang laban’: PISTON bids farewell to Tatay Elmer

MANILA — Every day, Elvira rode alongside her husband, Elmer Cordero, fondly known as “Tatay Elmer,” as he drove their jeepney from Caloocan to Manila to earn a living.

It was a simple routine they shared for years, one that has now come to an end with the loss of the man who had always been by her side.

“Talagang sobra kong ma-mi-miss. Sobra kong ma-mi-miss ‘yung sama-sama namin sa pagbiyahe. Naghahanapbuhay siya, kasa- kasama niya rin ako,” Elvira said.

“Minsan nga di na kami umuuwi, may mga sidewalk na may mga tindahan dun lang kami, kakain kami, tapos pag merong pa-parkingan ng jeep, makakapag-relax kami,” she said.

Elmer, 78, a member of transport group PISTON, died on October 7, days after suffering a heart attack during a transport strike in Caloocan City on September 29. He was rushed to a hospital.

“Bilang asawa, talagang kinakabahan na ako nun. Hind ko alam anong naglalaro sa isipan ko. Di ko sukat akalain na pagdating ko dun, di na pala kami magkaka-usap,” she said.

She said her husband had been ill for a long time but continued driving their jeepney despite his age because they had no other source of income.

“May nararamdaman na rin siya, pero di niya iniinda. Alam mo naman mahirap lang kami, pag di siya naghanapbuhay wala kaming kakainin,” she said.

“Mabait siya tapos responsable siya kahit mahirap lang kami, maganda naman ang pagsasama namin. Wala kaming anak pero dun niya binubuhos yung pagmamahal niya sa bata,” she said.

On Wednesday, PISTON held a caravan in honor of Tatay Elmer, starting from his wake at Claret Church in Quezon City. His remains were brought to St. Peter Chapels in La Loma, Caloocan for cremation.

The group released white balloons and paid tribute to its dedicated member.

According to PISTON national president Mody Floranda, Elmer joined the group in 2018. Floranda said he was surprised because Elmer had initially been reluctant to join their protests.

“Dati ayaw niya sumali sa rally, ayaw niya sumama sa welga. 2018, nung maramdamam nila ‘yung phaseout nung usapin ng modernization, dun sya nag-miyembro,” Floranda said.

“Si Tatay Elmer, bagamat hindi siya operator at siya ay lehitimong driver, pero ang inaano niya talaga na kabuhayan niya ‘yan eh, na may pakialam siya sa kaniyang kabuhayan,” he said.

Since then, Tatay Elmer became a regular and active participant in the group’s activities. He was even elected president of PISTON’s Caloocan chapter.

He was also among the PISTON 6 arrested in 2020 for taking part in a protest against the suspension of jeepney operations at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Kahit mga simpleng meeting lang, kahit mga simpleng forum o mga rally, talagang nandyan siya. Pinakikita niya ‘yung pakikiisa niya, di lamang sa issue ng driver, kundi sa issue ng mga mamamayan,” he said.

Floranda said Tatay Elmer also joined protests organized by other sectors.

“Si Tatay Elmer ay hindi lang driver, hindi lang ama ng mga driver, kundi ama siya ng mga kabataan, mga mga estudyante, ama siya ng iba’t ibang sektor. Mataas ‘yung pagrespeto sa kanya,” he said.

Even among members of PISTON’s Caloocan chapter, Tatay Elmer left lasting lessons and memories that continue to inspire them.

“Hnd matatawaran ang pagkapangulo ni Tatay Elmer. Sa puntong kahit minsan wala na siya at nagagagwa pa rin niya ‘yung mga kasama niya, bigyan ng pamasahe, bigyan ng mga kung anong bagay na meron siya na di niya pinagdadamot,” said Ruben Baylon, a member of the Caloocan chapter.

“‘Yung kaniyang sinimulan, itutuloy namin ‘yan hanggang sa tagumpay,” he added.

Even in death, Tatay Elmer’s raised fist lives on in the photo displayed at his wake, his shirt bearing the words “Tuloy ang laban.” It stands as a reminder of the fight he chose to stand for until the end and, as his fellow PISTON members say, the struggle they vow to carry forward.