Jeepney Driver’s Online Gambling Addiction Saddens BecomingFilipino
BECOMINGFILIPINO — The content creator opened up about a very sad experience he had while riding a jeepney in the Philippines. Sitting right behind the driver, who seemed to be in his late 50s, he witnessed something that deeply touched him.
Every time the jeepney made a stop, the driver would quickly check his phone and play online slot games on Bingo Plus. During longer stops, he would reload small amounts of money through GCash, place bets, lose, and then reload again. In just a matter of minutes, the driver had lost most of the money he had earned from working that day.
BecomingFilipino shared that this was one of the saddest rides he had ever experienced. While he understands that gambling has long been part of Filipino culture through games like perya and sabong, he’s worried about how easily people can now gamble online. Advertisements for these gambling platforms are everywhere — on billboards, in apps, through text messages, and even on TV shows where gambling is sometimes promoted as “empowering.”
Seeing how quickly the driver lost his hard-earned money was heartbreaking. BecomingFilipino made a simple but serious appeal to GCash to disconnect from gambling websites, saying it has become too easy for people to get addicted.
Meanwhile, BecomingFilipino is the online name of Kyle Jennermann, a Canadian who has fallen in love with the Philippines. He moved to the country and has spent years exploring its beautiful places, learning the language, and experiencing Filipino culture firsthand. Through his YouTube channel and social media, Kyle shares his adventures — from visiting small towns to joining local festivals and meeting everyday Filipinos. His videos show not only the beauty of the Philippines but also the kindness and warmth of its people. Because of his genuine love and respect for the country, many Filipinos consider him one of their own.
Related Post: Content Creator Shares Why He Refuses to Promote Gambling