Introduction

Whenever we hear the word iskeyts(skates), the usual things that pop into our minds are the beauty of white snow, the crystal glints of the winter and the bonding of the family over a hot cup of coco milk and roasted marshmallow on a fireplace but here in the Philippines particularly in Naga City, Camarines Sur; iskeyts is not just a form of enjoyment. It's their way of transportation, way of livelihood and it's been part of their life.


Iskeyts(skates) is a kind of transportation here in the Philippines that can only be found traveling from some places in Quezon Province and in Bicol. It is also used to travel firewood, groceries and other things that can be carried on these light weight rail cars.


Back then in the year 1970's, where people to be using iskeyts already but uses man-power to operate it or this is better known as "di-tulak". It was a telephone lineman whom innovated the use of "di-tulak" into the iskeyts we have now which is powered by engines.

These Skates are made from pieces of woods that are in either square or rectangular in shape having as many as possible seats that it can have. It has an engine which makes the traveling faster yet jellylike experience or shaky. Skates uses also the same rail road as for the trains.


Here in Naga City, wherein we focus our fishing expedition at most, the biyaheng iskeyts start before the sun rises and end when the sun is already set. It travels into 3 different Barangay upon reaching Naga City these are Capucnasan, Maycatmon and San Antonio.

The terminal of iskeyts in Naga City is located at Corner A Matinez and Roxas Ave. Zone 6 rail Road Side, Concepcion Pequena, Naga City.

Buhay Iskeyts

A regular driver would usually earn up to 500.00php. depending on how assiduous he could be. If you also would want to rent a iskeyts you could either rent to those whom are in line or "nakapila" or to those whom are not or "riso". You could still save money if you choose the "riso" but remember to negotiate with them very well. The minimum amount for renting for those "nakapila" is 100.00php while for those "riso" is 80.00php or lower.

The main benefit that the driver of skeyts get from this is that they still have plenty passengers despite of having buses, jeepneys, taxi, etc. The regular fare in this kind of transportation is only 5.00php regardless woth your position while riding it, whether your seating or standing in the iskeyts for they are usually follow the rule "first come, first serve". Despite of having a very low fare they could still sustain their needs this is because with a 96.00php gasoline, which is already a full tank , can travel into those 3 barangays mentioned with a one back and forth route.

Of course for this kind of transportation it still have its advantages and disadvantages with regards to the lives of the drivers and passengers,namely:

ADVANTAGES:

• Drivers

1. There is no traffic signs.
2. The engine do not consume so much gasoline.
3. Less competition with regards to other iskeyts drivers because there are only few.

• Passengers

1. Faster for there is no traffic.
2. Cheaper fare.
3. Convinient.

DISADVANTAGES:

• Drivers

1. One-way railroads.
2. Frictionless or slippery railroad.
3. Illegal.


• Passengers

1. Weather;too hot when sunny day and you could be wet when it rains.
2. Structure and size of iskeyts.
3. Overloading passengers

Background and Significance of the Study

Bihayeng Iskeyts will not just focus on traveling and showing different scenery that feeds our eyes but traveling that can also feed our hearts and minds with regards to reality of life for this would mainly discuss a kind of unique transportation that can only be found in the Philippines and will feature the lives of people that depends on skates and an inclusive community nearby the railroad; where skates is a minified innovation of an improvised train-like transportation sharing the railroad with those huge trains. Also featuring the things such as its routes and destinations, advantages and disadvantages and also how is it accepted.

"Biyaheng iskeyts" means traveling with the use of skates as transportation. We choose this as our title for it is of course very catchy, little known and shows our bicolano's side. We change the spelling of the word "skates" to "iskeyts" primarily because for you to not be confuse on what kind of skates we are discussing about and considering that we want to show and give you a different experience of traveling then take this as the start of it!

This blog spot aims:

• to let other people know that "skates" exists as a form of unusual transportation.
  
• to discuss iskeyts as a form of transportation: advantages and disadvantages.
  
• to share what life is like for the people that depends on it.
  
• to educate the people of importance that the "skates" as part of our culture and
• tradition.
  
• to inform people about the help that the "skates" can give to our economy and to the PNR.