Food delivery riders turn to online caroling

In a twist to make the most out of the holiday season, some food delivery riders in the Philippines have been opting to do online caroling as a way to spread Christmas cheer and earn extra tips.

Vincent, 24, a food delivery rider, is among those engaging in a humorous way of Christmas caroling. When a delivery gets linked up to his application, he sends a message with the hashtag “#ONLINECAROLING20204,” along with his GCash number and the lyrics of several famous Christmas jingles accompanied with emojis.

In a phone call interview with the food delivery rider on 16 December, he stated that he did that to also earn a bit on the side, as caroling during Christmas feels like something deeply rooted in Filipino tradition.

He also added that some customers send small tips to his GCash account, with the highest amount he’s received being P75. While these tips may be modest, they add up over time and provide crucial support for Vincent and his family, which includes his 11-year-old eldest child, a six-year-old, a two-year-old and a four-month-old baby.

“It helps with extra expenses because I have four children to take care of. This is my full-time job, and I’m the only one working between me and my partner,” Vincent shared.

The rider clarified that while he sends out the online caroling message, there is no obligation for customers to send tips.

“If they give, I’m grateful. If they don’t, that’s fine too because I’m just happy to complete their order,” he said.

He also noted that this quirky practice has become a way for him to connect with his customers.

One of Vincent’s customers, 23-year-old Regine Pama, was caught off guard by the gesture but found it both funny and endearing.

“It’s such a pandemic thing to do, and it feels very like 2020. During the height of the pandemic, even normal people did it on their social media platforms,” she said.

This shift to online caroling mirrors practices that became common in 2020 when the Department of Health recommended avoiding physical caroling and gatherings due to the risks of spreading Covid-19.

While the situation has largely returned to normal, areas like Cebu still require individuals to secure a permit for street caroling, with a P1,000 fine imposed for the first offense if one is caught without it.