I AM VINCE. And I am a "Serbis"

The town wakes slowly in the morning. Children run along dusty paths, vendors call across the market, and neighbors gossip over steaming cups of coffee.

My name is Vince, and by day, I am just another face blending into life, a quiet smile, a helping hand, nothing more. But when the sun dips behind the hills, my world shifts. I leave my home in the barangay and head toward the concrete bridge connecting the outskirts to the town center.

At night, the bridge feels different. It is long, cold, and quiet, lit only by the uneven glow of flickering streetlights. Each step is heavy, not only from the concrete beneath my feet, but from the weight of choices I have to make to survive.

The life of a "serbis" is complicated. Before anything else, clients offer liquor, and we drink together first. It’s a strange mix of fear and camaraderie. Some nights, they even offer food, an Angel’s Burger from the corner, something from the 7-Eleven, a turon from Alfamart, or anything that soothes a growling stomach. The simple gesture feels human, even caring, amid the business of survival.

Most nights, we are a group of serbis standing together, waiting. It often feels like a raffle. Clients scan us, choose who they like, and the rest of us wait for the next opportunity. For some, the work is necessity. For others, surprisingly, it’s for fun, a way to escape boredom, laugh, and treat it like a strange experience. It’s shocking to think some begin at a very young age, even sixteen or seventeen, seeing it almost as a game, as if the seriousness of adulthood hasn’t fully reached them yet. Laughter, teasing, and camaraderie fill these moments, masking the risks and the judgment they face from the outside world.

Walking the bridge to the town center, the wind cuts across my face, carrying both fear and liberation. The river below whispers secrets of those who walked these paths before me. I pause sometimes, letting myself breathe, reflecting on the mix of courage, vulnerability, and resilience this life demands. Other serbis become my chosen family. We laugh quietly, share warnings, and offer support. In these connections, however fleeting, we remind each other that even in a world that often sees us as shadows, we are human, and we are not alone.

By dawn, the bridge is left behind. The town wakes, and I disappear into familiar faces, blending into life once more.

I am Vince. I am more than the nights, more than the choices, more than the survival. I carry dreams, hope, and dignity with me, walking the line between shadows and light, between struggle and escape. I am a "SERBIS".

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I AM VINCE. And I am a "Serbis"

Written by: Jerry Shangyin

(FTS Lobo Board of Directors-Chairman)

Note: This story is a work of fiction, but it draws inspiration from the real-life experiences of people. It seeks to humanize their journey and reflect the courage, challenges, and moments of hope in their lives.