This Rider Went Viral for Delivering Food Through Flood

(SPOT.ph) A rider has gone viral for wading through flood to make their delivery, in a move that suprised not just the one who ordered, but a whole slew of people online. In a post that now has around 24,000 shares in less than a day after publishing, Don Sarino recounts the service of foodpanda delivery rider Michael John Grulla and how the latter went above and beyond to make sure he got his food.

Also read: In Bad Weather, Is It Okay to Order via Grab or Foodpanda?

Sarino posted on Wednesday, July 12, that his order on foodpanda had just gone through when torrential rain began to fall in Mandaluyong City. Too late to cancel, he expected that no rider would pick up his order or it would just be cancelled on the platform—so it was a surprise when 20 minutes later, the app notified them that a rider had picked up the ready food. 

Sarino then kept watch on the app as the rider slowly but surely made his way from the restaurant's place in Circuit Makati to them in Mandaluyong City. They "were shocked na umaandar padin si Kuya kahit medyo mabagal."

The app noted that the expected delivery time would be 20 to 30 minutes, but the rain might cause delays; this was something they fully expected and was not a problem. "PERO AFTER 30MINS, TUMAWAG SI KUYANG RIDER," they wrote, complete with the well-deserved emphasis. The rider had made it near their place but could not bring their motorcycle any further due to floods, and so was currently wading through the waters to get to them. 

Sarino recounted that he then went out to meet the driver, who based on the pictures, was still all smiles as he handed over the food. Grulla, knee-deep in floodwater apologized for the delay, and refused the tip or even a bit of the food Sarino wanted to share. 

"Sobrang solid nito ni Kuya kasi para sa Php 49 na delivery fee? Naisip niya padin 'yung service sa customer kahit maglakad sa baha? foodpanda, kasama ba to sa training nyo sa mga Rider?" said Sarino. 

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Internet reacts to viral foodpanda rider delivering through flood

The post, which was done via the Facebook page of the Sole-Eater MNL shop—of which Sarino is an admin—took less than a day to go viral, reaching 65,000 reacts and 1,600 comments as of writing. Folks online commended Grulla, with many calls for how to get donations to the rider, and many echoing, too, Sarino's sentiment to foodpanda about a reward. 

In turn, foodpanda tells us they have reached out to Grulla with a token of appreciation "to recognize the hardwork and exceptional service of the Ka-panda." 

Sarino tells us that they order foodpanda around three times a week, yet this is the first time they've experienced something like this. "Siya pa lang nakita namin na ganun 'yung dedication sa work niya."

"Mixed emotions po naramdaman namin kasi super amazed na naaawa na natutuwa," says Sarino in an online exchange with SPOT.ph. The encounter had left him with mixed feelings, he explained, because "Nag-advice na kami na kahit ma-delay 'yung delivery is okay lang, pero siya mismo nag-insist na maglalakad na daw siya kaysa malubog sa baha yung motor niya po."

The mixed emotions of Sarino is more than understandable. While most in the comments rightfully commended Grulla's dedication, it would be different to be on the receiving end—i.e. as someone who ordered the food. Sarino did try to cancel when sudden rain came in, as he explains in the post, but could no longer.

In a statement from foodpanda logistics, the company reiterated that "The safety and well-being of our Ka-panda delivery partners are our top priority, alongside meeting the essential needs of our app users."

When the weather is bad or under similar circumstances, "our delivery partners can request order reassignment without any impact on their performance score. Likewise, we also understand that customers may need to cancel orders under certain circumstances, which can be mutually agreed upon with the delivery partner," said the statement.

There may be times when a delivery is an absolute need, but when there is a choice, it would be best to think twice before ordering food when weather is bad. Whether a slight drizzle or floods are the obstacle, there are delivery riders who may choose to continue picking up orders, as a few said in another of our interviews; it is their bread-and-butter, after all. Just be sure to extend your understanding if you do book a delivery. 

UPDATED (July 14, 2023): This article was updated to include a statement from foodpanda.