Lifestyle writer becomes Uber driver for a day
My first passenger is Saab Magalona, actress, singer, photographer and blogger. I know her as the daughter of the late Francis Magalona and Pia Magalona, sister of Maxene Magalona, Frank Magalona and Elmo Magalona.
She and husband Jim Bacarro are members of the seven-member band Cheats.
Saab has been married for almost three years. In September, Saab announced on Twitter that she and Jim were expecting twins.
Saab is also a dog lover. She has a fiveyear old Pomeranian named Joey Bear.
I stop at the pickup point in Eastwood and notice that my first Uber passenger for the afternoon is Saab Magalona.
KATHY MORAN: Where are we going?
SAAB MAGALONA: I have been running a few errands and I am ready to go home to Pasig.
Do you normally take Uber?
Yes, I really do because I gave up my car. When my husband, Jim Bacarro, and I moved to our home we only had one parking slot. It was so hard to find a parking slot for a second car, so I sent my car back to my mom. It is actually her car, which she let me use.
Was it a good move?
It helped me save a lot not to have a second car because I learned to manage without a personal driver. It also helped me become more organized in planning my day.
So now you Uber everywhere?
There are days when I ride with my husband. But when I have personal shoots or errands to run, I either borrow the car from my mom or go by Uber.
Do people recognize you?
Sometimes. It’s fun because the drivers seem to think they know me. But I change my hairstyle a lot; they like to guess who I am. But more often than not, they figure out who I am. I guess because I am no longer that visible on TV.
I read that you are pregnant with twins.
Yes, although I don’t know the genders yet. I will know their gender by next month.
Were you surprised?
Yes, I was. We weren’t actively trying to have kids, although we have been married for almost three years now.
How did you find out?
We did a home test first and it was positive. But when we went for the actual ultrasound, it was a double surprise that greeted us, because we found out they are twins. When I got married, I was 26. At the time people presumed I was preg- nant, but I wasn’t. But, at the time, we really just decided to get married.
How has your married life been?
When we got married we were young. Although we talked about raising a family, we weren’t in a hurry. We both decided that we wanted to do a lot of stuff — just the two of us.
Perfect timing?
It is good that even if we did not plan the pregnancy — even if we weren’t trying — it has come at a perfect time, because, after three years, we have done a lot of things as a couple — with our families, with our friends, with the band. And I think I won’t be missing life onstage.
Now that you are pregnant, is there anything you miss?
Funny, recently my husband asked me, “Do you miss alcohol?” I answered him with, “Actually, not at all.” Since we are in a band we would take alcohol after a gig to unwind — so it was very much a part of our lifestyle. Not to say that they go hand in hand. It was just a good way to unwind after a long, hard day. Now that I feel like my body is working double-time, I want to wake up refreshed and I don’t want to wake up groggy like I used to feel when I would drink after a gig.
Have you been craving for anything?
I have been craving for pomelo; good na lang it’s healthy. Thankfully I haven’t had to deal with morning sickness. I only threw up twice — apparently when one has twins, morning sickness can be really bad.
Does your Pomeranian Joey know you are pregnant?
I think so. I think she found out even before I did. She became very, very malambing. She likes to do bellyto-belly with me. She puts her belly on my belly. I feel like there is a connection there. I am so excited and also very scared that they won’t get along. But I have been researching on how to get Joey and the future twins to become best friends.
How did you get Joey?
Funny story: I never had a dog of my own. I asked Max if I could babysit her dog for a week. I just felt like doing it, and after a week she wanted her dog back — it broke my heart.
It was our birthday week, because Max and I share the same birthday. Although we are not twins, we are like twins. She surprised me by giving me a dog of my own. It has been the best gift ever. I think having Joey has trained me to become a mom. Super.
Do twins run in your family?
Yes, my dad Francis has twin siblings, a boy and a girl.
What is the best Uber ride so far?
One time I came from World Trade Center and then the Uber driver was playing my dad’s album. He didn’t notice me or seem to know who I was. The CD played on and then when I was about to get off the cab, I said, “Hey, you have really good taste in music.” And then he realized when he looked at me that I am the daughter of Francis M. He asked for a photo with me. That was really nice.
What keeps you busy, a new album?
We held back the launch because one of our members is a futsal player who qualified for the Philippine team. The title of the album is “Before the Babies.” Updates will be on cheatsmusic.com and they can also pre-order albums there.
We’re also looking for a buyer for our condo because we are looking for a house. There is the wedding of Maxene to Robby where I am the matron of honor, so I have been helping her. I’m also busy with my blog.
Don’t you also have a coffee shop?
We have a café called Cup Fiction in White Plains. We sell coffee, rice meals and desserts. We also sell a lot of local comics to support Filipino artists.
How did you feel when Uber was asked to stop operating?
I normally take an Uber X — Uber Xs are nice. I am in a very privileged position because my husband has a car and we can just drive together. But for a lot of people who have no other means of transportation, it is not a joke to just say you can take the MRT or LRT — we all know how it is here. I know how it affected people. And it was all of a sudden pa.
Does Joey get to ride Uber?
My dog always rides Uber. I am so happy because I expect the driver to say bawal but 90 percent of the time they say it’s fine. I text the driver and let them know what I have a small dog with me and I promise them that my dog is toilet-trained and will behave. They say okay. Before Saab gets out of the car she looks at the rearview mirror and asks me, “Are you a real Uber driver? Because you look like a writer for pets in The Philippine
STAR. Aren’t you Kathy Moran?”