My Blog

As I moved across a throng of humanity running towards the moving bus, there they were, a mother and child painfully caught by the crowd’s onrush. Everybody had the same thing in mind; Clamber up the freakin vehicle and rest our weary bodies on cheap cushioned seats, or at the very least stand up for most of the journey. That way we could finally escape the commuter’s hellhole that was Edsa Saturday night. Somehow the years of experience paid dividends as it allowed me to reach the bus steps just beside the two. As what comes naturally with me (hehehe) I raised my voice in protest; Sandali lang! May batang kasama si Misis…..If that didn’t do the trick my slight "butt push" (box out tactics in basketball) was.

I felt a sigh of relief that the kid whose pained expression called my attention earlier, was able to sit comfortably with the mommy. I was extremely thankful that I dissuaded my wife from following me to Makati that Saturday afternoon together with our 2 daughters. I wouldn’t have risked moving through the madness if I had them in tow.

Which brings me to realize that I’ve been routinely making this trip for almost 5 years. I average 2.5 hours a day in travel time. Hmmmm…….5 days a week ……52 weeks in a year for 5 years………………………………………………..I actually spent 135 days in transit during this 5 year period!

This is the reason why I’m starting short stories about the wonders and travails of commuting in the Philippines. There are tales of horror like the 4-hour one-way torture trips that causes "butt anesthesia" (I can’t feel my ass!) but there are also 30 minute miracles performed by Jedi Masters in disguise weaving through traffic with the greatest of ease and bringing us to the office safe from both the road and our boss. (Hindi ako late?! …..Yes!!!!) So much more to tell you next time…