Priceless Tips On How To Survive Metro Manila Traffic

Commuters, D-R-I-V-E!

Hunger Games. That book series turned to movie where two representatives from different districts have to participate in an annual death match in the name of food.

The battlecry? Survival of the fittest, elimination of the unfit.

Our day to day life is indeed a survival of the fittest and elimination of the unfit. You need not read or watch Hunger Games to see that. Just try commuting in the Philippines. And it’s more fun in Metro Manila.

For those who have cars, all you have worry are the following: money for gas and toll fees, coding days, plus double, extra, super patience for the metro’s traffic.

For us commuters, what we have to worry are just two deadly things: 1) running out of bus to ride, and 2) running out of oxygen chasing buses along with other feisty and desperate-to-get home passengers.

As an experienced EDSA commuter where falling in line is a deviant practice, I urged everyone to D-R-I-V-E!

D is for Diet. Imagine a pack of tigers, only they are humans, pushing everyone around in order to get in the bus’ minimal door. No offense meant but being thinner (and flatter) is helpful in slipping inside a bus swarmed by hungry passengers. But like toothbrush that needs toothpaste for better result, diet must be coupled with exercising. I learned it the hard way. Being petite makes it easier to just slip but also it is easier for you to get off balance when the big bad guys are your competitors. Okay, time to hit the gym and put some muscle here (my triceps I mean).

R is for Run. Cheetahs are the fastest land animals on record, so the report shows. I beg to differ, ladies and gentlemen. It’s humans! Go to Ayala bus station during rush hour and you’ll see what I am talking about. Hundreds of them running like hell to approaching buses just to get in.

I did not entertain this novelty of commuting so I missed a lot of dinner at home and soon grew tired of this so I learned to play the game. I am an experienced runner now and still on training every day!

I is Ignore Good Manners. My mom brought us up with utmost respect especially to elders. So when an oldie gets on I gave way. You’re welcome. And that’s one of the reasons I get to my destinations late. I know better now. I must be objective. Who cares about the PWDs, the pregnant women, the mothers with their infants? Put your game face on! But just like drinking reminders, do it moderately.

V is Vigilance. Once I too preoccupied getting to office on time so I made my way through the crowd as quick as possible. When I finally boarded, I fished for my smartphone only to realize it was gone. Should I scream? No, I would be nuts to do that! Should I call the police? Oh God! Where are the police? Lesson? Use handphones.

Vigilance is also necessary for all sex maniacs out there who pretend to brush off your chest or butt when the bus is jam-packed or in sudden break. This is also as equally important for those conductors who do not dispense tickets and play deaf when asked for change.

Extend Patience. No matter what you do, shit happens. I wonder how many commuters out there had their relationship shattered after being late on a date or on a birthday. I wonder how many business deals were postponed and how many love letters they got from the HR giving suspension for the well-performed lates. In all these, patience my dear, patience.

I cannot pinpoint what really is the root of this problem. Is it so many people that our vehicles cannot accommodate? Or just so many undisciplined people that makes commuting an agony? On the one hand, could it be that we have so many vehicles our roads can longer accommodate or simply a lack of effective system. Might as well call MMDA…

Meanwhile, if you want to be on top of surviving, go DRIVE.


Basic Speech No. 6 (Pioneer Trailblazers Toastmasters Club)

10 Mga Nakakaasar na Eksena sa Jeepney

1)      Yung pilang daig pa ang blockbuster movie sa sinehan tapos yung mga kapwa mo

pasaherong kakarating lang ay dumiretsong sakay pagkadating na pagkadating.

2)      Yung ipinagssisikan ng drayber na 9 talaga ang dapat makaupo kahit wala ng mapaglagyan. Sabi pa, 'Kaya yan, tiwala lang'. Saveey?!

3)      Yung sinasabihan ka ng drayber na galaw-galaw nalang para magkasya. Eh, Kuya ang sikip na nga diba! Paano pa makakagalaw!

4)      Yung mga pasaherong di marunong mag-abot ng bayad. Di mo matantiya kung busy o wala lang talaga sa sarili.

5)      Yung mga drayber na di marunong mag-abot ng sukli.

6)      Yung mga Mamang mahilig sa manspreading. Yung totoo Kuya gaano ba kalaki yang sayo at kung makabukaka ka diyan ay wagas habang si Nanay sa tabi mo ay ipit na ipit?

7)      Yung mga pasaherong insensitib. Imagine sobrang sikisikan sa jeep. Tapos may mga bumaba. Pero siksikan pa rin sa kabila habang ang luwag sa kabila. Ate, makiramdam din pag may time, di puro FB lang.

8)      Yung mga mamang busy sa kaka-COC habang si Lolo ay nakakabit sa jeep. Totoy, baka makahingi ng konting awa sa tuhod ni Lolo.

9)      Yung mga drayber na tamad huminto. Pumara ka na sa babaan at lahat dire-diresto pa rin. Ayan tuloy kailangan mo pa sumakay ulit pabalik sa sobrang layo ng hinituan.

10)   Yung mga pasaherong kung makasigaw ng ‘Para!’ ay parang wala ng bukas. Nagagalit pa kung hindi nakahinto sa gusto niyang pahintuan. Alam namang bawal doon.

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Climbing Mt. Pulag -DIY

“Static people don’t fall! You fell because you were either climbing, or running. This is a sign that you are on track. Don’t stop where you fall; rise up and do it again!” 
― Israelmore Ayivor, Daily Drive 365

During a break for business presentation skills training, a mountain climbing junkie and colleague mentioned he is to climb Mt. Pulag, solo. The wanderlust blood in me rushed in. And before we knew it, five of us found ourselves at Victory Liner - Pasay for the trip.

At around 4:30 am, we finally arrived at Baguio. Freezing, we went down Session Road for some walking so as to hunt for gloves and of course, breakfast to pacify our growling tummies. All of my climbing companions here are officemates except Kuya Michael who is working in a BPO. 

Being the only girl, I was pushed by the men to charm (of which I bet didn't work) the van driver to get a discount for our trip to Bokod, Benguet. At P2500, he finally agreed to take us up to the ranger station. Another 2 climbers arrived and we were just so happy to share a ride with them to lessen our fare. A couple of minutes later, we were on our way to DENR-Kabayan that took care of the orientation for all Pulag climb. 

A typhoon has just a passed around the area putting our climb in jeopardy. In fact, we were not allowed to climb until the last minute. It had been pouring real hard the days prior of our climb. Fortunately, the weather brighten on the climb day. But then there was a landslide on the way up so we took a motorcycle in lieu of the van.

We were starving for lunch when

we arrived at the ranger station. Too bad as there were no carenderia food sold around the vicinity as they were not expecting climbers after the bitching weather. Luckily, a sari-sari store offered us to cook what we bought from them. Thank heavens!

Kuya Michael and JJ  ready to explore the mossy forest.

As work often demands me to travel once in a while, I stopped going to the gym (Ehem, lame excuse). My last climb was four months ago. And my heart was starting to fail me. It behaved as if it was not used to walking with a heavy baggage. Add the freezing temperature and I was ready to give up. I felt dizzy and my nose felt like it was ready to fall anytime. I was tempted to pretend I was good but my surrounding started to blur. Then and there I asked our guide to carry my bag. 

Panting like hell at Mt. Pulag's Camping Ground 2

Seemingly battered comfort rooms. But in such area, it does really provide comfort. Hoho!

The Boys enjoying  groufie.

With lots of chitchats, once in a while rest, and occasional sharing of trail food, we finally arrived at Camp 2. I was so excited to see a comfort room. It seemed uncomfortable but then again, bawal ang mapili sa bundok. My colleagues washed up after we set our tent. I did not bother. It was too cold for me. I thought I was just hungry and maybe the shivering will be gone after a meal. It did not. And it was getting worse. My head hurt. I was frantic how I supposed to last the night. Day 1 was over.

At around 5 am, we started our trek to the summit.

Mt. Pulag off the bucket list.

The Boys were not just contented of getting up there. They also wanted to show off their muscles (supposed there is any:) up there. Kidding aside, they just wanted to test if their fats can withstand the cold.

The view on the way and up the peak is spectacular. We were very lucky to have the Camp and the peak all for ourselves as there were no other climbers the day before. We were even more lucky because just right after we set foot back at the Ranger Station, a heavy rain began to take over the sunny sky. All climbers on that day were advised not to go. 

Despite the seemingly endless cold night, I would say Mt. Pulag is worth the climb. I wondered before why this peak made it to almost all Filipino climber's list and even foreign. On my way up, I saw it myself. The people, the mossy forest, the wild berries, the vibrantly colored flowers, the trees that seemed like a garden of broccoli, the sea of clouds and the frostbiting weather--they are just too hard to resist.

Expense

P890 Bus Fare to Baguio (back and forth)

P65 Breakfast

P60/5 Cab Fare Session Road to Terminal

P2500/5 Van Fare From Baguio to Kabayan
P250 Kabayan to Baguio

P150 DENR fee

P500 motorcycle fare (back and forth)

P80 overnight fee at camp 2

P600/5 guide fee -

P190/5 lunch

P65 lunch for day 2

Birthday Beauty Rest at Puerto Galera , Oriental Mindoro

The bibliophile and the bitch, I mean, beach.

After our first adventure together at Mt Maculot, I reckoned Payee likes me to be her travel buddy (bwahahaha) and invited me to join her supposed to be solo birthday trip at Puerto Galera. In a heartbeat I agreed because aside from the fact that I am travel junkie, it was also for free!

We met at around 6 in the morning at Jam Bus Terminal to get on a Batangas Pier Bus. After sometime of waiting, finally the boat that will take to Sabang finally arrived. An hour and a half ride and the sight of tourists, and cottages and beach activities greeted us.

Mindoro Sling.

There are a lot of things to explore in Puerto—snorkeling, trekking, sailing, partying—but we passed all these in the name of sleep. Yep, we came all the way just to breath fresh air, to walk in the sand and of course, to sleep. 

What I can’t forget about this trip is that I was given a birthday present.  Not to mention, a very nice book. Ah! I am happy kid! All of a sudden, I felt guilty for not having something for her. Maybe next year J

 

The birthday girl and me. Not to mention, this is my first time to get a closer handling with a selfie stick and I must say it’s not for me. Climbing pole is way easier to grapple. But selfie stick? I am such a noob.

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Calaguas Island, Camarines Norte

Calaguas Island, Camarines Norte

Wanna a get away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Wanna bar receiving messages and fast from your Smartphone for a day?

Beach junkie or not, Calaguas Island is very worth your every while. From the turquoise water, to thunderous waves, to fine white sands and picture perfect panorama, this is just a treat. 

And I mean treat because the side trip happened just days before our birthdays. So Donna (travel buddy) and I agreed to have our leaves after our business by hook or by crook. Ehem. And swear they weren’t planned sick leaves but vacation leaves. Hoho!

Man delivering freshly cut and cleaned nipa leaves.

The Journey

Calaguas  Island is more or less a 2–hour ride from Daet depending on the waves.  Boats are available for P2000 per tour but we had it for P150 each as ‘chance passengers’. A local referred us to a friend who had a group tour.

The beginning of the journey was already an eye festival. Starting from lush green nipa leaves that stand as aisle of the emerald green waters leading you to the real deal as the pristine blue waters welcome you a couple of minutes after. Be prepared of getting drenched when the waves feel like bitching. No one escapes.

Calaguas Island, Camarines Norte.

What to Prepare

Budget wise, Calaguas Island is one of the destinations that is supple in experience at less expense. The overnight stay costed me less than P1500 (See expenses below). For travelers who imprinted B (Budget) on their foreheads, you might spend lesser. If you have a tent and some food from home, you will surely save some bucks. Moreover, there is no problem if you have none as there is accommodation around.  There are cottages or you can rent a tent for P300 and dine with basic traveling foods at less than a hundred.

Our lunch for example were newly cooked rice and boiled eggs. We had opened a can of tuna and voila, happy tummy is in the air. Worry not if you got no cooking gears and utensils with you. The sari-sari stores around offering the goods are much willing to cook it for you and even serve it to your tent with plate, spoon, and fork.

Home by the Beach. Calaguas, Island, Camarines Norte

The Experience

The boat ride to the island was long and exhilarating.  My tummy was turning upside down every time huge waves rock the boat wiping the sunblock all over my body and leaving my eyes soaked in seawater. Like aww!

 I thought it was just my imagination over-exaggerating the waves but it dawned unto me it was real when the boatmen had difficulty in putting the ladder for disembarkation as we docked. In the end, they opted for us to jump from the boat because every of wave surge took the ladder away. It was there that I practiced timing and precision. As a waves pass, you have to hurry getting down and get on the shore before a new one will rip you off.

Donna and I had no itinerary for this trip. Our main goal was just reaching the island and will take it from there. Soon as we stepped foot on the island, we realized we had nowhere to go.  A group tour organizer was willing to adopt us for P3000 each including a place to stay and meals overnight but we think it was a bit pricey. She even scared us that we won’t be able to find a place to stay and food was scarce in the area leaving us to almost say yes… Just almost though.

There is no phone signal in the area so we had no friends to ask for help on what to do. Not to mention we were wet and hungry. We then headed to the nearest sari-sari store for possible meals and tent. We were so lucky to have been referred to Kuya Aron who set-up the tent for us at the most strategic location. His wife Ate Ruth, cooked our meal of boiled eggs and rice that we bought from their sari-sari store. 

Sea Salut! Calaguas Island, Camarines Norte

Now we have food and a home. Yeehey! Now time to explore the island. Had I mentioned it was very clean? And there is no need for human massage? Just stay near the water and let the waves do it for you.

There are a lot of things you can do in this virgin island. You can go sunbathing, snorkeling, hiking, or island hopping. Kuya Aron had referred us to a guide friend, Kuya King, who was having a group tour as well. He was willing to take us to the island and back to Daet (because getting back to the mainland had been our dilemma).

Generator is the only source of energy in the area hence light is scarce but is not a problem. If you are lucky like us, you could see the serene beauty of Calaguas as the moonlight bathes the island. The waves sing you to sleep and the sweet chirps of birds will wake up you the next day.

The Expenses (This is good for 2 pax already)

Tuna, Bread, Chips                      -P200

Boat Fare to Calaguas Island        -P300

Tent                                          -P300

Lunch                                        -P  65

Dinner                                       -P200            (We had dinner with Kuya Aron’s family)

Island Tour &

Boat Fare to Daet                       -P800

Total Expense:                          -P1,865

Bus Fare from Manila to Daet                   -P550

Jeep Fare from Daet to Vinzons               -P  15

(Photo credits to Donna Marie Legaspi)

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Sunset by the Beach at Nasugbu, Batangas

Sunsets are not the end. Sunrise is not a beginning. It's a matter of perspective.

Life is simple. We complicate it.

Catching the day's last ray.

Ang pagpalaot.

Footprints on the sand.

A smile smooths things. Have one now!

While we are busy with our smartphones, he is busy with this.

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Straight from the can.

Bibliophile at the peak.

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RANDOM THINGS YOU HATE: GIVE A HAND TO EXPLAIN PLEASE

Hey, hey! I know you are brilliant, hon! That’s why I want to pick up your brain understanding these people and situations that creep at the core to irate my day. These might sound really petty but I tell you, they are annoying.

Igan D' Bayan Collection. Art Fair Philippines 2015, Makati City.

Those people who like to cram at the bus’ door. Like it’s the end of the world! Giving no space for those who also want to go home. I do not understand why they have to jam pack in one place when the rear screams, ‘Hey, I’m vacant here!’ Mabuti pa ang sardinas di nagsisiksikan sa lata! I heard and noticed that passengers do it so they could get off easily. Isn’t it lame my friend? Drivers stop if you tell them to do so. Or you could ask the bus conductor for a halt and walk your way. Think of others sometimes!

Now let’s go to the mall where security guards check your bags. And I am referring to those who just dip their stick inside bags with eyes wandering somewhere or mouth busy chatting. Then something happened and they all go back to that full alert thingy! Huli na po ang lahat...

Those selfish creature at the street. I am talking here of those people who cross the street even if the traffic light says stop with the traffic enforcer raising his hand for the same signal. I find this really insulting to the enforcer. Kaya di umuunlad ang Pilipinas eh, simpleng bagay di makuha.

Opinions on opinion. I admire people who express their thoughts on certain subjects. I do not understand though those people who have to say nasty opinion on an opinion. I just don’t understand why you need to say something and argue like hell if the premise does not agree with yours. C’mon it is your responsibility to filter what to take and leave so shut up! Okay, this might sound like breaching your freedom of expression but just saying it is annoying (and I know you don’t care).

Like to be liked. You checked your Twitter or Instagram and received a lot of likes. You feel flattered then it dawned unto you that half of them are just making their way to you to find your way to them. You realize that when you check the account and find they are selling something that is not even related to your post. There are also those who flatter you with ‘Awesome shot!’ even if you know it’s not. Here’s the deal baby, if you like it, then like it. Thank you very much. But liking it for me to like and follow? Spare me.

Holiday Getaway at Sagada, Mt. Province

Christmas is over—looong way over but I guess there’s no need for a solstice or any special

Good morning at Sagada, Homestay. 

occasion to talk about the… teng-ni-neng… infamous Sagada! 

Okay, don’t expect too much activity I did there. The best verdict I can offer is that if you want to sleep real well and lose track of time, go to Sagada, Mt. Province and you’ll get what you fairly need. More than. I should say. Evil smile. 

Spelunking at Lumiang Cave.

Spending Christmas alone somewhere was what I have planned for 2014 but where to? I do not have any idea. I am just a poor lass on a tight budget who can’t afford cheap luxury. Okay, enough publicizing my poverty. But as my mantra goes, ‘You ain’t need to be rich to travel’. And my sincere gratitude to Ate Robs (a former university colleague) who mentioned Sagada accommodation is fairly affordable. A P250-300 per night stay is not bad at all!

Most of the time, I am a solo backpacker who does not believe in itinerary. I don’t want to hurry seeing a museum because another one awaits. Or move from one site to another just for the sake of finishing the must-sees. I take things as they come. I am good spending the whole afternoon sitting while drinking the sight before me.  

I do not celebrate Christmas. I wear it.

Cookies and yogurt of the popular Sagada's Yogurt 
House; Salt and Pepper's heavy heart breakfast of 
brown rice, tapa, longganisa, egg, banan bread, 
and fruits; Dave's Restaurant's soup and chicken 
BBQ.

There are a lot of things to do in Sagada—checking out the hanging coffins, watching sunset at Lake Danum, spelunking, food hopping, blah, blah. I ignored all these on my first day though (and the days to come). In lieu, since I am quite too behind catching up books, I crunched with the very famous series of The Song of Fire and Ice. Game of Thrones is that popular. Glued is an understatement I even failed to tell what time of day is it. Reading is gripping. And sleeping is insatiably awesome at this rugged and cold mountain.

Sagada orange.

I am never a fan of Christmas but this place is very subtle to make you feel the celebration. It’s chilly and simple colorful lights are everywhere. Few restaurants host Christmas Eve buffet dinner at 500 pesos. I am not a foodie and thought it would be practical to order a la carte so I decided to head to Dave’s Restaurant where food is really good. I guess Ryan and I were the only Filipinos dining. Oh, I forgot to mention I got a last minute travel buddy. Ryan whose vacation to Palawan has been cancelled messaged me if he can tag along and I said sure why not! Spending Christmas with a stranger is on my bucket list. He does not fit too much for the criteria of a stranger though because he’s an officemate and good friend but whatever. As long as ‘di maarte’ go rah!

What I find really cool in this place is the bonfire and the beer and the guitar with the missing B-string (courtesy of Homestay). And I would dare not forget the free flowing brewed Sagada coffee.  Staying there for three days is maybe more than enough to see what needs to be seen and do what needs to be done.

Top load off to Bontoc.

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