This comfort called FX

With the implementation of the Integrated Bus Terminal Project at the Coastal Mall for southern provincial-bound passengers, many of my colleagues at work take the van/fx at the Mall of Asia. The new system prohibits provincial buses from entering the city and has designated a terminal to load and unload provincial passengers. This has caused problems for and complaints from both provincial passengers and bus operators. The passengers complain that they have to take multiple rides to reach their destination. The bus operators don't quite like the strict policy of dispatch, giving them only five minutes to load passengers. In fact, bus drivers staged a protest yesterday leaving commuters stranded for the most part of the morning.  On one hand, the good news, in my view, is that there are fewer buses on the streets of Manila, no more crowding at Roxas Boulevard corner EDSA. The AUVs and vans are, of course, exempt and thus enjoy the freedom to ply the city from any point of Luzon. Like me, most would rather take one straight journey (and it can be cheaper, too) than hop on and hop off several vehicles even though buses are slightly more comfortable than the vans/fx.

At the Integrated Bus Terminal at the Coastal Mall in Paranaque

While I acknowledge that taking buses is more comfortable than taking the FX, my choice is still the latter. I still take it knowing that my knees will touch someone else's when I face that someone, or that I will have to settle for a small share of the seat. But complain I shall not do.

Yet,  I have to understand the "in-out, in-out" dynamics in public utility vehicles, particularly in FX. I find this an interesting topic to observe as it covers gender, age, and physical factors.

Just what dictates who gets to take a full space in a room full of passengers in the FX?

More than two decades of commuting could not give a me a definite answer to my questions. I do have observations, however. More than anything, I think it's one's comfort that makes a passenger claim his/her well-deserved butt space. It is with this thought that I look forward to having slender girls as my co-passengers in the FX. Usually the person who is last to enter has the unfortunate distinction of being 'out.' More women than men tend to go 'out' without being forced to do so; men are likely to squeeze their seatmates while women don't want to be squeezed. I suppose, at times, there is powerplay in the game; the passengers who have their right share of space assert themselves, knowing perfectly well that only three and a half people could comfortably sit in the car. The 'half' passenger must know his or her place. Young ones with their headsets on are likely to ignore everyone else and be oblivious to the rest as long they are seated properly and enjoying their music. Although I see people ask that they be let out if they cannot sit properly, most still go on with their journey uncomplaining. Those who try to make a big fuss would get comments such as, "Mag-taxi ka na lang (Take a cab)" or "Bumili ka ng sarili mong sasakyan (Go buy your own car)."

Those Asian Utility Vehicles can accommodate four  passengers in the backseat regardless of the shape and size of the passengers. THEY MUST ALL FIT. Through the years, I have seen different models of cars, not exactly AUVs that are made to be "FXs." There are now vans that are being used. AUV Express as it is known has been gaining popularity among the riding public. The FXs, Revos, HiAces provide some comfort, airconditioning, and terminal to terminal service to the growing middle class who do not wish to take the jeeps, ordinary buses or multiple trips. The FX riding public has developed patience, understanding, apathy and selfishness all at the same time. Who is to blame? Conditions, presented to them day in day out, make them the way they are. 

Does this mean that car-owning individuals are a different breed of their own?

I am not so sure about that, although one thing I am sure of is that we all take the same road. It is how we deal on the road that spells the difference, whether you are in a car, taxi, bus or FX. 

Random picture on the plane. Unrelated photo.

Daydreamer

Unrelated pic to the post

I have this undesirable habit which I find difficult to shake off. I tend to eavesdrop on people's conversations heard on jeepneys and FX's especially when I'm not in deep thought; just what am I to do? Just how do you shut your senses out? My nonexistent earphones don't work with the short battery life my three-year old phone has. Even if I look far out, my ears would still be functioning, right? Yes, I don't feel completely guilty. It's simply unavoidable. The riding public should learn to be discreet or else I'd  be writing about them here. hehe.

His phone rang; he picked it up and answered in a courteous manner. He was giving directions. My mind was somewhere far off when I heard him talking of cars, "Yung Fortuner ang gamit n'ya. Ang Hyundai ang dadalhin namin." I took notice of the man on the phone. Does this FX-riding dude own all those cars? Further into the conversation, I heard him talk of an expensive village and driving. I could only give guesses at that point.

What got me to notice him some more was when every time a passenger gets off, he extended his hands to the door as if assisting the alighting person. He did it as if it was the most natural thing to do. I took a closer look at him to validate my assumptions about him. He's a top of his class, I'm sure. He deserves my admiration.

His boss dies. A car is given to him for his service. He finally drives a car he calls his own.

Yes, I daydream, too, to while the time away.

The FX suddenly became quiet. At seven pm, I was nearing home, while the man who was earlier on the phone still had to get some work done.

Unrelated pic to the post 2

Second Monthly Report

Everybody must work

I fear that posting here is becoming a monthly affair. W-O-R-K has gotten in the way. I remember two years ago when I took blogging seriously, I had plenty of time. This got me asking, is blogging for people who are less busy? Coinicidentally, the bloggers whom I personally know to be as busy don't seem to produce as many posts as before as well. Bandwagon, huh?

I'd like to look at things positively. People are busy working. A working society is a productive society. However, I feel the downside of being busy. I have missed out on a lot --- 'me' time, movies, get-to-together and other activities that make me feel more human.

Not writing for a month has made my writing rusty, also. I seem to have lost my coherence, but I am ok with it. Sometimes, losing one's lucidity is a good exercise. To talk of non-sense things is to keep my mind balanced.

Dredging Operations

We've been talking of issues of global concern at work; substantive work seems to squeeze every single neuron out of my body.  I need my dose of trivial things like showbiz, gossips, and jeepney rides which, apparently, I don't run out of.

I was waiting for an FX on my way home one tiring afternoon. "Kuya, may dumadaan ba ng bus pa-Silang dito?" a gay guy asked.

"Ay, oo. Meron yan, hintay ka lang," the approachable tie-wearing Commuter replied.

"Pauwi na kasi ako; ikaw,  saan ka umuuwi?"

Metro Manila Cleaning

I shifted to the un-approachable me, "Sa bahay." Then, I hopped on the FX that stopped in front of me.

I could help but smile on my way home. Commuter has appeal pa pala. Long sleeves and tie probably did it.

Obstacle Course

The school beside my place is on a semestral break. So, for the first time in many months, I see fewer people and no students on the streets every morning. As a result, FX drivers don't get to drop off students by our street, meaning, no ride for waiting passengers! For the limited FX passing our street, my animal instincts are put to use as I fight off other passengers to secure my one square foot of butt space!

Only this time do I engage in a car chase! I, together with many other office people, run towards the empty FX that stops some ten meters from our corner. Every morning for the past few days, I get a twenty-second workout as I rush for that prime spot. A lady in her fifties joins us in that short race. She is not successful all the time, however. It's a funny sight because men and women in their nice office clothes participate in a race; I am not spared. In fact, I relish this morning challenge. I still have my commuter groove on! hehe.

The early morning run is a good way to get my blood pumping, but I would really prefer a different way. My health, I would say, is still in good shape, but I certainly  wouldn't want to be dashing for a ride in my fifties; it's not a good sight. But we do what we must. Work we must, and a whole new obstacle course awaits us until the end of the day.

Random picture. I forgot the story behind this photo. This gave me the creeps when I saw it again.

If I were an FX driver...

If I were an FX driver...

1. I wouldn't drive something with a hatch back. It is inconvenient.
2. I would say thank you to anyone handing his/her fare.
3. I would play good music.
4. I would bring my passengers safely to their destination.
5. I wouldn't cuss!
6. I would load and unload passengers in designated areas to avoid being ticketed.
7. I would charge my passengers correctly.

Well, the sentences  show the use of conditionals: there is no real possibility that the condition will happen. I say this because, to start, I don't know how to drive! This inability is not yet considered as pathetic, but sometimes it can be. I sometimes hitch a ride with a female workmate to Alabang. hehe. And as one co-worker has said, she drives like an Arab. I don't know what it exactly means, but she certainly knows driving. All I can do is stay glued to my seat and say a small prayer of safety. Sometimes, it's trust. I have learned to trust my workmates. I am now more relaxed than before.

One Friday night, we went out to grab a few drinks. I had two bottles of beer! I left the place with a headache. I couldn't say for sure if I was tipsy or drunk. I only had two bottles for crying out loud! I got into her car and just wanted sleep. I am not supposed to sleep; it's absolutely wrong to have a girl drive me while I go sleep. I tried to keep awake but closed my eyes sometimes. Some minutes later I was back to my old self. I have not been getting lots of alcohol in my system lately; this is the only reason I could attribute to that pathetic episode.

To end this post, "Don't drink and drive! Hitch!"

Views from FX

Working Series 2: Metered

(This must be along Taft Avenue...not sure where exactly though)

That roads lengthen at night is a known fact to Zamboanguenos whose popular mode of transportation is the meterless tricycle. It is the tricycle that serves as the 'taxi' as there are only two or three cabs servicing the entire city. Those who want to go home safely and be brought to their house directly could not complain if they are charged more. I wonder, though, how these drivers determine the rate.

With my new work in the nation's capital, however, the FX is my preferred mode of transport. It has been a habit of mine to prepare the exact fare of P25 every morning. On days that I don't have the exact fare, say fifty, I get P25 or 20 as change. The shy person that I am do not care to ask what the actual fare really is. Actually, other than being shy, it is more of the fear to find out what I must actually pay. The thing is I am getting very comfortable paying P25! It looks like it's just worth P25 really; I get to work in less than 40 minutes on a busy Manila morning. I strongly feel it's just a P25-peso ride. But drivers may have a different 'feeling.' This leads me to ask, why are there two different fare rates?

When they charge me thirty, I usually keep quiet. When I hand a P25 and announce my destination, I am sometimes asked to add five and I follow. When I get the 'right' change, I am happy. Five pesos is a big savings; multiply it by two, you get ten pesos!

I do not mind paying the right or higher fare only if everything in the FX transport service is regulated. I have yet to see a printed out fare matrix that is observed everywhere and conspicuously displayed. There are shuttle services that charge exorbitantly, I think. But despite my silent complaints, I continue taking the FX. It's still the choice of many  salaried barong-wearing office workers unless they want to be smelling of Manila air every morning.

Crime Seen

The driver turned off his engine; he finally gave up. The FX was not to move in the next five minutes or so. Passengers were anxious of what was going on; some were fanning themselves; others were trying to see the cause of the traffic. One lady looked very impatient, pissed. Her long face, however, got shorter when the FX moved a measly two meters. There was hope. The next twenty meters took ten minutes. Slowly, they saw the cause of the problem. An accident. Heads turned to see the wreckage. As the FX was maneuvering into the small space left for moving vehicles, the passengers, particularly the males transformed from being irritated passengers into crime scene investigators. " Kasalanan ng pula," referring to the smashed car said one. "Siguradong patay yan," concluded one person. "Nakainom 'yan, " added another. It was interesting to note how these people spoke with authority and certainty in spite of the less-than-minute view of the scene. Some tried to take a second look eventhough the FX was meters away.

Two minutes  after seeing the mishap, the passengers cease their CSI persona to return to their passenger roles. I, instead, would like to pray and thank God that it wasn't me nor my loved-ones whom my co-passengers were pronouncing dead. Amen.

Pictures in this blog

I use my cellphone to take pictures for this blog, and as you know, when you use a mobile phone inside a public vehicle, you are making yourself a prey to snatchers. In making this blog, I try to take pictures inconspicuously; I try not to call attention from anyone. I think hard which part of my trip I should take photos. As a result, the pictures may not necessarily be about the blog entry. It just shows you the images as seen through the eyes of an everyday commuter. If you notice, I don't have pictures taken inside a jeep; I'm not that brave yet, but I might just have some soon. I don't know but I feel safer on the bus than in jeeps, in so far as cellphone snatching is concerned. hehe. I have heard of countless 'cellphone' stories of loss, theft, violence and even death whether aboard vehicles or just simply walking to school or heading home. I don't want to be part of the statistics anymore although I have my own share of stories, and there are tons of them. Wherever I may be, I always think of my security. I really should. We really should.

I have had several changes of numbers and cellphone units. Sad to say, the changing of numbers always had to do with commuting. I was once held at gunpoint; they took two cheap phones just after I got off the FX to cross to my apartment building. Twice I lost a phone inside a tricycle; the second time was because I had a few drinks; I had myself to blame here. And there were other stories that reflected my laxity in my possessions. Admittedly, I have myself to blame for most of this; for the other side of the story, the blame is on the devil-possessed criminals whose aim is to put fear on people and rob them off their belongings. I hope this kind of injustice ends. No one should experience any form of fear.