Go Green!

The sight of passengers carrying paper bags instead of plastic bags inside the jeep in a Muntinlupa jeepney terminal reminded me of the wonderful city ordinance that the city was implementing effective 2011. I would not have noticed the change had it not been for the three passengers sitting close to each other who held their goods inside big paper bags. Brown paperbags were not a common sight in Muntinlupa months back. Now, it's everywhere, and it's surely a welcoming change. This bold move in the part of the local government is truly laudable. "No to plastic! No to styro!" has been their battlecry. I wish other local governments can follow suit; it's best if the entire country does the same. I wonder, though, how it is for meat and fish. I have not gone to the market to check it out myself. Consumers probably bring their own bags or bayong, which is a lot better than the paper bags.

My favorite fastfood chain is  one with the city. Jollibee stores, at least the ones in Muntinlupa, now use plastic containers instead of the styro packaging for their takeout orders. Jollibee is also seen smiling in its logo displayed in all their paper bags used for takeout. This will certainly make mother earth jolly, too. The common folks who patronize these establishments, on the other hand,  will probably begin to wonder and ask questions. The answers they will get, I hope,  will undoubtly make them  think about the situation. I have a feeling the paper bags will cause wide awareness, and awareness will open a myriad of reflection and actions.

Soon, I hope, every city or district will be implementing something similar. To be honest, it brings me joy seeing the paper bags. There is a comforting feeling seeing that something is being done for the environment. I want this feeling. I hope it becomes yours, too. :-)

Mcdonald's does the same.

Businesses and commuters

Commuter and Jollibee have had the kind of relationship that most parents would disapprove of, yet like any relationship, the lovers will always find a way to withstand all. We can never blame Jollibee, really; he's just everywhere. He's there for Commuter when rain hits her, when she heeds the call of nature, or when she wants to quench her thirst. She, in turn, will have to give in to his welcoming embrace, robbing her off some of her values.But she would always have a reason to come back.

 Now, how do I say that Jollibee has increased its meals by at least three pesos with that kind of introduction?

Sad.

It doesn't take a sociologist to determine the kind of people frequenting Jollibee. During weekends or pay day weekends, Jollibee has a reliable sample population that is representative of the Philippines' demographics. How I enjoy observing families, couples, and friends eating out. I especially like the sincere laughter and the joy in the eyes of the children as they gobble up their regular Yum Burger and play their Jolly Kiddie Meal toys that their parents indulgently bought for them. They make Jollibee their last stop before heading towards the bus and jeep terminal nearby.

Maybe, now, a bit of joy and laughter would cost three pesos more. I would like to think that I wouldn't mind paying extra for my small share of happiness.  


Will commuter still be coming back to him?
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Jollibee is but one of the many establishments powered by the wage-earning Filipinos. Another worth looking into is the enterprising Filipinos that bank on the patronage of commuters and drivers. Jeepney and bus terminals make a good specimen. The entrepreneurs know they certainly wouldn't run out of customers.

One concrete example is this store near a jeep terminal in Alabang. It was interesting to see a store thriving six feet above ground level. When I saw this, I was curious as to how transactions are made in this store. As far as I know, the average Filipino is five feet and few inches tall!
 

I took a closer look to see the merchandise. They had candies, bottled drinks and cup noodles! Amazing!

No one can seem to stop an enterprising Pinoy from doing his thing. In a covered walkway in Las Pinas, another southern Manila city, it is evident that he plans to make his fortune from the pedestrians. Towards the end of this walkway is a tricycle terminal. There used to be stalls along this walkway, but it's gone now.