Pay it forward

It appeared as if there was no stopping; it rained continuously the whole night.

My sister entered my room at five am, waking me up and telling me that she'd borrow my umbrella. Not wanting my sleep to be interrupted, I immediately told her, "Ok" and went back to sleep. The sound of the rain pelting on concrete and the cool weather lulled me to a longer sleep. Thus, I woke later than my usual time.

I couldn't be late and absent. I would sense that someone or a few might have called in sick in light of the endless pouring of rain. I should go to work.

Surprisingly I did not have to wait for a long time to get a ride on rainy Friday. I was already contemplating the thought of taking a cab to work.

Halfway to his destination, a man gives a five-hundred-peso bill to the driver. "Walang panukli dito," said the driver. 

"Puedeng mag-gasolina," said the passenger.

"Puno ang gas ko. Pag-umaga barya dapat," was the driver's lecture.

I heard coins being searched."Ito, ma, trenta, sa Baclaran na lang po ako baba," said the passenger whose destination was Pedro Gil, around 10-15 kilometers from Baclaran. I quickly imagined a man drenched in rain as he wait for another vehicle to take him to Pedro Gil.

I felt I had to do something, but I did not. Just before reaching Baclaran, a woman beside me took out some coin from her purse and gave the driver the remaining fare the Pedro Gil passenger lacked to get him to his destination.

The Pedro Gil passenger was not aware of what was taking place, so the other passengers informed him of his luck. I did not hear a 'thank you,' however.

No one got off at Baclaran, but the kind lady got off with me in front of  my building. I had to say to the stranger, "it was nice of you what you did."

"Someone did the same to me, " and we entered the building to together.

Suspension

August 7, 2012 will go down in my history as the first whole-day work suspension in my government career. The rain has been pouring non-stop the past week. If forecasts are right, with emphases on 'if'  'forecast'  and 'right' since we are in the Philippines, we will be expecting less rain on Thursday, August 9.

In the meantime, I am trying to stay home although I have been itching to go out. I'm stuck at home, and it's for the best.

News feeds and status updates all say that the rain is not stopping anytime soon and that conditions outside are bad. Groups are coming out with relief drives for the victims.

My images are different from those that make the news sites and papers. There is nothing much to do; hence, this post.

Either way in Sucat is flooded

Men in umbrellas.

White dude about to swim in the pool.

College students having fun in the pool as classes are called off.

Another man in umbrella.

He still works despite the rain.

Some girl...

In fashion.

I wonder where she's going. It's none of my business, really.

I am stuck in my unit. These are shots from my window, nothing compared to what's happening in most part of Luzon. I pray conditions will be better tomorrow.

Wet pose!

I came to the office one morning in wet shoes and hence wet socks. Awful. Good that I have got a cubicle to hide my feet after removing my shoes and socks to let everything dry. But there was no way to stay barefooted all day. I was not going to buy a new pair of shoes, but I had to buy new socks, at least. 

Barefooted at the office

It's the rainy season again. I don't enjoy commuting in the rain, really, but I gotta do what I gotta do.

In one of my recent commutes, I had to go to Alabang. It was raining, and I hopped on the first Alabang-bound bus I saw, which was a 'Southmall' bus. That will do, I told myself. 

Upon entering, I was instructed to leave my umbrella by the driver side. I was hesitant, thinking that someone might take it, but I understood the instruction. I went farther inside the bus sans my umbrella and with no view of whatever was going on at the driver side. It was a one-hour long ride, and my mind was on my umbrella.

When we arrived at SM, I was glad to have my umbrella with me. I was made to think of my distrust for fellow commuters. I was ashamed that I even thought that someone might steal my umbrella; umbrellas during those time were hot commodity, and I had no plans of parting with my umbrella on a rainy day!

Growing up in Zamboanga, a city not part of the typhoon belt, I did not experience having class suspension because of the weather. It was my college education in  Manila  that prepared me to brave the storm of the city. And since I chose to live in our nation's capital, I should not complain; the school kids of Paranaque are not.

Paranaque school kids trying to keep themselves dry

I took this on July 23, 2012. I like her pose.

Checklist

Outside my university, during my freshmen year,  I learned some very valuable lessons which were to aid me in the commuter life I would lead later on. INVEST IN A GOOD UMBRELLA, PAIRS OF FOOTWEAR and VITAMIN C's!

Discussing this is very timely since it's the rainy season again. How interesting and distressing Manila is when she transforms into a lake! It's not good to be a commuter during these watery times: our leather shoes' lifespan dimishes, we become prone to sickness and other water-borne diseases, we are left stranded in the city's 'highlands', vehicular traffic is on a standstill and many others that compound the misadventures of a Manila traveller.

When I was younger, bathing in rain was a natural thing to do. To feel and taste the rain was a delight, but to do it now at this time and in Manila would be kissing death. To stay away from the rain would be the better option. Filipinos also want to play.

Manila's weather, and the Philippines' in general, has influenced much of the Filipino commuters' daily knapsack content. Must haves are:

a. Umbrella. Folded umbrella is the preferred choice.

b. Slippers. Save those leather shoes!

c. Plastic bags. In absence of slippers, people wrap their feet in plastic bags.

d. Alcohol. A dip in the water requires heavy disinfection afterwards!

e. Plastic document folders or envelops. They substitute for umbrellas.

f. Raincoats or hooded jackets.

g. Tissue/'Bimpo'/Face towel. Wipe those raindrops away!

h. Loose coins. The 'padjak' guys make a killing during the rainy season and so do the 'bridgeway guards.' 

In reality, Filipinos could do away with any of these. The best weapon they have in their bags is their ingenuity that never fails to save the day.

PS. The comment box is there for a reason. Hehe.