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.

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.

Cultured Commuters

This is a sight the people frequenting the Cultural Center of the Philippines do not get to see. Fresh from Basilan, and bearing their distinct scent and naturally-dyed hair, the young Badjao performers donning their authentic street clothes staged their performances on jeeps. The lead female dancer moved her shoulders to the beat of the authentic Badjao music drummed by her male companion using an ingenious pair of drums made of PVC pipes. The dancer alternately lifted her shoulders to also show the finger movements which were set to the heart's beat. But no applause would be heard. The young performers handed their envelopes to the unappreciative audience who ignored their appeal for donation, and then they stepped down for another performance elsewhere.

In my mind, they would have had the perfect opportunity to showcase their talent to the common folks. Much of the jeepney-riding population's cultural experience, I think, is limited to television shows and Sunday park activities and whatnot. The Badjaos, an ethnic group from Western Mindanao, was an entertainment for me, but for the rest of the passengers, they were just money-making dancing beggars. I couldn't blame everyone else for thinking this way. I have heard of syndicates using kids to solicit money. The dancers weren't at all different from other mendicants.

On hindsight, I was happy that the young ones were perpetuating their culture; Manila youth nowadays wouldn't know how to dance the Carinosa or the Pandango sa Ilaw unless taught or required by their P.E. teacher. But a more important realization would be the perpetuation of the culture of begging. Do we want to increase their tribe and populate our streets? We have the say in this; after all, we, commuters and motorists, seem to be the patrons of their cultural and economic, and even criminal causes.