So, I commuted around Metro Manila to get around for a month. And I don’t mean Grab commute. I mean straight up train, public bus, jeep, uv express, pedicab, trike type commute. Whatever you got, I hopped on that thing. Some familiar, some I’ve never done in my life before. And because I like to introspect post event, here are my thoughts. ♥️
Commuting in the Philippines builds character. Walking through the grimy streets at night, asking for directions from people because your phone doesn’t know the answer, riding a siksikan jeep on a hot sweaty day, or hitching a ride on a motor when you’re out of options (don’t worry not illegal. This person happens to be a neighbor. I made sabay out of the village hehe). All of this and many more, teach you important lessons on resilience. Wasak ka na sa commute tapos you have to work pa. Mapapabilib ka talaga sa mga tao who do this everyday. I could only imagine the experience of those who live outside of Metro Manila, and work in the central business districts that travel back and forth just to get to work. Don’t give me that — you have the same 24 hours as Beyonce crap. First, give that working class woman her resources, a driver, a personal assistant or even better birth lottery luck. Then it’s a fair fight. With the same amount of grit I bet she’ll be a rockstar. Who run the world? — the workforce who deserves more than this.
Second, you appreciate the small things. How Filipinos are helpful. In that short time, I’ve been taught by many a manong how to get from point A to point B. Co passengers happily explained what the best route was. What the cheapest option was. Which option had the least amount of walking. There is good in people, and you don’t have to look so hard to see it. Sure I’ve been scammed once by a trike driver at some point haha! But that one time outweighs the many ones I’ve met on the road that got me to where I needed to go, and charged me fairly despite my ignorance. One of the things I love about the Philippines, is that every man is your “Kuya” every woman your “Ate” you don’t need to be related by blood. Plenty are willing to help, when help is needed. All you need to do is ask.
Third, check your attitude. Our government could do better. But as citizens, we also need to significantly improve on disclipine. Wag kang tatawid sa bawal utang na loob. That harang is there for a reason. Walk on the damn sidewalk! That red hand means stop in case you didn’t know. What applies to cars applies to you too. Bakit hindi mo alam? Fall in line when you’re on the train platform. Let the ones getting off the train pass first, it makes a huge difference to the flow of people. Fall in line when there’s a line, PERIOD. It’s late at night, everyone is tired no one believes your lies na kanina ka pa nakapila jan singitera!!! Stop it Susan! No one believes you! Back of the line or I will cut you. ☠️🔪💣
Ultimately, the Filipino people deserve better. We deserve a safe way to get to work, that won’t use up all our energy. A 3 hour commute for a 10k distance is outright unreasonable. I admire the resilience, but this situation is a lapse in governance. You can’t expect a minimum wage earner to buy a car, just to have a bit of comfort. Don’t give me that “Pag magsipag ang mahirap yayaman sila.” rhetoric. Dahil masipag ang Pilipino. We have our flaws, but we are hell bent hardworking. That’s not the problem. Of course I don’t speak in blanket generalizations I’m not engot. But we seriously need to invest in public transport. Our lack of hard work is not the issue here. What we need are walkable cities. We need bike lanes. We need disciplined puv drivers (Lord, help). We need a stronger incentive to not bring a car to work. We need a fully working train (a subway is being built, hopefully this makes the situation better).
Commuting is great. It has a lower carbon footprint than having to bring a car everyday. You get a good workout out of it. I average 5,000 steps going to Ortigas from where I live. That’s already half my daily goal! It’s cheaper by a lot too! Hopefully one day it gets easier. Hopefully one day we won’t need to spend 6 hours on meaningless travel daily. Hopefully one day I would actually prefer it over all other options. Hopefully one day we wont need to wake up at 5:00am to make it in time for work at 10:00am. ✨
Thanks for reading this far. I love you all. Except the manong who scammed me. You suck. Haha!
Truly, as John Lennon puts it “A working class hero is something to be”.
Bow.
