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This is EDSA. Nope. this is not the place were my phone was stolen. I don't have a photo of the area.

It was Saturday morning, 7th of May 2011, at Manila’s busiest thoroughfare, EDSA. Southbound lane at the loading and unloading area just across our office at EDSA Central. It was one heck of a humid morning. My office-mates/colleagues have already alighted a Ayala Ibabaw-bound bus. I am waiting for my bus bound for Dasmarinas, Cavite. I have kept away my important belongings in my bag: wallet, my cellphone, and my ID. My headphone was inside my shirt. I do this everytime I’m on that area–just for safety. For numerous times my important belongings have been stolen, I need to be vigilant. Yet the following unfortunate scenario happened…

EDSA-Estrella Southbound Bus Stop

Then came the bus bound for Cavite. I walked towards it. In front of me was a woman and a big man who disembarked first. Then, I alighted the bus. The man and the woman were arguing with the conductor and the driver. I dunno what were they fighting for but they were coming down the bus. All of a sudden, a surge of five men went towards the door and pushed me hard against the door. I was crushed by two conflicting forces whom they were making a rowdy and scandalous scenario that “they were in a hurry.” At that instance, I knew I was being robbed. My focus shifted towards controlling the rowdy bunch but I felt that my cellphone was being stolen at that time, since my phone was connected to my hidden headset. When I felt it, I suddenly screamed, “Hoy, cellphone ko! Cellphone ko! Asan na?!” (Hey, my mobile phone! Where is it?!). Then the rowdy bunch let go of the door and dispersed in the crowd. I managed to pull one of them but I opted not to inspect his bag–they were in a group. Too risky…they may attack and stab me to death. I just let them go. The crowd, they were just standing, probably afraid or doesn’t seem to care at all.

EDSA-Estrella in Makati

After that, I reported the incident to the nearest police station (which was a few meters away). Even though those thieves wouldn’t be captured and my phone wouldn’t be retrieved, (or even trust the police in solving the crime, if you thought so) I think it is still the best way for us citizens to mitigate and fight crime and hopefully wouldn’t happen to others. And so, I therefore conclude, the Ipit Gang was behind my unfortunate fate.

And as for me, I lost my phone and I continued my life. I’ve done everything, even if I was alert. Yet safety was still the utmost priority. Never mind the phone, I value my life more. And for thousands of commuters like I, lets be vigilant.

Here are some tips on how to be safe on commuting or taking public transport in Manila:

• Put valuable things on your bag and not on your pockets.
• Bring your bag in front of yourself.
• Watch your surroundings for any suspicious people on the move.
• Go on  well lighted area.
• Don’t show off your latest iPod, Blackberry or any precious belongings on the street.
• Be vigilant. Huwag tatanga-tanga.
• If possible, have yourself accompanied.
• And if the inevitable comes, its better to surrender your belongings rather than fight them–especially when they attack in groups.
• After the incident, report it to the police immediately.

This is the reality of living in a big mega-city mired with overcrowding and poverty. Tourists and local commuters alike should always practice vigilance at all times.

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It’s currently my first week at my new job. After a year, I’m back at graveyard shift. Yup, I’m back where Edward Cullen and his family take on a rampage to the innocent bystanders. Oops! Not for the green minded! My daytime IS night time. 11 PM to 8 AM!

Although the feeling of nausea and sleepiness is part of this schedule, I am however, blessed by this fact: Going to work is as easy as 45 minutes or even less! Yes, people of the republic–no longer I am subject to the tenacious and seemingly endless cycle of Buhos system of Cavite! No standing at the bus, kissing the doors, being harassed by the bus conductor or by manyaks, and most of all–goodbye sardinas sa bus!
My usual daytime trip from Imus Cavite to Mandaluyong would usually take 1 hour and 30 minutes–on average that is. Because there are times that it reaches 2-3 hours! But for night time, 45 minutes–or even less than it! The roller-coaster ride or EDSA’s Bus Rapid Transit time starts at 9PM!

Safety risks however are higher than daytime. The presence of scums of the society linger the streets of Manila during night time. So taking extra precaution is necessary.

While it may be a fast going to work, its a long and dragging way going back home from Mandaluyong to Imus. EDSA’s southbound lane is jam-packed during morning rush hours, as the most residents of northern and central Metro Manila converge here and heads all the way to the financial heart of the country–Makati City. I spend almost an hour from Shaw Crossing to Pasay Rotunda, with most of the traffic between Crossing and Ayala Avenue.

Despite the crawling traffic, the bonus thing here is that Cavite-bound buses are almost bear-empty, after disembarking most of their passengers at Makati and Pasay Rotunda. So I can just sit back, relax and doze off.

Well, this schedule will be temporary as I am originally assigned for morning shift. Anyway, as a commuter, this is something that I am to confront with.

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Roxas Boulevard near Baclaran

PARANAQUE CITY, PHILIPPINES — Today is Baclaran Day, or the day when the devotees of Our Lady of Perpetual Help converge at Baclaran Church in Parañaque City, one of Metro Manila’s busiest and most congested districts. As expected, early morning will be the start of the traffic jam that normally occurs every Wednesdays. But this Wednesday, August 4, was no longer ordinary for me. MMDA failed big time! It failed the commuters way big time!

At around 6:10 AM, our bus from Cavite, bound for EDSA, entered Baclaran’s bus stop for the usual dispatch. They have a new chairman, a former mayor of Tagaytay City. So like always whenever there’s a new king to lead his men, they implement the traffic rules strictly. So those who disobeyed are instantly reprimanded or apprehended. Just to play it safe, the driver of the bus entered the dispatch bus stop area at Baclaran, rather than risking to pay P1,000 fine…from that time on…it was ‘haynakupo!’ for most of the passengers. It’s Baclaran Day, obviously you’re entering the eye of the storm!

Okay, so we’ve waited…but hey hey! Why are the other city buses not passing by the dispatch area?! We started to feel disgruntled against the bus driver for letting us pass through the crowded service road of Roxas Boulevard for the usual dispatch. C’mon! Of all the days! Miyerkules pa, Araw ng Baclaran! Dito mo pa kami padadaanan! But the driver justified it. Well, go safe rather than risk it. So, we moved through the crowded road like a snail.

View MMDA Baclaran Dispatch in a larger map

It was 6:30AM, after moving slowly towards the front of Baclaran Church, we’re nearby the MMDA Dispatch. I thought it would be a relief, but the bus in front of us won’t budge a bit. Fifteen minutes have passed, the bus still hasn’t moved despite the large space in front of it. The conductor of the other bus pointed out towards the MMDA dispatch booth. He said, “Sir, hindi po namin kasalanan! Ang tagal magdispacha ng MMDA!” (Sir, its not our fault! The dispatchers at MMDA are slow!”) Indeed, I noticed the long line of conductors lining up outside the MMDA booth–irritated and irked with the seemingly long bureaucratic practice of dispatching buses bound for EDSA!

I’ve wanted to take a taxi, but to no avail. EDSA-bound buses were also apprehended and were stopped by these crocodiles. Taking Buendia-bound buses would be equivalent to suicide since the traffic congestion at Buendia is commonly high. Therefore, I have no choice but to wait.

It was 6:50AM. At this juncture, I’m no longer able to keep my calm amidst the chaos. I went down, I complained to the MMDA personnel at the booth, they say in somewhat a rude voice, “Huwag nyo kaming sisihin dahil alam naman ng mga konduktor na matagal mag-proseso ng dispatch!” (Don’t blame us because the conductors know that processing a dispatch is a lengthy process!) What the F?! All of a sudden, my irk against the pasaway bus drivers and conductors was gone. I was rallying against the uber-slow processing of their dispatch papers! The passengers were already irritated, they started shouting curses and “perwisyo kayo sa mga pasahero!”–but those at MMDA traffic pointed to the conductors and bus drivers. Obviously mga palusot!

For the first time, I was enraged and sided the bus drivers and conductors. They may be pasaway, but the bureaucratic process that MMDA’s using–cellphone/text/SMS for confirmation is ONE BIG PIECE OF SH** slapped on the commuter’s faces! If the MMDA indeed is into order and for the convenience of the greater majority of those who use Metro Manila’s roads, then why put the passengers into this inconvenience?

It was already 7:00AM. I have lost my patience. I’ve screamed in an MMDA traffic control’s dispatch face, “Langya kayo, sagabal kayo! May trabaho din kami pero wala kayong mga pakialam! Ang bagal nyo pang magdispatcha! Lintik, irereport ko to sa Orense!” Along with that, was the hurl of complaints fired at the booth. I left Baclaran following a conductor who’s running towards his bus. They left immediately without being cleared…we were clearly pissed off. A lot of passengers had disembarked out of losing patience and the threat from their professors and bosses.

Yesterday, it was also the same experience, however it was fast. Oh, the cameras of ABS-CBN were there too yesterday. No wonder they’re performing well…although still a major hassle for commuters! And today, the cameras are gone, the only difference was…here comes the usual “bureaucratic processing mode” that I think all Filipinos know about the government—kaya pati pagproseso ng dispatch, ganun na rin ba katagal?!

It is for the first time indeed, that I’ve complained not because of the bus drivers making terminals out of bus stops, but the body that imposes discipline and order in the roads of Metro Manila. The ones who were supposed to expedite convenience for the public, was the one hindering the progress of the public. It seems that the usual government bureaucratic red tape that has once hindered and stalled processes, has infiltrated the traffic control. Damn it, this is not processing for business permits for crying out loud! What’s next, do they need ID from the passengers and have it photocopied? This is the transportation sector on the go, it is supposed to be moving–but not like that of the usual bureaucracy!

I was late with the appointment, I was scolded. I apologized. But MMDA too should apologize for the inconvenience they have brought towards the passengers of southern Metro Manila and Cavite. I am still to complain to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. Five minutes is all right, but wasting 45 minutes of our travel time is too much! 45 minutes in Baclaran, but not because of the devotees–but crocodiles in the uniform! We don’t deserve such inconvenience! Sila pa may ganang mang-huli, sila pa ang magaling magpalusot sa sarili nilang kapalpakan! Before they even dare to apprehend motorists, they too should apprehend their men as well on working well with their jobs. Don’t point to bus drivers and commuters which is obviously MMDA’s fault in dispatch!

Baclaran Day pala, I wish I could have just stopped over the church and pray for the mercy of their souls.

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Buses at EDSA Crossing (EDSA-Shaw Blvd Junction), Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Okay, this would be just an advice to those who take a bus in Metro Manila, most especially city operation buses that ply on EDSA…please make sure that the conductor has already gave you the change…sukli, cambio. Or else, face the consequence of inconveniently going to the bus company’s depot which most likely are located in far flung areas and suburbs!

I got that experience last night, Friday the 13^th. After sleeping less than 4 hours, worked for 8 hours and went on an event and watched movies, I was dead tired. My friend and I were bound on the same bus at EDSA Crossing in Mandaluyong. Good thing there was a bus bound for Dasmarias, Cavite! A relief! Since these buses are rare during late night hours. I paid for our fare, that’s about PhP38 per person from Crossing to Imus, Cavite (x2, that’s about a total of PhP76.00) with a PhP500 bill. It’s a no surprise that the conductor didn’t gave me my change by then since they don’t have enough bills for change or sukli. Ayun, nilagyan nya ng pirma nya at P500 para patunay na meron pa syang kailangang bayaran sa akin. And the bus went off to Cavite…and was filled up to the brim in no time! I was so dead tired that I didn’t realized that we’re in Imus, an hour later…just beyond midnight…tapos, pagbaba ko…dun ko narealize, di pa pala naibibigay sa akin ang sukli ko sa P500 ko!!! It’s quite big since its about 424 pesosesoses!!! Dalawa o tatlong araw na halaga na ng allowance ko…without hesitation, I said to myself….”Pupunta ako sa Lunes sa garahe ng bus na yun!”…It was Friday, obviously a weekend, so I have to wait.

Rush Hour Waiting at a No Loading/Unloading Zone in EDSA-Buendia (south bound), Makati City, Philippines

Monday came, I went to their office. I gave the boletas or tickets to the officer in charge. At first they got confused why are there tickets that have different ticket numbers which is out of sequence…kumbaga, may mga tiket na wala sa series ng ticket number ng sinakyan ko na bus…to my mistake, I mixed up older bus tickets! Kaya nagtagal kami…but the issue was resolved as quickly as possible, thank heavens that manong konduktor was there at the garage. He immediately gave me my change and apologized for inconvenience. On my part, nagpasensya na rin ako at pinahirapan ko pa sila mag-trace. At least that was resolved, but I’ve learned my lesson: always be attentive!

And a lesson, you really have to keep your ticket for inspection…and for ease of transaction between you and the bus company.

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EDSA Traffic

A lot of us are taking for granted the sign “Keep Ticket for Inspection” in the buses or even in its tickets. Let’s not be hypocrites here, sinisiksik natin yung tiket kung saan saan o di kaya itatapon na lang kasi parang basura ang mga ito. It’s a hassle but given the nature of buses in Metro Manila which of “come and go situation,” most of them don’t issue those very detailed tickets unlike those who serve on provincial routes. That recycled ticket is the most important thing that you posses upon riding a bus…so keep your tickets until you’ve reached your destination. Here are some of the tips and consequences on keeping or not keeping your bus tickets. It’s in Filipino.

EDSA 102: Keep Your Tickets for Inspection tips and consequences, or else bahala ka sa buhay mo:

1. Laging mapagmasid. Pinapa-alahanan ko po sa mga kababayan ko pong komyuter, na laging maging mapagmasid…hindi lang sa mga walang-hiyang magnanakaw at iswitik sa tabi nyo, pati na rin sa mga kundoktor ng bus na sinasakyan nyo. Sa Kamaynilaan, di nag-iisyu ang mga bus ng mga detalyadong ticket nang tulad sa mga provincial buses, barko o eroplano. Come and go operation kasi sila at ito’y naaangkop sa mando na nasa EDSA.
2. Kung may barya, bayaran mo na lang ng smaller bills o barya. Mas maganda kung mga bente, sinkwenta o barya sinsilyos ang ipambabayad nyo. Lalo na’t sa umaga para wala nang hassle ng sukli. Pero kung wala…basahin ang susunod na tips.
3. Kung walang panukli ang konduktor, pasabi sa kanya na pirmahan nya sa likod (natural na pinipirmahan talaga ng mga kundoktor ang tiket kung wala pa silang panukli) ng tiket.
4. Magpapansin na kay manong konduktor. Kung alam mo nang puno na ang bus at medyo malapit ka na sa destinasyon mo…magsimula ka nang magpapansin sa konduktor. Paalalahanan mo ang kanyang obligasyon sayo na meron pa syang dapat isukli sayo. Huwag kang parating umasa na maalala ka nya, lalo na kung punong-puno ang bus! Napapagod na rin sila sa dami ng pasahero.
5. Kung may kasama ka, sabihin mo sa kanya na iremind ka nya na may sukli ka pang dapat kunin kay manong konduktor.
6. Huwag itapon ang tiket. Simple lang naman ang hinihiling sa inyo ng bus company, huwag itapon para sa inspeksyon…may nakasulat na nga sa tiket na “Keep Ticket for Inspection,” meron pa nyan sa mga naka-paskil sa mga dingding ng bus. Kaya pagbigay sayo ni konduktor, huwag itapon o iipit sa mga kasingit-singitan ng upuan o gawing wrapper ng pinagnguyaang babol gum! Kasi ganito ang mangyayaring scenario kung itatapon mo ang bus ticket mo:
   1. Magbabayad ka uli kung mag-iinspeksyon na ang supervisor ng mga konduktor at nahuli kang walang tiket. Huwag ka nang magtaka kung bakit magbabayad ka ng doble…ang linaw ng nakasulat sa tiket…minsan maliit nga lang!
   2. At kung wala kang tiket at walang inspeksyon na nangyari at may nangyaring masama o di kanais-nais tulad ng di ka nasuklian ng konduktor o aksidente, wala kang patunay na ikaw ay nakasakay sa bus at mahihirapan kang makagawa ng transaksyon sa bus company.

7. At ang pinakaimportante sa lahat…huwag maging tanga o magmukhang tanga! Huwag isisi ang lahat sa konduktor, may kasalanan ka din kumbakit di mo nakuha ang sukli mo. Responsibilidad mo din ang pagsakay sa isang pampublikong sasakyan.

A bus line plying Lawton-Cavite/Batangas

At kung umalis na at di pa naibigay sa’yo ang sukli…just hold and keep your ticket (kung andyan pa ang ticket) at pumunta ka sa garahe nila sa kung sa anong kanayunan pa yan. Karapatan mo din na makuha ang iyong sukli mula sa bus company, basta may patunay lang na may obligasyon sila sa’yo…Dun nyo marerealize na, napakaimportante pala ng tiket sa buhay ng isang commuter!

EDSA-Crossing (EDSA-Shaw Blvd Junction), Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines

We can clamour LTFRB and the bus companies to have their ticketing system upgraded for theirs and our convenience. Konting dagdag lang sa puhunan ng pagbili ng mga kompyuterized na ticketing machines. But as of now, we have to deal what is given to us as of the moment…and as simple as keeping your ticket for possible inspection is as important as riding yourself to your next destination.

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EDSA-Pasay Rotunda

by Jeannette Andrade of Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—The top official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday said that he would ban passenger jeepneys from plying Edsa with the completion of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 North Extension Project next year.

At the Balitaan sa Tinapayan forum in Manila, LTFRB chairman Alberto Suansing also said that he would reduce the number of passenger buses plying one of the busiest thoroughfares in the metropolis.

The north extension project, which is expected to be completed by January 2010, will connect LRT 1’s Monumento Station to the Metro Rail Transit 3 North Avenue Station.

Suansing explained that since the time of President Ferdinand Marcos, passenger jeepneys have been banned from plying Edsa.

He added that with the completion of the MRT loop all the way to Caloocan City, there would be no need for passenger jeepneys and a reduced demand for passenger buses.

A test-run of the LRT 1 north extension project was expected to be conducted this December, he said.

Meanwhile, a jeepney transport group on Sunday pushed for a 50-centavo hike due to the series of price increases implemented by oil companies.

Pasang Masda president Roberto Martin, who also attended the forum, said his group has already filed a petition with the LTFRB. He asked the public for understanding, citing the refusal of the “Big 3” oil firms—Pilipinas Shell, Chevron Philippines Inc., and Petron Corp.—to allow government agencies to examine their books of account.

Suansing, meanwhile, assured the transport group that he would hold a hearing next month to hear their petition.

News from Inquirer.net, written by Jeannette Andrade of Philippine Daily Inquirer

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Epifanio de los Santos Avenue or EDSA for short spans around 24 kilometers. Named after a Filipino historian, it was once known as Highway 54, it forms a semi-circle road which links the cities of Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon and Caloocan and considered to be one of the busiest thoroughfares in Metro Manila (with about more or less 200,000 vehicles per section everyday!). Also called C-4 or Circumferential Road 4. I know that this wouldn’t be my last post about this very interesting road that we have at the heart of Metropolitan Manila.

EDSA Today

Ortigas Interchange, EDSA

A major artery of socio-economic force not just in the capital but also of the country itself, as it connects several important financial, educational, residential and government institutions of the country.

Written on August 01, 2009 — I just learned earlier this morning of the passing of a Philippine icon of democracy. A caring housewife and widow of a senator turned into a mother of millions of people after ousting 2 decades of autocratic rule. As the heavens of Manila cried over the passing of Corazon “Tita Cory” Cojuanco Aquino, former president of the Republic of the Philippines, she has left a mark in Philippine history that restored democracy, weathered several coup d’etats and became a symbol of power of Filipino women and a mother. This article I write shows defiance on that fateful day when the heavens created a miracle, and Cory was one of its instruments. To Tita Cory: Many thanks and be happy with Ninoy and to God, you have done well in your life. Padayon!

On February 1986, being the location of two important headquarters of both the PC (Philippine Constabulary, Camp Crame, successor is today’s Philippine National Police) and the military (Camp Aguinaldo), people barricaded the streets in protest and defiance with the Marcos rule. The public outrage, brought by the assassination of the opposition figure late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino in 1983 and the so-called “dayaan sa (cheating at) Snap Elections” in which Tita Cory (wife of Ninoy) run against the Marcoses during those times.

“Sobra na, Tama na, Palitan na!” (It’s too much, that’s enough, let’s change it) was the battlecry of multitudes who went in to EDSA on that day, defying and courageously confronted the tanks and guns with flowers, food and rosaries.

As the people cried for change, this strong defiance of status quo has reached it’s mark when the Marcoses fled to the United States and installed Corazon Aquino as the new president of the republic. That was a fateful February. I was only 2 months old by then.

The Shrine

It was not so long ago when people went here and ousted another president, that was in 2001. Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was accused of corruption that sparked another revolt, and yes they all went to EDSA once more. Meeting place: EDSA Shrine.

EDSA Dos Relif at EDSA Shrine

Tell me, what’s with this place that it seems to be a magnet of protest and defiance on authority on a peaceful note? Perhaps the lure of the first EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986. The shrine was constructed in 1989 as a remembrance of the mass action that ousted a dictatorship. A miracle that happened at EDSA with no blood shed in the road.

EDSA Shrine, Quezon City, Philippines

The big statue of Mary, Queen of Peace is a famed landmark. A reminder of the democracy that we Filipinos cherish more and that peaceful day when millions joined hands in facing what it seems to be an impenetrable forces.

It does not only serve as a reminder and a landmark, but also its a venue for Catholic masses as well. Yes, its not just a monument, but also a Catholic Church.

Our Lady of Peace, EDSA Shrine

Today, its located just at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue in Quezon City. Going there is as easy as pie. You can take an MRT (go down at Ortigas Station and walk towards Robinsons Galleria), bus or taxi here from almost anywhere in the Metro.

So whenever you think about EDSA, think again. It has done probably so much of its span in  much of our daily lives that we didn’t noticed the little things it has done for us today. Philippines stood here, historically and socio-economically.

More photos below:

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See the picture above? Its like every urban dweller’s dream! EDSAng walang trapik and vehicles you can count by fingers! Yup, that’s our very own busiest thorougfare in the country…Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, or EDSA! Sana nga araw araw ganito! Ay apo! But wait, there’s more…most of Manila’s roads were almost empty…whoa! Now that’s quite creepy…parang War of the Worlds ata? Hmmm…not! 

This was December 26 2008…a day after Christmas and people are expecting a long holiday…really really long! In fact, the longest holiday the Filipinos have experienced in the 21st Century so far! Ergo, the exodus from this humongous dormitory called Metro Manila and back to the provinces. Yes, although the Metro and its suburbs may reach 18 million in an ordinary day…right now it feels like it dropped to just a million or even less! Hehe! The metro is a big dormitory I tell you. People come here to work and spend holidays in the countryside!

Now, go to Cubao and Munoz or Pasay…and the sidewalks were lined up with last minute commuters. Mga parekoy, nung Pasko pa umalis ang mga bus at nasa probinsya na…maybe they weren’t lucky to hitch a ride on a bus on Christmas Eve. Anyway, mahaba pa naman ang bakasyon so most of them were willing to wait with their big bags and boxes of pasalubong under the heat of the sun.

Now…with Manila desolate, I thought I’ll be enjoying a flawless and uncongested driving. I was wrong…the cars went on a holiday…and along with a desolated Manila is a congested countryside!

Hahahaha!!! Kamusta muli Berniemack! Andito nanaman ang salot ng bayan mula pa sa Cavite, si “heavy traffic congestion!” The demon of asphalt greeted me upon arriving at Dau Toll Plaza in Angeles City Pampanga….Oh c’mon, you again?! Indeed, cars were lining up to pay their dues to the Lopezes, lords of NLEX, for as far as a kilometer of crawling bugs and vehicles. After cruising from home at Cavite, passing by Manila with a breeze and flying at NLEX, here’s an appetizer for that day…that day after Christmas!

Well after paying our dues to the Lopezes of NLEX, we tried SCTEX or Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway which is one of the legacies that the Great Madame by the River will be leaving hopefully by 2010 for the Filipino people! In fairness, it is really a big help for the vacationers and businessmen who travel north. Now its easier to go up to Baguio without getting stuck in the traffic at Mabalacat or Tarlac City. Boy we did enjoyed cruising…and we were at Tarlac City in less than 30 minutes…passing by lahar fields that ravaged Central Luzon before.

Ok, its back to MacArthur Highway…the traditional way going north. The roads were widened somewhere near the Tarlac River dikes…of concrete and asphalt! Good, at least they know that the traffic volume has been increasing significantly over the years…but then again the demon greeted me once more…

Anak ng…ang trapik sa Gerona, Paniqui at Moncada! Whadda?! Back then it was easy driving here…but now its like seeing the nightmare of Aguinaldo Highway once more! Worse, they don’t know “buhos!” There were no accidents in Tarlac that time…only the influx of  vehicles and passengers who are out of Manila for the holidays! Grabe! I never knew this would happen a hundred kilometers away from the Capital…at loko din itong demonyo ng aspalto, our freon (refrigirant) on our car aircon ran out and we were sweating like pigs over charcoal! And we haven’t seen any decent car aircon repair shop for 2 hours! Yeah 2 hours and still stuck somewhere in Moncada Tarlac!

And so we opened the windows and we thought that our ordeal was over in Moncada and was excited to cross the boundary of Central Luzon and Ilocos Region…but no. Here comes that demon again just in front of the welcome arch of Pangasinan province! Hay, di ba sya nagsasawa?! Ok, to make this long story short, traffic jam at Carmen-Rosales in Pangasinan..may SM na rin kasi dito..and a busted bus in the middle of the road! Nakabalandra! We had an hour stopover at Villasis to fill up the aircon refrigirant.

And this is not over yet…welcome to Urdaneta City…tumigil ang mundo and its already 5PM…9 hours after we left home! Urdaneta is usually only 4 hours away! Damn, traffic jams are getting worse by the day! Although they were widening their roads anticipating for the big traffic volume but the construction hasn’t finished yet. Worse, it was during the holiday season…so traffic is at its peak! 

After Urdaneta to San Fernando City, it was smooth cruising. We part ways with Baguio-bound vehicles just at Rosario La Union..so we will be cruising all night towards Vigan City…which is a pain-in-the-ass 6 hours away still. San Fernando City’s traffic is negotiable, you still have the option to pass the by-pass road instead of going downtown.

And by the way, from the boundary of La Union and Ilocos Sur all the way to Vigan, expect the roads to be “not good” as its undergoing rennovation which is due few months before the Great Theatre of Elections of 2010 begins.

There was a diaspora of people out of Manila. Don’t ask where the vehicles were during Christmas holidays…alam mo na ang sagot, umuwi rin sila ng probinsya! Cars take holidays too you know.

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More photos here: