Byahilo - Commuter Discussions

Quiet ride

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 02:53:00 +0000

The trip this morning was uneventful. Slow and without incident.

Passengers in the FX I took were in their own world. In the rear seat of the AUV, one passenger was sleeping, another is chatting via SMS, and the only girl in our section is staring out the window.

It was a quiet ride.

Road courtesy

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:38:00 +0000

Getting into traffic near a fare-rich corner is different from getting in at any other part of the thoroughfare.

Passenger utility vehicles compete for fares all the time. They race to get to stops with lots of prospective passengers. They try to outmaneuver each other or cut off the other PUV to find a spot that will give them the most fare.

The trick to get your vehicle filled up with paying commuters is to be at a corner when the light is red "forcing" the driver to stop. That gives them an excuse to load passengers in a no loading area.

To achieve this, drivers tend to dilly-dally when they are approaching a corner with a stoplight. so they get stopped at the right moment -- at the corner where pedestrians abound.

Entering traffic near a corner full of prospective passengers will be to your advantage because PUV drivers will use stopping to let you pass as an excuse to miss the green light and get that coveted spot. :)

Work demands and old officemates

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:19:00 +0000

On my way to the office this morning, I over heard two passengers sharing some thoughts about their respective offices.

I sat in the middle seat of the public utility transport. Behind my section are four other passengers, two on each side facing the other two. The persons talking are in that rear section. One is behind me facing her friend who is seated behind the person at the opposite end of the four-seater middle section that is facing forward where I am seated.

One girl shared that "if you do what needs to be done, they won't bother you" and "it (workload)will all depend on the client. One client has lots of branches (sic) they have a lot to do."

The other agreed and shared "one of our clients pulled out."

I cannot really discern from which offices they work for but it appears to me they are account executives.

One of them later added "he is old and we call him grandpa. He is nearing retirement and he said he will work on his garden when he retires" and ended with "there are a lot of old people in our office."

Her friend behind me shared "it seems that your office is full of senior employees nearing retirement."

They did not mean anything negative about their senior co-workers but they might be wondering if they will feel the same when they get to that age.

Caring driver

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:23:00 +0000

Public AUVs in our country's capital are equipped with radios allowing them to chat with their buddies - primarily to warn them of the presence of any traffic enforcement officers in their route.

On our way home this evening from a day out, we overheard the driver call on his buddy asking where he is. I thought may be they have something planned for the night. When the other guy responded, our driver asked him if he has a specific passenger on-board. Some lady he describes based on where she gets off and what she was wearing that day.

When his friend gave the affirmative, has requested the guy to give his "hello" to the girl who in turn responded with a "see you tomorrow" through that driver.

It did not end there.

The other driver cautioned our driver that he might get caught by his "alpha." Our driver assured his friend that his "alpha" is leaving for the US probably to work.

Since wives are called with a word starting with a letter A in our country, we surmised that he must be referring to this wife.

We have a sort of a slogan in our country that says "drivers are sweet lovers." And our caring driver has so much love and care to give that he is willing to share it with his regular passenger.

Traffic violation - patience is a virtue

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:59:00 +0000

On my way home from work, I took a jeepney ride from Crossing (along Shaw Boulevard near EDSA across Shangri-la Mall)

When we crossed San Miguel Avenue, the jeepney stopped and took on some passengers. This practice was allowed since it does not affect the flow of traffic much. When the driver was ordered by the traffic enforcer to move ahead, a woman carrying a big plastic bag with 2 one gallon containers (probably in a hurry to get home) called him to stop so she could board. The driver heeded the would be passenger. He stopped, let her board, and began to drive away when the enforcer banged on the side of the vehicle and told the driver to stop.

My fellow passengers and I were confused at what was happening and are unable to discern the discussion between the enforcer and the driver. In the end, the driver got off the jeep and followed the enforcer to the road island to talk to another enforcer leaving us confused, annoyed and impatient.

Two of the passengers thought aloud directing their words to the distant driver saying that he should just fork over some cash for coffee or snacks so we can be on our way.

Impatient that we are, we sat and waited. Meanwhile the woman-who-may-be-the-cause-of-all-the-delay for stopping the driver even if he was asked by the enforcer to leave got up and off the jeep then waved on other jeepneys passing us.

Fearing that they might end up like the other driver, they ignored the woman and went on ahead without stopping.

Less than 2 minutes later, the driver got back on the jeepney, was given a final warning and set free.

When we left the scene, I saw the impatient woman-who-may-be-the-cause-of-all-the-delay still waiting for the next jeepney to come by.

Sagay City River Cruise

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:37:00 +0000

In June, my boss visited Sagay City in Negros Occidental to grace their founding annivesary. The mayor treated us to a 2-hour river cruise that included lunch.

At that time, there was only one floating restaurant. They do plan to augment this with a few more so more people can enjoy the cruise.

We got off at the city boundary and boarded the resto. The trip ended up in a "port" near the mouth of the river opening to the sea. This port serves as a haven for many fishing vessels of the cityfolk.

Here are some pictures.

The river.

Lunch "on" the river.

Because of government officials on-board, we got police following us.

The raft is being pushed through the river by a modified motor banca.

Dinagat Islands - beauty and mystery

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:08:00 +0000

Last June, I went with my boss to visit Dinagat Islands. The province (Islands) is composed of many islands that includes the main landmass named Dinagat. It is a two hour ride using the regular public transport from Surigao City to the main port.

We arrived at the pier after 6:00pm

First on our agenda was a visit to the complex where the body of Supremo Ruben Ecleo Sr. lies in state.

Next was a visit to the Ecleo Castle that was built with contributions from Dinagatnons all over the world as a gift to their "matriarch," the widow of the supremo.

Inside the castle, you will be treated to various artworks from wall displays to carvings to lighting.

The veranda has a good view of the town below and the seas beyond. But I was only able to take photos with my back on them. My phone can't take any good shot at the good view.

The facade is just as great as the interior.

We stayed overnight at the resort of the governor of the province, the lovely and talented Gov. Jade Ecleo. She does not only sing but she has an album all her own. In fact, she will be having a concert at the Music Museum on September 12.

The resort faces a calm and inviting beach that I, unfortunately, failed to enjoy.

The ride aboard the Philippine Navy Assault Craft back to Surigao Islands took less time due to the calm seas.

Before we left Surigao City for Agusan del Norte and home, I took a picture of the welcome tarpaulin that hung at the seaport of the city.

It was a tiring yet education trip to that island of beauty and mystery. I also had a nice chat with Vice Governor Elvis dela Merced. I learned that we do the same job when we travel with our bosses - we are both super alalays.

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:15:00 +0000

Happy New Year to all bloggers and blog readers!

Asiaten Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:46:00 +0000

During our sortie in Tarlac City for the culmination of the Emergency Employment Project of DepEd, we were booked at the Asiaten Hotel owned by Mr. Danilo Asiaten. Set in the heart of a residential subdivision, the hotel presents a cozy relaxed atmosphere away from the noise of the highway plied by North-bound buses and private vehicles 24/7.

Converted from being a school compound into a residential hotel, the two-level U-shaped Asiaten Hotel looks like an apartment complex with a large communal area in the middle.

Near the gate is the reception area where guests can check in or out 24 hours a day. Manned by helpful and courteous staff, each guest is greeted with a smile and advised of amenities available or problems at hand - we were informed the night we arrived that there will be a power and water cut-off from 7am to 9am the following day.

Though the parking space may be limited, a security guard ensures the safety of vehicles parked outside the compound. Not to mention the fact that it is inside a secure residential area with little or no non-resident traffic.

A poolside restaurant adds to the comfortable and relaxing breakfast. They serve Filipino, Continental, and other dishes to clients. They get your order for breakfast before bed time including the time you wish to have them so it can be fresh and ready by the time you take your seat on the iron and rattan chairs with your laptop on checking your morning email through the free wi-fi internet connection provided.

I hope to visit Tarlac again in the future in a more personal time to truly savor the soothing ambiance of the Asiaten Hotel.

Merry Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:21:00 +0000

Merry Christmas to all bloggers and blog readers!

Memory gap

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:32:00 +0000

During a recent trip to Baguio City, I observed that the conductors of buses seem to have a good memory of who owns which luggage.

During pre-departure, the conductor receives the bags of the passengers and ask them where they are getting off. He then arranges the luggage depending of the passenger's destination. So how can he be sure that the passenger handling or taking off a luggage is the same passenger? In my observation, he commits them to memory.

As he receives a luggage, he looks at the face of the passenger and at the luggage. It is here where I believe he makes a mental note connecting the passenger to the luggage. Theft can happen when during stops, a passenger takes somebody else's luggage from the compartment. The bus companies seem to be able to avoid this by limiting access to the compartments to the conductor. The driver never opens the compartment.

If a passenger wishes to take something from their luggage, it is the conductor who opens the compartment and observes the passenger. I think during this time the conductor tries to retrieve the face-to-luggage connection he made earlier.

So far, I have not witnessed any theft of luggages during a provincial trip with Victory Liner.

Hybrid public transport

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:45:00 +0000

During a trip to the Municipality of Lubang in the island of Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, I chanced upon this hybrid public transport:

This is a tricycle that carries the body of a jeepney. It has two seats in front and two two-person seats facing each other at the back. Its 'hood' resembles that of a jeepney including headlights, radiator grill, bumper, crash bar and vertical posts.

I haven't really tried riding one because we were on a tight schedule and I was the designated photographer at the time. The next chance I could get to visit Lubang and stay longer, I will make it a point to ride one.

Lubang Island has two municipalities divided by a mountain range. The other town is Looc. The only ways to get to Lubang from anywhere in the Philippines including mainland Mindoro is from Manila via Roll-on, Roll-off ships, a medium sized wooden ferry, a not so often 60-person commercial flight via AirLink, and chartered planes.

Lubang is so isolated and inaccessible that crime rate is down to zero and the land and its beaches still virtually virgins.

If you do plan to visit Lubang, please be sure to have a mobile phone using SMART telecom as there are no other service providers in the island.

Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:38:00 +0000

I got a chance to be on an official visit to Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon a couple of weeks back.

Upon arrival at Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City, we had a quick breakfast at Koresko Hotel in the outskirts of the city before returning to the airport once again.

From there, we took a light plane (a Helio Courier I believe is the name) owned by the Summer Institute of Linguistics. SIL has a language center in Nasuli, Bukidnon and operates the light plane to ferry their linguists from one tribal center to the other.

I noticed during take-off that the plane was parked beside some assets of our Philippine Air Force based in Cagayan de Oro City.

Among our humble air assets are:

MG-520 attack helicopters,

UH-1H helicopters and OV-10 Bronco counter-insurgency aircrafts.

As we took the 45-minute flight to Malaybalay, Bukidnon, I can't help but appreciate the beauty of the Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon landscape.

I am amazed by the shaping of the lands by shallow rivers - that I believe to be the venue of the popular white water rafting.

There are, of course some farm lands that abound the area. They farm almost every crop from rice, to corn, to bananas, to pineapples.

Others even built their on inland resorts (I think) on these untouched lands whose access roads remain to be dirt roads.

In Bukidnon, we met with local officials, teachers, parents, and students and distributed the LGU-private sector led, and later DepEd supported, Essential Health Care Packages. These packages include toothbrush and toothpastes for oral health care, solid and liquid soaps for hand washing, and medicines for de-worming.

Later that day (and after a butt-aching 2 hour drive through winding - twists and turns sharply - road), Cagayan de Oro City's representative to Congress (one of two that they have) suggested adding a fourth component of the package - a feeding program. He suggest that kids with clean teeth, clean hands, and worm-less tummies are not complete without proper meal.

In the evening we stayed at the simple yet comfortable Discovery Hotel and Restaurant located near the Mallberry Suites Business Hotel and Robinsons Cagayan de Oro.

It was a wonderful experience to see CDO and Bukidnon. I get to meet its people, savor some of its delicious local delicacies and (ehem!) flirt with its ladies (just some smiles, winks and small talks and nothing else).

You should see it for yourself.

Generosity in the midst of economic crisis

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 02:30:00 +0000

We often hear public utility drivers whine about increasing fuel prices. They seek increase in fare that are held back by the government. We never hear about their generosity to some passengers who themselves do not have enough cash to pay for their fare due to one reason or another.

In the Philippines, public mass transport is owned by private individuals, groups or companies. Buses and some taxis are company-owned. Jeepneys, most taxis and AUVs are owned by individuals or groups.

For those owned by individuals or groups, drivers are employed on a turn basis - you drive today, you have a day-off tomorrow. Some drive the vehicles everyday. From the earnings of the day, drivers need to pay the owners what we call a boundary (a fixed amount that serves like a rent for driving the vehicle), they spend from that income fuel and repairs when needed. What's left becomes their own personal income that they take home to their families. So, you can see how important it is to them to have a good balance between fare rate and fuel cost.

But like the Filipinos that we are, we tend to be generous even if we have not enough for ourselves or our families. Maybe it is the religious upbringing in most of us or it is our character that makes one a true Filipino.

Just yesterday, I got into an AUV plying the Megamall-Pateros route. When the dispatcher began collecting our fixed P30.00 fare, one passenger seemed confused at how much the fare was. He repeatedly asked the dispatcher how much the fare is and how much the other passengers paid for their fare.

In the end, he conceded that he only has P20.00 with him which puzzled us.

Why did he get on the vehicle when he did not know if he had enough money to pay for the fare? That was the question that ran through my mind, blurted by the dispatcher, and - probably - thought by the other passengers as well.

The passenger never responded. I don't think he even paid for the fare.

And the AUV driver, the good man that he is - God bless him and his family - told the dispatcher to charge the fare to him. The dispatcher agreed and gave the driver his due from the fare collection less one passenger's fare.

I never knew what that guy's problem was. And I am not in the position to ask.

During the ride to Megamall, I remembered when I had the same problem. I took my sister to the sea port for her trip to Iloilo eating lunch on our way. When we were about to part ways at the gate, I gave her extra for some food at the ship (her ticket allows her free meals anyway). All I had left is twelve pesos which I thought will be enough to get me back to Quezon City.

When I paid the fare, I was told that the money I gave is not enough to get me to Quezon City. All my money is tied in my bank account and I did not bring the ATM with me.

I told the driver to drop me off wherever my payment brings me. He just smiled an said not to worry and that he will take me to where I am going. He added that at least, I told him that I did not enough cash unlike other passengers who do not pay the right fare.

God bless that man. And God bless all our PUV drivers who spend their days and nights on the risky streets to feed their families and educate their children.

Tacloban City

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:08:00 +0000

I went ahead the Secretary for the 33rd Founding Anniversary of DepEd Region VIII in Tacloban City. The actual venue of the celebrations is the DepEd Regional Office in Palo, Leyte.

When I arrived at the airport, I got to see the new planes used by the Philippine Airlines for their PAL Express flights. This one came from Cebu direct to Tacloban.

While in Leyte, I was booked by the regional office in Mac Arthur Park hotel now managed by the Philippine Tourism Authority.

In the evening of the first day, I was treated to dinner at the Ocho Seafood and Grill restaurant.

There they have fresh seafoods for customers to choose from. Once you pick a fish, you tell them how you want them cooked or ask them for the best way to serve your meal. I had plentiful and it was fun.

Cebu City travel

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:36:00 +0000

Last September 8 to 11, I went on a trip to Cebu City for the 3rd National ICTs in Education Congress hosted by the Foundation for Information Technology Education and Development Incorporated (FIT-ED) with the Department of Education (DepEd) Philippines.

It is the first time I truly saw Cebu. The last time I was there for a management committee meeting, I only got glimpses of the place.

Mactan-Cebu International Airport is, I believe, the smallest International Airport I have seen.

We stayed in a dormitory at the DepEd Eco-Tech Center in Lahug Cebu City.

It was a pretty nice place almost similar to the cottages of the Baguio Teachers' Camp - commented one of the reporters who were with us.

The rooms were quite cozy and are affordable at about P270.00 per night sans meals.

Why eat indoors when you can try some of the fine food outside? Just a few meters from the gate, there are makeshift stalls that serve regular and exotic meals.

Romy, the driver assigned to assist us told of servings of eels and grasshoppers in the stalls.

Unfortunately, we only learned about this during our drive to the airport for our return trip.

Traffic jam

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:57:00 +0000

On my way home this evening I witnessed a traffic jam that I could only used to imagine. I'm afraid I was unable to get a photo as the drivers and commuters may get offended. They are after all caught in a jam while in the middle of their excitement to get home.

But I did get a snap shot from Google Earth and drew some lines using GIMP image editor of my Linux OS on the place as what I have seen.

This jam is so tight the traffic enforcers may need to be creative enough to untangle it. And I can only ask you to imagine. Just imagine the line of vehicles on all lanes reaching back from about 200 meters to as long as a kilometer.

And everyone has only one thought in mind: to get home as soon as possible. And I mean everyone including those who caused the jam.

Solutions to rising fuel cost

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:00:00 +0000

On my way home one night, I got to ride shotgun with the jeepney driver. I found out that the driver is not merely a hired help but the son of the owner of the jeepney. The vehicle we are riding is their source of income. And it helped finance the college study of the boy.

The topic of our discussion went around the prospect of father and son to minimize overhead cost that is fuel. At that time, diesel prices were running at about 55 to 56 pesos per liter.

A leading means of coping with rising fuel prices is conversion of vehicle engines to liquefied petroleum gas burning ones. Since that solution only works for lighter vehicles with lighter loads like taxis, the key to saving on fuel for this family is converting their diesel engine so it can run on biodiesel.

I learned from the driver that the government is actually offering jeepney owners a P450,000 loan to have their engines replaces with custom biodiesel consuming engines. The amount also includes components like specialized fuel tanks and pipes and other engine parts.

Another option is a much cheaper refit costing only P50,000 pesos.

As a graduate of marine engineering, the driver knows some of the advantages and disadvantages of having a new set of engines and doing a simple refit.

While I forgot all about the pros and cons of the solutions, I was able to remember the thoughts of the driver on his father's plan to buy a new jeepney instead.

To him, a refit or a new engine beats buying a new jeep. First among his considerations is the cost. He thought they can save hundreds of thousands with a new engine and some minor repairs on the chassis and the body.

The move of the government to assist owners of public utility vehicles is, at best, a noble one. But I believe, the government can do better. With all the minds, skills, and experiences at its disposal, they could have come up with a better solution.

Sure, fuel cost is affected by rising world oil prices and fluctuations of the dollar but a solution will always present itself. The govern should just take a closer look at things and have an open mind. What they should keep closed are their thoughts to having prospective campaign sponsors from big oil companies whose reservoir of black gold is almost drained.

Expense or convenience

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:42:00 +0000

Just last week, the construction of the C-5 U-turn flyover has concluded. Now vehicles coming from Makati and Quezon City can use the flyover to get to Pasig or Pateros via Buting.

In the past, commuters and drivers alike need to go further to get to Buting after the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority implemented the no left turn rule in C-5. They will either turn right to Kalayaan and make a U-turn near Fort Bonifacio's Gate or drive ahead and around Market! Market! to be in Pateros. Some opted to use the new bridge in Sta. Rosa, Pasig.

This new u-turn flyover has come as a convenience to these travelers.

But just how many need this flyover? Will this prove to be the convenience people need or be just like the flyover in Meralco Avenue that crosses Julia Vargas where only a trickle of the daily rush hour travel fly through? We'll soon see.

Music to my subconcsious

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:43:00 +0000

This morning, I was able to get to the terminal at almost 9:00. As I was waiting for the next FX to come along, I heard a Visayan rendition of a popular song played in parties and discos.

At first, I thought the song is about a party that the singer and his companions joined one night. They had fun in that party and later on the lead singer asked one of his friends for a prepaid load of three hundred pesos so he can call someone to say hello-lo-lo-lo-lo.

The music got stuck in my mind and I sang it, or at least a part of it, in the office. One of my officemates knew the song an since she is Visaya, she told me my interpretation of the lyrics was wrong.

What the song actually told is that, yes the guys did join a party and had fun but among those served for them to eat is what we call "butete." They ate the butete and were poisoned by the food. It resulted to them feeling dizzy (nahilo-lo-lo-lo-lo).

On my way home, I now have a better grasp at what the song means.

As luck would have it, I heard the song again as the radio station the jeep I was taking was tuned in to played that same music.

It was bad enough that I was playing the song in my head in the office, now, I am still playing it in my subconscious up until the time I am about to sleep.

Sheesh!

Of work and play

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:47:00 +0000

During the commute home, I had nothing to do but worry about an unpaid service rendered to our office. While in my stressful and distressing thoughts, I overheard four people talk about work and play.

There were two males and two females. One of the females is obviously the most senior employee since they address her as ma'am.

When they boarded the jeep, they began their discussion about a sports event where they came from. The two girls must have played in that game since they were both wearing uniforms. The two boys were probably just spectators because they were in the usual friday outfit of collared shirts and jeans.

After a few moments of teasing the "players" at how they fared in the game, their discussion shifted to things that happended in the office. They were laughing about how one of the guys was surprised by their boss with a question and gave an answer that is not in any way related to what was asked.

After a few minutes of office talk on the subject of questions and answers, they shifted back to the game that afternoon. This time, they talked about their other officemates and how they played.

The senior gal got off at her stop leaving the three others continue the journey with me.

Since the remaining three seems to be going to the same area, they changed topics to who lives where and who lives near to whoever. They even discussed who the town mayor of the last girl is.

In a minute or two, all three got off at the same stop to take another ride to where they are going.

And that ends their talk of work and play.

Most unfortunate

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:28:00 +0000

This morning I arrived at the PUV terminal at around 8:20 hoping to get on board soon and be on my way to the before 9:00. But what greeted me is a very long line of fellow commuters waiting for their turn to get on board.

I was debating with myself if I will go and wait in line or if I should take another way to the office. I chose to wait in line.

By experience, if I take a jeepney to Pasig City, then take another FX to the office, it will probably take me more than an hour to get to the office.

I asked the dispatcher why the line grew longer than usual. He said that there is an on-going boat race along the Pasig River and most roads used by the drivers on their return trip is closed. the boat race is part of the celebrations for Araw ng Pasig.

I had no choice but to just wait. And it is past 9:00 already.

Waiting it out, I was able to get on board after 30 minutes and be in the office in another 15. What a way to start the month...

Right turning vehicles keep right

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:31:00 +0000

As far as I know, the rule in a highway without a traffic light is that vehicles that will turn right must stay on the right lane and those crossing will keep the middle or left most lane wherever applicable. This however, does not hold true in C-5.

Everyday that I commute from home to the office, when we get to the corner leading to Valle Verde Subdivision, our PUV always has a hard time turning right on that corner. Well, the traffic is usually heavy in the part of the highway but it is not the volume of moving vehicles that gives us a problem turning right. It is those educated and mostly professionals who drive their cars along the right lane even if they are not turning right.

It always amuses me to see these driver in nice cars, wearing nice clothes looking all educated. And yet the education seem to have been placed on the backseat just to be on the lane where the vehicles move faster.

And what's bad about it is that if you get to cut them off so you can turn right, they'll get upset.

As the expression in one of the jokes I received through email says: the nerd of this people!

New facade

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 08:31:00 +0000

Mayor Fred Lim of Manila making putting his own make-over of the Pasig river shores. I chanced upon a project being undertaken under the Quezon Bridge near Quiapo market.

On my way home from a meeting at the Presidential Management Staff Building in Malacanang, I took a jeep plying the Pasig-Quiapo Echague route from Arlegui to Quiapo's Quinta Market. At the back of Quinta Market right beside the bridge is the Quiapo Terminal of the Pasig River Ferry.

Between the passenger waiting area and the pontoon dock is a beautification project being undertaken by the Manila City government.

The wide area about a quarter of a kilometer long is being paved with red and off-white stones. This walkway stretches from the edge of Quinta market bordering FEATI university up to the point where the river is met by another stream.

I don't know yet how this will look like when the project is done with all the displaced settlers under the bridge and beside Quinta market. And how will this sort of a promenade be accessible to the public without compromising the security of the ferry terminal.

An update is forthcoming!

Those who are first become last

noreply@blogger.com (K) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:24:00 +0000

There are times that you feel unfortunate to at the end of a long queue of people trying to get a ride to the office. And there are times that you feel very lucky to be first in the line or in the first group to board and leave.

An of course, there are times that even though you were the first one to leave, the driver of the vehicle that is last to leave drives a lot faster than yours.

Just this morning, I was lucky enough to leave before 8 that will assure me that I will arrive at the office right before nine. While we were on the highway (C-5) just past the u-turn slot near Valle Verde when suddenly, an FX AUV tried to bump us. It turns out that the "rammer" is a coleague of our driver. They both belong to the same transport association. And this second AUV is supposed to have left about 10 minutes after we were on our way.

Lo and behold, a third AUV was also there and overtook us.

In the end, our AUV, that left around 7.45am was the last to reach my stop. And I thought I was lucky to be in the group that went out first.

And so, the first, became last. Haaay...