COMMUTING SKILLS

Who says only those who drive need to learn some skills? If you are a regular commuter in Metro Manila, you need to learn a number of skills in order to arrive in your destination intact and the in fastest possible time.

First on the list of skills you need to master is the Balancing Skill. As soon as you enter the bus, the driver wouldn't care if you are able to find a seat, he will just step on the accelerator. Most of these drivers never ever have taken seriously their Physics classs in high school (if the reach that level!) and understand Newton's "Law on Inertia". So you have to learn to find your seat while the bus is running. Now, the balancing thing would be more of a challenge when you take the jeepney becuase you have to to the balancing act with your body bending.

Next skill you need to learn is understanding the signboards. When you see an Ortigas in the bus sign, never ever take the bus immediately, look if its has Ilalim or Flyover in it. Of course, when it has flyover, it means it won't be able unload in Robinsons Galleria.

Another thing you need to master is the schedules of special celebration like Baclaran Day, Araw ng Makati, etc. Why? Because if you are in hurry and you passed by Roxas Boulevard in Baclaran during Wednesday you are bound to be delayed because of the traffic. Wednesday is Baclaran day and considering the number of devotees of that that Church in Baclaran, it would certainly clog the street.

One time also, I was surprised why the north bound lane of Buendia from Southsuperhighway was jammed with vehicle. I learned later on that a portion of Ayala was closed (the one fronting the Philippine Stock Exchange) because of the Araw ng Makati Celebration. One taxi passenger was stucked in Ayala for four hours during that day.

Now, if you have a cellular phone. Never consider the bus as safe place where you could send your text messages. As much as possible, do not use your cellphone while you are in the bus or jeepney, becuase if you do that would be a sure invitation for snatchers and/or holduppers masquerading as passengers in the bus.

Next, if you hail an FX taxi and yu notice most (if not all) of their passengers are male who looks suspicious, the best thing you could do is to wait for another FX taxi. Why? you migth be riding with holduppers again.

Now, if you are taking the MRT, it would be wiser if you would go to the frontmost cab. MOst of the passengers are crammed at the back where the terminal entrance/exit is near.