Looks like every urbanite is turning into a mass transport maniac nowadays. Given that the price of fuel is spiraling towards the heavens sure makes me feel sick…

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Mainit sa labas, kaya naman napag-isipan namin na magpahinga muna mula sa init na nilakad namin mula Calumpang hanggang Marikina Bayan. Dahil sa gusto na rin naming magpalamig, pinasok namin ang Museo ng Sapatos o ang Footwear Museum ng Marikina City....

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Saturday, I was at the class. I was informed that Typhoon Frank would probably hit Manila since the public signal warning was at signal number two yet there was sunshine.

I didn't took "Frank" seriously as I thought as earlier foretasted, would evade the Philippines and go to Japan instead, but it made a landfall.

Saturday afternoon after class, me and my friend went to Antipolo to do some research but failed due torrential rains...and this text from one of my best buds shocked me: "Bro, grbe bha sa Pvia, ara sa a2p akn u2d. (Bro, the flood in Pavia was at the worst. My brother was even at the rooftop.)..I was numb. I called my grandmother and she told me that she evacuated our house as half of it was submerged all of the sudden by floodwaters. The appliances and everything has not been saved...She's all alone. She said that it was the worst flood that hit Pavia in recent memory.

And as I went home and watched CNN, the scene of Iloilo's catastrophe was flashed for few minutes...familiar places which traditionally don't have floods were like Atlantis! Emotionally I was uneasy. I've been to the floods of Iloilo, experienced it first hand. But not this devastating.

As the day passes by, the news trickles the media as the city and the province reel itself from the ravage of the murky waters from the mountains, poured by typhoon "Frank" and habagat monsoon. And by those times as the rain diminishes, cadavers are floating one by one. Miserable, the roads were muddy, some places were like lakes,  trees down and people frantic. This is what I see from the constant texts and calls and media...I was awed.

Mother Nature's wrath was awesome, I was dumbstruck. Never seen Iloilo this miserable, this state that anyone was caught on a surprise. Disaster!!!

Despite hell broke loose, I am thankful that my loved ones are Ok. Although my home at Pavia was devastated and appliances were not salvaged, nothing of it could replace the lives of my loved ones who survived the wrath. And although my loved ones survived, I still sympathize and pray for those who lost their relatives and friends, hoping that they would soon recover and see the light behind the dark clouds.

Fellow kasimanwas, we will prevail. Our spirits would not be dampened, yet learned our lesson from this tragedy. We Ilonggos in history has this attitude of never-say-die, we fought for our freedom from the colonists, we've thread the murky waters of depression, we stood mighty despite the dethronement, padayon guihapon Ilonggo! This is the time that we can prove that we as Ilonggos are courageous despite our gentleness. Padayon Ilonggo! Pagkatapos sang sini nga kalaut na aton nga ginabatyag, amo na ni ang tiyempo sang panibag-ong pagsugod!


*Picture courtesy of Ricky Alejo and AFP

Dito na marahil sinasabi sa mga aklat ng kasaysayan, idineklara ni General Emilio Aguinaldo ang kasarinlan ng ating bansa. Alam na siguro ng madla kung saang balkonahe dahil na rin sa nakagisnang berdeng limang pisong papel noon na may larawan ng heneral na iniwawagayway ang bandila ng bagong republika sa harap ng a’la El-Shaddai na tao na iisa lang ang nararamdaman, at yun ay kagalakan...

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Pasig River has so much importance in the history of Manila. It was the EDSA during the pre-colonial era, a main water thoroughfare used by our ancestors for trade and travel. It has also become an advantage as a natural harbour for ships. The Spaniards came and constructed the walled city and several pueblos along the river. But just after World War II, as roads plough the streets, the river’s importance declined and was notorious to be "the largest poso negro in Metro Manila.....

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I couldn't believe it. For the second year in a row, President Arroyo transferred the non-working holiday to a Monday. Philippines is celebrating its Independence Day this week but June 12 fell on a Thursday. As a policy, holidays are always being moved from the nearest Monday or Friday. In this case, Monday June 9, is the special non-working holiday.....

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The latest issue right now is the squabble between GSIS and the Lopezes over Meralco. Its noisy, nakaka-turn-off. The former accuses the latter of gaining profits through hig cost of electricity given to the consumers. Yes, the power rates are one of the most expensive in Asia, thus uncompetitive. Is it really a squable for the greater majority or is it a squable for political vendetta of the president versus the Lopezes?

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"I had a blast!" It was that night that was like a welcoming party to me. Isang pagsalubong ng Kamaynilaan sa aking pagbabalik matapos ang 6 na taong pagkawalay dahil sa pagtatampo at pagkapagod..

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Philippines was then made of several kingdoms or chiefdoms, each had a seperate government which often goes to war during times needed. Maybe from a family feud all the way to economic sanctions to religious matters. Our archipelagic topography just made the divisions worse...
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The oldest among the rail transits in the metro, it was constructed in early 1980's by the Marcos Administration to drastically reduce the travel time from Paranaque City to Caloocan City, passing through the heart of downtown Manila. The said line runs from Baclaran to Monumento. Light Railway Transit was inspired by the tramvias of pre-war Manila (similar to cable cars of San Francisco) but on an elevated railway and with specific stations. It runs 15 kilometers with 18 stations north to south, traversing the roads of Taft Avenue, Avenida Rizal and Arroceros Street. So, here we start our joyride from south to north and get to know the destinations. The station guides at the next page

    
• Baclaran Station    – It is the southern terminal of LRT-1. Famous for being a crowd    and traffic drawer pilgrimage site every Wednesday which is at the Redemptorist    Church. The area is also known as a giant marketplace of everything    affordable, from apparel to cellphones to television. It is Divisioria’s    competitor in the south.
    
• EDSA (Pasay Rotunda)    Station – It is simply the big hub of passengers who are either    going to QC, Pasig or Makati or Manila and Caloocan. It is where you    disembark if you want to travel the Metro by EDSA either by bus (which    will take you, heaven knows when hours before you reach the area) or    by MRT, the blue line. The Taft Avenue Station of MRT is just a walking    distance away. Also, the place is a large transit area for provincial    buses mostly bound south of Manila.
    
• Libertad Station    – This is where you disembark if you want to go to Pasay City’s    market or watch a basketball game at the Cuneta Astrodome.
    
• Buendia Station    – The station in which you can either infiltrate the Central Business    District of Makati or the expanse of the World Trade Centre or even    knock your doors at the Senate of the Philippines.
    
• Vito Cruz Station    – Animo La Salle! The station where the De La Salle schools are    within its reaches. Also, this is the most convenient disembarking location    for those bound for CCP, Aliw Theatre and the Rizal Stadium. And oh,    Harisson Plaza Shopping Centre.
    
• Quirino Avenue Station    – Sightseeing at Manila Zoo or having a courtesy call with Malacanang?    Or bound to Santa Mesa? It’s the place to drop yourself off to these    destinations.
    
• Pedro Gil Station    – Sick and needs check-up, PGH (Philippine General Hospital) is    near, and same with the first UP (University of the Philippines) campus.    You may also want to shop or go bar hopping at nearby Malate or have    your judicial cases be solved at the Supreme Court.
    
• United Nations Avenue    – The gateway to the most famous landmark in Manila, Luneta or    Rizal Park. Also for those who wanted to have the American Dream, the    US Embassy is just at the western end of UN Avenue. NBI clearances and    wanting for investigation? NBI is here. And to our fellow mariners seeking    for a job, this is where TM Kalaw is.
    
• Central Terminal    – At the heart of the Capital is the Central Terminal or known    as Lawton. SM City Manila is nearby and so is the the old walled city    of Intramuros, a standing reminder of Manila living with Spain for three    centuries. Fort Santiago and the UNESCO World Heritage Site San Agustin    Church is here and so are the schools of Mapua, PLM, Lyceum and Letran    and the seat of the Archdiocese of Manila.
    
• Carriedo Station    – This is the gateway to the old soul commercial hub of Manila.    The famed Avenida Rizal and the old commercial strip of Escolta, the    Church of Santa Cruz and of course Chinatown Binondo where those Chinese    delicacies, restaurants and that imposing church is located. Pilgrims    of the Black Nazarene can disembark here as Quiapo Church is just several    blocks away. This is also another bargain hunter’s paradise.
    
• Doroteo Jose Station    – Going to Divisoria, the famed “THE BARGAIN PLACE” of Manila?    Or going to Sampaloc and head yourself to the University Belt or have    a rally staged at Mendiola? Heading for Cubao QC and Marikina, it is    the transit station for the Purple Line or LRT-2.
    
• Bambang Station    – Going north Luzon? Some terminals are located here or searching    for bargain goods.
    
• Blumentritt Station    – The street is named after one of Rizal’s supporters. This    is the transit station for those who want to ride the old PNR (Philippine    National Railways) for Alabang or its main station at Tutuban.
    
• Tayuman Station    – Once the gateway to the world of jockeys and horse racing of    San Lazaro, it is now the station for those who want to go to Tondo    or Sampaloc or shop at SM City.
    
• Abad Santos Station    – Visiting some departed loved ones at the Chinese Cemetery or    bound again for Divisioria, it is here where you disembark.
    
• R.Papa Station    – One of the gateways to Manila’s largest cemeteries, the North    Cemetery and Chinese Cemetery. Also within the vicinity is the lechon    district of La Loma in Quezon City.
    
• 5^th Avenue Station – Station for the residents and people bound to    the residential areas of Grace Park and also Dagat-Dagatan of CAMANAVA    (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas & Valenzuela).
    
• Monumento Station    – The last station up north. So called because of the monument    done by the National Artist Guillermo Tolentino dedicated to Andres    Bonifacio, a Philippine revolucionario and a hero. This is where you    transit for Navotas’ fish port, the zoo and antique places of Malabon,    the industrial Valenzuela and all the way to Bulacan and beyond. It    is also where Yellow Line meets EDSA once more, bound for Balintawak    Interchange and Munoz market, the “bagsakan” of Benguet vegetables.

This is so far, the places that I've been to in the Philippines. Wanting to go more and frequent places.

My Lakbayan grade is B!

How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!

Created by Eugene Villar.

First of the 4 Part series:

After the war, Manila grew phenomenally as migrants from different corners of the country converge in our nation’s capital to seek for better opportunities and alleviate from poverty. Along with the growth of population comes the expansion of urban areas. Some portions of the Province of Rizal eventually ended up as being part of one of the largest metropolitan areas in Asia.

Having said the trend of “Expand and Explode”, the burgeoning problem of mass transport and adequate roads became a necessity within the metro. Traffic jams were getting worse and mass transportation was getting antiquated. Buses are clogging the streets of Manila, and so were the jeepneys. Commuting time became long and unbearable.

By early 1980’s, having realized the urban blight that Manila was facing, President Marcos created LRTA or Light Railway Transit Authority, after series of feasibility studies were made. By 1984, the Yellow Line (from Baclaran to Monumento) started, which runs from Pasay and into the heart of Manila, all the way to Caloocan. By mid-1990s, the traffic congestion of historic EDSA worsens, triggering the construction of MRT Line 3 or MetroRail (Blue Line as categorized by DOTC) which runs 26 kilometers from Pasay City to Quezon City. Then in 2004, after years of construction, the Purple Line or LRT-2 opened. It spans from east to west, traversing Manila to Quezon City.

Before you go on a Joyride

So knowing a bit of a background of the metro, here are some tips to have yourself prepared from one of the things of Metro Manila urban living:

• So, for the first timers, you’re not going to use raw money to pay for your fare like what you do in jeepneys. Before you ride the train, buy a magnetic card which will be your ticket to your destination. Right now, its from P15 to P20 for the fare for the Yellow Line, P10-P15 for the Blue Line and P12-P14 for the Purple Line, depending where do you want to go. And as much as possible, don’t loose it. You’re going to pay a fine for lost tickets.
• The metro train systems were built out of necessity, so don’t assume that you’ll be seating most of the time especially rush hours. MRT especially is notorious for its long queues at the ticket slots and sardine-cramped coaches during rush hours.
• After complains from concerned women’s groups about no touchy-touchy scenarios during a cramped rush hour ride, finally there’s a segregated coach for the women, elderly, disabled and children at the Yellow Line and MRT, and usually the first coaches are. The rest of the train is still a sardine can, often so cramped that you need to push yourself in during rush hours.
• Watch out your belongings.
• No food or drinks allowed.
• No pets allowed.
• It is advised that you don’t bring bulky stuff in the metro or else.
• Have yourself ready for the long line and cramped coaches and a standing ovation along with other passengers.

*This article will be featured in Panay News' 27th Anniversary Supplementary Section for April 07, 2008.

I went to a supermarket yesterday to buy some goodies for our starving fridge. One busy post-pay day at the grocery store. While I was pushing my cart, the scent of alluring food being fried halted my feet to move on to the next aisle and instead went to the source of the temptation. Nanaman?! Another product sampling kiosk at the grocery store, and this time they are in multitudes! More choices!

And so I went to the kiosk with the desire to take a sample of their product. To my dismyay, the crowd got there first and took my elixir away! One of the things why I don't like going to the supermarket every post pay day. The crowd.

While the product promoter is tirelesly well, promote the again, product. People just take a sample and go. I don't know how many of her allured customers bought the product but it seems that whenever there's free tasting, everyone is caught into its mysticism.

I wonder why we Filipinos like having free treats?  

*Hango sa kanta ng bandang "Hotdog" 

I left her (Manila) 6 years ago with utmost disgust & hatred towards her. Leaving alone people who desserted and betrayed me back in high school carrying the hard cross of vengence over them and the place that gave me misery.

Back in college, it was even hard for me to go back to Manila (or Cavite perhaps). Cursing the place as many as possible. The people even, I hate the most. Plastik, or not sincere. The lifestyle, bent on poverty and playing with the nouveau riche or sometimes with what I dreaded...the conyo kids. And the fast-paced lifestyle that I cannot cope with anymore. Because of my decision to stay away from Manila as much as possible, there were some family issues occured and of course I felt uncomfy everytime I go to the metropolis. I've got that regionalistic stance against Manila and the Tagalogs before.

But times change, and so are the people. After college, I have a lighter stance against Manila. Acknowledging the fact that I have to come back here every year and it's our nation's capital. It may be noisy and dirty but it created a spirit of a Filipino dream amidst the chaos. Realizing that this is a hodge-podge of culture of Pilipinas, peoples converge here to attain a dream...alliviate themselves from bondage.

And as my succeeding trips after my Cebu fiasco days goes by, I learned how to appreciate Manila and its environs and the people even better. I grew up with this place, it has changed drastically. Hindi ko rin maitatakwil na dito rin ako lumaki, I'm also a Cavitenyo, Manila Boy and my primary Filipino language is still Tagalog despite fluency in speaking Ilonggo and Cebuano. I learned to appreciate it even better by seeing the unseen Manila, the heritage and appreciation of its culture.

Now, I opened my eyes again for her. Now I felt that I'm completely Pilipinas. I have Ilonggo-Ilocano roots with Mindanaoan relatives and grew up in Cebu and Cavite. I felt like Manila, a hodge-podge of colourful cultures. I appreciate myself even more...I'm now set to conquer my dreams!

Di ko sineselebreyt yang Valentines Day na yan. Parang isang ordinaryong araw na lang na dadaan sa buhay ko yan. Pero ngayong araw na ito, naranasan kong mataranta na hindi ko maintindihan.

Nakapasa ako sa interview portion sa pagkuha ng aplikante sa PAL para sa isang posisyon sa opisina nila dito sa Iloilo. Marami kam noon pero mukha yatang 10 lang ang natira. So, ayun binigyan ako ng isang islip na nagsasaad na may eksam kinaumagahan. Kala ko tapos na! Naisip ko na maswerte na rin ako't nakapasa sa interview pero di pa rin tapos ang laban. Susuotin ko nanaman ang bitin at masikip na slacks at ang masakit sa paa nga itim na sapatos na hiniram ko pa sa kapitbahay.

6AM. Matapos ang 8 oras na tulog na may interruption ng 5 minuto, naligo't nagsipilyo at nagbihis. Plano ko sana dumaan sa Catedral para humingi ng blessing kay Madame Candelaria kaso inuubusan na ako ng oras. Langya, magtataxi nanaman ako mula Plaza Jaro! P65.00 nanaman ang gagastusin ko! Hay mabuti na yan kesa ma-late!

Pumasok sa venue at nag-abang.

Nagsimula na ang eksamin. 10 na lang talaga kaming natitita samantalang sa kabila naman mga nag-aaplay bilang driver. IQ, Personality at Aptitude test o in short, psych tests. Hay ang BS Psych people nga naman o! Sa una mukhang madadali ang mga pagsusulit. Walang pressure, para lang malaman kung bagay ka nga sa tipo ng trabahong pinapasukan mo. Kung minsan nga ay may mga complete the sentence pa na portion, tulad ng:

My sex life _________________; My ideal woman is______________; Marriage for me is _________________....

Hanggang dito pa naman Valentines pa rin ang theme!

Nang dumating na ang IQ exam at aptitude tests, dito na nagkanda-leche leche ang lahat. Pressured ka sa oras. Ang IQ exam sa una hanggang ikatlong set, madali lang. Comparison at similarities, pero pag-abot sa set 4, medyo nalito na ang bangag.

Ang aptitude test mas madugo pa, may aritmetik...ang best friend ko sa akademiya....not! Paramihan ng tamang sagot sa loob ng 2 minuto sa kada 2 eksamin! Ang panghuli, mental power of arithmetic lang at bawal isulat sa papel. Oo nga at simpleng addition nga lang, pero kung ikaw ay ipinanganak na bobo sa math at time-pressured pa, ibang usapan na yun!

Matapos ang eksam, pakiramdam ko parang piniga ang ulo. Pagbigay ko ng answer sheets ko, at saka na lang ako inorient sa mala-El Dorado na compensation and benefits na binibigay ni Lucio Tan sa kanyang mga empleyado....parang dudugo ang ilong ko, nanginig at tila napapraning sa kaloob-looban ko, punyemas, ito na marahil ang pinakamagandang comp&ben package na narinig ko so far! Waaahhh!!! Libreng tiket, mga benepisyo pati ang sweldo! Hay! Langit na kung mapapasa-akin ka lang!

Sa loob pa ng 2 linggo malalaman ang resulta. Kinondisyon ko na ang sarili ko na huwag umasa ng grabe. Maghahanap pa rin ako ng ibang alternatibo para hindi ma-frustrate kung sakaling di papalarin. At bago ako umuwi, bumalik muli ako kay Madame Candelaria at humingi ng patnubay at lakas ng loob na harapin kung ano man ibibigay sa akin ng Diyos.

Pero sana ito na nga. Kung hindi, marahil hindi para sa akin ang nasabing trabaho.

   

Pebrero 2. Ito na marahil ang pinaka-una kong pagkakataon na maranasan ang sinasabing pinakamalaking pyesta ng Iloilo, bago pa man sumulpot ang Dinagyang sa syudad. Ito na ang Pyesta ng Nuestra Señora de Candelaria ng Distrito ng Jaro sa Syudad ng Iloilo. Noong una, hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit parag grabe ang kasikatan nitong pyesta na to, na magdadala sa north part ng syudad sa grabeng trapik at di mahulugan ng karayom na namamanata sa Birhen.

More sa www.taralets.i.ph

 

In the conventional history text books, they would mentioned that  when Aguinaldo declared Independence, all of the islands have been independent from the Spanish colonizers. They were dead wrong. After that mock battle between the Americans and the Spaniards in August 1898, the latter transfered their power at Iloilo to make last reforms but they were too late.

Given that the Ilonggos were loyal to the Spanish crown (as manifested by thge city of Iloilo's seal "La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad"), the Spaniards stayed here thinking that they will be confident with the company of one of the most loyal peoples to them, they were wrong.

Sometime in late November, an event in Jelucuon (now part of New Lucena town) lead to the spark of the Ilonggo Revolt against the colonizers. Later on, they will move to the town of Santa Barbara in which Nazaria Lagos "smuggled" the Philippine flag beneath the haystack. Santa Barbara was the first place outside Luzon to have hoisted the Philippine flag. The downfall of the European power is inevitable.

The story of freedom and nationality is being celebrated 109 years after its declaration in Santa Barbara with their Annual Kahilwayan Festival which is held every November 17th. Kahilwayan is the Hiligaynon word for "freedom". The town has brought in their best dramatic interpretative dance tribes, manifesting their graceful moves and the drama behind their ancestor's fight for freedom. This year though, the Santa Barbaranhons celebrated with 3 band-contingent competition reliving the "Marcha Independencia" which was played during the freedom march from Santa Barbara to Iloilo City, a century ago.

As the largest flag in the VisMin area was hoisted, so are the spirits of every Ilonggo, remembering what their ancestors did to attain such freedom that we enjoy now.

For more pictures of the Kahilwayan Festival, click the phrase below:

Kahilwayan Festival (Santa Barbara, Iloilo)

Wow! It has been months since I last posted in any of my blogs. I was quite tired or not  having time to write or something like that. But anyway, I've got overloaded with festivals from every corner of Western Visayas, starting here in Iloilo all the way to Bacolod.

Anyway, I went to Bacolod City last weekend to witness the Parade of Festivals, as part of the annual Western Visayas Tourism Assembly (although I admit that they should market this event more). This activity will bring in the festivals of the 6 provinces and 2 cities of Western Visayas. Truly, the mark of street dancing-mardi gras type is in the bloods of the Panaynons, Negrenses and Guimarasnons.

Despite lack of promotion from the part of the organizers, the parade still pushed through with pomp and gaitey. 14 contingents went to Bacolod to showcase to the people what their festival is all about. They followed the traditional Masskara Parade route from Paglaum Stadium to the City Plaza.

Then the parada goes on. Started with Laua-an Antique's Pahinis Festival, which depicts the production of muscovado in the said town. Next was the Pandayan Festival of Badiangan town of Iloilo which illustrates the making of the town's famed knives by the blacksmiths. Next is the contingent of Sinadya sa Halaran of Roxas City Capiz which is more of the traditional Philippine folk dance. Dancing to the beat of samba and its famed drumbeaters, the Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota City was a delight for the festive belly dancers. Then the Minuluan Festival of Talisay City Negros Occidental which depicted the fight of the natives and the Moro raiders.  Afterwhich it was followed by Sinulog sa Kabankalan which is similar to Dinagyang of Iloilo City. Next was the Babaylan Festival of Bago City which gives color to what was then the most powerful person in the pre-Spanish colonial Philippines. The very colorful contingent of Pintaflores de San Carlos City, the first time I saw them since the Sinulog de Cebu brought vibrance to the said event. The dancesport and the samba of Paraw Reggata of Iloilo City performed followed by the Bariw Festival of Nabas Aklan which resembles of the mother of all street dancing in the Visayas (Ati-Atihan) that showcases their product. Then the last three was finalized by the rioutous yet highly choreographized Dinagyang contingent (first time seen in their dark brown skin-tone), the Manggahan Festival which shared their luscious mangoes to the guests and of course, the colorful gaitey of Masskara of Bacolod City which  gave a celebratory finish to the said event.

I had finished my mission in Bacolod. Not bad after all despite some flaws that happened. As the sunlight starts to fade away, it didn't washed away the joyous attitude of the Negrosanons, Panaynons and Guimarasnons. Despite the hardship, they never gave up to show  their smiles and resilience.

For more pictures, just log on or click this URL address:  Parade of Festivals Western Visayas Tourism Assembly 2007 (Bacolod City)

 Habal-Habal is the most popular mode of transportation in the mountainous areas and the hinterlands of Visayas and Mindanao. It is made of just a motorcycle that can go from a single to as much as 3 to sometimes 5 passenegrs in some areas (with a wooden plank extending away from the vehicle, also known as "skylab")! Bilib talaga ako kay manong! But numerous news about accidents relating to riding a habal-habal is quite rampant, so I'll be giving you tips on how to surivive a habal-habal trip:

1. Pray that you arrive at your destination, whatever religion or belief you have. Trust me, it works!

2. Kung medyo wala kang hiya, better smell manong habal-habal driver if he's reeking with alcohol. If he does, there's a possibility you'll go either to the gutter, to the hospital, to heaven or hell. Better check other habal-habal drivers.

3. For girls, if you're quite conscious about riding with manong driver and you have no choice, then better get someone whom you can be trusted (especially night trips!)

4. Better request manong driver to please slow down his speed. You don't want to fly don't you?

5. Better bring an umbrella to either protect yourself being roasted tan or getting a second shower.

6. You should ask manong driver how much does he charge if it'll be a special trip or a destination quite far before you embark on your trip. You might get overcharged upon arriving at the destinantion.

7. Don't bring balikbayan boxes and everything, except when manong driver agrees to have your baggage tied up behind you.

8. If your somewhere in an abortion road or in for a rocky ride, you'll be expecting some stops.

9. Kung maarte ka and you don't have any other choice of going to your destination except habal-habal, then better wait for a car to pass by. It might take decades though in some remote areas!

10. You should hold on the motorcycle's back handles for safety.

11.  Ask manong driver if he has an extra helmet for safety. If he doesn't, then pray for your safe journey.

Filipinos, in their creative way, will make a way in order to survive. Given lack of transportation in the countryside, Juan de la Cruz doesn't fail to pave the way for his ingenuity.