Schedules for today were all set. people to come with me were already informed, vehicle was booked and available, budget was set aside and have asked for permission to go out for the whole day. These were in my mind when I woke up this morning. At least, I will be travelling from here to Taft Avenue just to meet the people I’m going with. Fra John, a Friar and Sr. Regine, a nun. We will be together for the whole day. I asked for the permission to visit Maharlika village in Taguig, I felt nervous. So umalis na ako ng bahay at 8 ng umaga to take a train to Cubao, nagmamadali ako, as in nagmamadali talaga. I was supposed to be at Taft at 8:45. T’was easy, I told myself. Wow! half past 8 and I was already there and was shocked with so many people that it was impossible for me to buy a ticket in a minute. Nag-panick na ako, paano kung maiiwan na ako, I don’t even know where Taguig is. Finally, after 15 minutes, I got my ticket, easily when the person in the que was not given a ticket since she was in a wrong line. She was supposed to give an exact fare! Naku, tanga yata ito at nagbigay ng buong limampung piso, naks! fifteen minutes, I should be there already, yet the worst happened, mas marami pa palang pasahero na nag-aabang ng tren sa taas kaysa sa pumipila para bumili ng ticket. sa isip ko lang, “Here I am struggling to get in and be there in the place at exactly 8:45, ayun sapinag-usapan.” Napapa-susmaryusep na ako when one, two, and three trains were able to pass by and yet I was still there standing in the que just on the spot where people alight and get in! A sin ala-sardines in a can ang nangyari, sobra. I told myself that it won’t happen again while I’m her ein MAnila, I don’t want to travel late and early by train. But of course, late na nga ako talaga for the appointment. Finally, sa pang-apat na tren, I was able to get in and another trouble happened. I was so frustrated aagin when I felt that I can’t breathe anymore, siksikan and had to take a good deep breath to relax. Seems I regreted that I was there, standing fixed and wasn’t able to move!. Then I started to panicked when I had a muscle cramp, not on a leg but on my chest!
‘Is it my heart or just my muscles?” Mamamatay na ba ako rito? Kamamatay lang ng lolo ko kahapon ah, ‘tang!
I tried to relax even a little bit, walang pakialaman, Im sure, we were just exchanging breathe with each person sa loob ng tren. But I learned that the air they exhale has percentage of oxygen enough to rescue a person in an emergency situation; thanks to Red Cross training I had last month. Finally, I reach the last station: Taft. I was late for 15 minutes, ayun sa pinag-usapan. the nun was alreday upset yet, I learned that the friar was also late and still at Baclaran Chruch! wowwww, ano ba ito! Nagpa-load ako sa isang cellphone store, and di pa dumating kaagad sa again, ow, another frustrating moment… I was able to meet the friar after 30 minutes. Then, binaybay na namin ang daang ang pangalan ay di ko matandaan. All I can remember was that we passed by Sta. Ana, yung karerahan ng kabayo, then Pasig river, which seems not a river for me, but an open septic tank. Ngayon ko lang napuntahan ang mga lugar na ito; Mandaluyong, DonBosco, and other new strets, i’ve never dreamed na mapupuntahan ko just today. On the way, I was amused or was even sarcastic with a certain vehicle, maybe a toyota car, kaya lang as in luma na talaga, and napatawa while kinalimutan sandali ang frustrations ko that time.
Sasakyan ni manong, Im sure walang papatol sa banggan and habulin na nga ng Coca-Cola para gawing tansan!
Pasensya na ho, at lumalabas ang pagiging pasaway ko, salamat nga pala sa pahintulot na kunan ko kayo ng picture! We reached UST at half past 11, and met the nun at the Jolibee. nagyaya na ako na snacks na muna and we will go. I wondered why we were at UST and there, I learned that we will be visiting the religious houses in New Manila and Quezon City! eh? not Taguig? I thought we are going to meet the president of Islamic Council of the Philippines! No wonder why we were there. Anyway, we have set an appointment with him on November 25. Ok, fine. So Jolibee na muna, but, di aking gastos ito, I cleared it up. Yours truly, the treasurer will charge it to our fund! It’s fine, said the friar. The Juniors-Sisters Forum here in Metro Manila and nearby provinces in the South elected me to be the treasurer for one term. Good life! Is it? Hindi! Story goes on, while holding the map of Metro Manila, asking questions, passing by many new places, had our late lunch at the Piarist Fathers in 9th Street in New Manila. That was 2o’clock already since they were having a local Chapter, Gutom at pagod na talaga ako. We went to Visayas avenue and visited the Augustinians and had another snacks. Now, thats how we live our lives sometimes as religious.
Three of us, a Francisan friar who is the president, an Augustinian Nun, who is the Vice president, and me, the treasurer, were able to visit other congregations’ places to distribute communications for the upcoming “Inter-religious Dialogue” with the Moslem brothers and sisters at Maharlika Village in Taguig this coming 25th of November, together with the President of the Islamic Council of the Philippines. At least, that would be one of our projects this year as Juniors (Simple/temporary professed). We were happy and was able to create another avenue for us to have a simple bonding/being together from different congregations, working together for others.
Personally, I was satisfied with all my experiences today, thoguh quite tired and sleepy. After this, I’m going to pack my things to bring for tomorrows another outing and recollection: baguio trip. I will be absent for how many days and be back with fresh head and heart to write and share here. I might not be able to go online but my companion, a journal notebook and a pen, these faithful servants I have will not fail me to blog, even in a paper…. 
sasha said:
Grabe naman ang experience mo dyan sa LRT! Alam mo kuya, nag-hyperventilate ka lang! Siksikan kasi sobra kaya ganun. Basta isipin mo lagi na kapag metro train, siksikan ang peak hours, ok? Kahit sa MRT ganyan din.
At least masaya pa rin araw mo! Hahaha sa totoo lang, anlayo ng nilakbay mo para makarating sa New Manila! Malapit lang sa amin yan, kuya… heheheh
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cruise said:
haha, at naka face mask pa siya, mukhang maselan si manong, hehe. nice photo
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Ann said:
Are you sure one day lang yan? Parang ang dami nyong nagawa. NGO ba kayo?
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Vince said:
Opo, one day lang, Ann. Yes, NGo dahil di naman related sa government
Tnx nga pala sa pagdaan….
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Vince said:
ey, Cruise, medyo may edad na yung mama kaya dapat nlang na mag-ingat sya, o baka may asthma na rin sya..
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