SO THIS writer decided to join the bandwagon of Filipinos who are on exodus to the ever illusive greener pasture and jumped at the opportunity to try her luck abroad. It was one of those impulsive but well-thought of decisions that this girl is notorious of doing (or so she'd like to think).
But the minute she got off the bus in the country's metropolitan, there was this huge part of her that wanted to board the next ride headed back to the mountains. She knew it was more or less saying goodbye to the comfort and security being offered by the mountain ranges which she had called home since time immemorial. Though she studied and worked in the urban for long periods of time, it was undeniable that she is a true-blue 'probinsyana'. Thus she knew that aside from the obvious truth of the 'there's no place like home' mantra, the next step she would take away from the terminal (which is seemingly the safest place as of the moment) would mean exposing herself to the alien world of unknown hazards and possible deathtraps.
But the minute she got off the bus in the country's metropolitan, there was this huge part of her that wanted to board the next ride headed back to the mountains. She knew it was more or less saying goodbye to the comfort and security being offered by the mountain ranges which she had called home since time immemorial. Though she studied and worked in the urban for long periods of time, it was undeniable that she is a true-blue 'probinsyana'. Thus she knew that aside from the obvious truth of the 'there's no place like home' mantra, the next step she would take away from the terminal (which is seemingly the safest place as of the moment) would mean exposing herself to the alien world of unknown hazards and possible deathtraps.
She took everything as a sign, that every negative encounter with all those strangers around her was a telltale indicator that it's but right and normal that she gets cold feet and ran back to the reclusive mountains.
Sign No. 1. Lugging her humongous trunks to the cab waiting area while the bus conductor was oblivious to her strained efforts, it dawned on her that Filipino chivalry is so lost at that very place. So much for gentlemanly selflessness. Anyway, her thoughts were, if her fellow 'kabayans' were this insensible, what are the chances that those from other countries would be different, at least in this scenario.
Sign No. 2. After an eternal waiting for a cab (as there was no concept of first who waits gets to ride first), the resident terminal 'kargador' goes head on and carries your bags to the waiting taxi despite protests that you can handle it yourself. He proves to be deaf to your commands as he continues to load them to the cab trunk. So for seconds of voluntary service (sarcasm inserted) where this guy valiantly carries your luggages for a distance that falls short of a meter, you are obliged to pay a sum of 50 pesos to the 'gentleman'. Yes, make it 50 pesos otherwise you'll get cussed for being such a cheapskate.
Sign No. 3. Being dubbed as one of the worst airports nationwide didn't jerk NAIA to its senses to make its services and system better and more efficient. Though airports are known as truly stressful places, make ours triple the stress and anxiety. And I don't need to mention these what-have-yous being undergone behind those cubicles just so you get past security and interrogation passages hassle-free.
These are just among the numerous flukes being encountered for the first leg of the journey. You probably know better and more of these ridiculous goings-on that occur in similar situations.
But then again, the moment that plane taxis off and you ascend above those clouds of home, you know, despite self-denials that no amount of 'green' could equate to being where your heart truly is. You know that you'd rather experience dead chivalry, insistent 'kargadors' and outrageous airport protocol any day than work your butt away from your safe haven in the mountains back home.
So yes, in the end, you still say, 'onli in da Pilipins', only in a positive tone this time around.
Sign No. 1. Lugging her humongous trunks to the cab waiting area while the bus conductor was oblivious to her strained efforts, it dawned on her that Filipino chivalry is so lost at that very place. So much for gentlemanly selflessness. Anyway, her thoughts were, if her fellow 'kabayans' were this insensible, what are the chances that those from other countries would be different, at least in this scenario.
Sign No. 2. After an eternal waiting for a cab (as there was no concept of first who waits gets to ride first), the resident terminal 'kargador' goes head on and carries your bags to the waiting taxi despite protests that you can handle it yourself. He proves to be deaf to your commands as he continues to load them to the cab trunk. So for seconds of voluntary service (sarcasm inserted) where this guy valiantly carries your luggages for a distance that falls short of a meter, you are obliged to pay a sum of 50 pesos to the 'gentleman'. Yes, make it 50 pesos otherwise you'll get cussed for being such a cheapskate.
Sign No. 3. Being dubbed as one of the worst airports nationwide didn't jerk NAIA to its senses to make its services and system better and more efficient. Though airports are known as truly stressful places, make ours triple the stress and anxiety. And I don't need to mention these what-have-yous being undergone behind those cubicles just so you get past security and interrogation passages hassle-free.
These are just among the numerous flukes being encountered for the first leg of the journey. You probably know better and more of these ridiculous goings-on that occur in similar situations.
But then again, the moment that plane taxis off and you ascend above those clouds of home, you know, despite self-denials that no amount of 'green' could equate to being where your heart truly is. You know that you'd rather experience dead chivalry, insistent 'kargadors' and outrageous airport protocol any day than work your butt away from your safe haven in the mountains back home.
So yes, in the end, you still say, 'onli in da Pilipins', only in a positive tone this time around.