Once Upon a Time in Baclaran

Once upon a time...(ooopps...sounds like a cinderella story huh :D )...there was me and my friends went to Baclaran church to attend a mass and eventually after that may have some things to buy for ourselves. Baclaran is one of the most visited place in Metro Manila, not only because of the well-known Baclaran Church, the home of Our Mother of Perpetual Help but also because it has the number of dry goods and flea markets (tiangge) surrounding it where we could buy anything from clothes, electronics, home decors and traditional medicines at very affordable prices. Wednesday is Baclaran day meaning if we will go there on that day of the week, we could witness a huge crowd gathering there to attend the mass. Trivia: once you visit a church for the first time, it is said that before you go inside, you must utter a wish and that wish will come true. In my four (4) years of stay in Manila, it is a shame to tell that it was my first time to visit the church. I've been hearing it since my elementary years and yet I could not get a time going there. The reasons, I don't know how to get there, I don't know where it is located exactly and I can't convince someone to accompany me. Going in a place solo is not fun and I am confessing that sometimes I am afraid to go somewhere I am not used to know without anyone beside me. Due to traffic jam, we are late for the last mass that morning. We arrived at the church at exactly 15 minutes before it ends. We spent an hour inside the church, wondered and amazed on how big it was, dreaming to walk on that long aisle wearing a white gown and someone was waiting for you on the altar. Now that was what we call day dreaming. hehehe.

Anyway, to continue the story. An hour later, we are one of the crowds looking for something to buy. Like in Divisoria, Baclaran is a noisy place. You could hear a lot of music loud playing on the background and sometimes we could not stop ourselves to slightly dance on the music. There was this small stall selling slippers and managed by an old lady. While waiting for one of our colleagues buying staff for herself, we stand in front of that stall, slighty dancing and heard the old lady says "Hey, stop dancing in front of my goods, if you want to dance, go there on the middle of the road!" Aw, that was rude or do we really have the mistakes. Our next stop is in stalls of sunglasses. No funny moments there. Next is on RTW shirts. We spent almost an hour picking and buying but upon looking on the face and hearing the voice of the seller, I could say she's pissed of. Why again? Oh Oh I really don't know. Next stop, just looking, wondering on the beauty of the dress selling by an old man. We asked on how much it cost, hold the item for a second then decided we are not going to buy it. We said our thank you and leave the stall then heard the old man say "You four ladies, looking on my goods yet you are not going to buy! Go home!" Ouch again, watta attitude? We can't really explain. We are customers and as far as I know "Customers are always right." But on that experience, I am afraid I can't really go there alone. People are not that hospitable or maybe we are totally not lucky that day. What an experience but I could say at the end of that day, exhausted but enjoyed and satisfied.

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I Belonged to the Group?!?

I used to go home every weekend for me to spend my weekdays with my family. Mom always expect me to be home during that days of the week. Having a job far from our home, I feel always excited about it. TGIF and TGIS are my expressions when Fridays and Saturdays come. I have this one experience that I couldn't forget and always leave me smiling when I think of it. Here it goes:

One time, when I was riding in a bus on my way home, the conductor (the one who gives ticket and collects fare from passengers) gave me my fare ticket. I usually read the amount first before I put it on the pocket of my bag even though I know it is the same amount as my previous ride. Habit I think, which is good though. It happens that day that the amount on my ticket is cheaper than the previous week.

First thing that comes my mind is to ask the ticketing man if the amount on my ticket was right but hesitated for a second but decided to ask. That time, I don't know why is it too noisy on the bus that when I asked about my ticket I almost didn't hear the explanation. It takes time before it sank in my mind. He said, "We have a promo Mam, and since our passengers are almost senor citizens, all the passengers of this bus will be having a senor citizens discount." It is when I noticed that the passengers are 90% senor citizens. I thought again that maybe I have the mistake of not reading the sign board. Maybe the bus I was riding are for them. And then, the old lady beside me told me, "You must not have asked, are you not happy that your fare is 20% off?" I smiled at her and didn't answer. I should be happy but I have to ask. "Honesty is the best policy" after all. I laughed at myself. Lucky me for having a 20% discount on my fare and poor me that at my age (25) I belong to senor citizens group that day. I am thankful though.

Well, that's life, always full of surprises, isn't it? The most important thing for me is that I have the time to be thankful for everyday that was given me.

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Card Payment and WIFI on Board

I am a weekly passenger of buses from Manila to Batangas and vice versa. In my first year on job, I am lucky to have my first credit card. At first I think it is better than having a cash on hand, somehow, nobody can steal it and use it immediately since this kind of payment were only accepted on malls. But nowadays, it is not safe. By the time credit cards are starting to bloom here in the Philippines, I thought of credit card payment on buses. I don't even think of making it possible. My habbit while I am sitting and waiting for the bus to leave is to observe the surroundings. One time I spotted the banner on the other side of the road and shocked to what I've seen. Credit card payments are soon to be accepted plus WIFI on board. Whew, I think when I ride the buses having this WIFI facility, I don't want to go home. haha. I am paying 50 pesos a day just to have an internet at home.

Proof that our country is not behind the technologies. People are also adjusting with this modern facilities and we cannot deny the fact that internet and credit cards are important. :D

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