Great solutions to MRT problems (if only they weren't illegal)

Almost everyday now, I've been riding the Metrostar Express (better known as MRT), and I've encountered quite a lot of annoying things about it. Anyway, here are some of these problems and how I, if I had my way, would address them.

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One of the instances that I have a hard time with MRTs is when I'm waiting for the train. People don't line up properly. They line up horizontally and blatantly stand infront of you even if you were there first. I've often found myself, during these moments, relating with the punks in New York who push people to the tracks in the subway as trains come in. If I was a congressman, I'd make a law giving folks who line up properly the right to do just this. In any case, I don't think I'm the only one who thinks that line-cutting is a crime punishable by death.

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Another irritating thing is when I'm waiting for the train doors to open and then people start pushing us infront towards the train. It wasn't just one time when I got pinned to the side of the train (right beside the door). This really pisses me off. It's like being stampeded on, except that I'm being crushed upright. Argh! It ticks me off just thinking about it. Anyhow, the last time people did this to me, I found a very effective counter to this ( and I discovered this purely out of instinct). Just as I hit the side of the train, I turned and glared at the people pushing me from behind, and I matched it with a very malutong na "P*@!!!** Ina!!" I never imagined how well this actually works. The idiots actually backed off and let me through the door. This is a very effective technique although there are some things that need to be noted when doing this. First, you have to turn just like Zoolander when he does the Magnum look. And second, you have to make sure that when you glare, there should be a whipping sound coming out of nowhere.

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The last two problems are very related to each other, therefore, their solutions are connected as well. The first of these two is overcrowding especially during the rush hours. It can get so crowded that I don't even need to hold onto anything while the train runs. I could faint and still remain on my feet. Not far behind when there is overcrowding is the second of these problems --- smelly people. Smelly people I can tolerate, but smelly people in the MRT with me is something else. I make it a point to check myself right before I ride the train, and I'm usually successful with maintaining my freshness despite the long commute. This is why I find myself a little more than annoyed with people who don't bother to freshen up before riding an airconditioned train. It's bad enough my legs are tired from standing in a crowded train, they have to make it worse by making the air unbreathable. What's even worse is when I'm standing beside a woman (it doesn't matter if she's cute or not. although it's worse if she's cute) and then there's someone near me who seems like he bathed in vinegar and patis. His stink reaches the woman beside me and, even if I know I'm still Rexona-fresh, she doesn't so she mgiht think I'm the one who smells. Anyway, my solution to both these problems of overcrowding and smelliness, aside from handing out gas masks to everyone, is to follow what's being done with MRT's older brother, the LRT. In LRTs these days, men and women and separated into different train cars, which lessens the chances of tsansing (that is, until the gay population gets wind of this) . My proposal now is, like in LRTs, that we segregate people in MRTs. This time though, we make the smelly people ride in a separate part of the train. This isn't something new actually. Airports and restaurants (and even schools such as Ateneo) have been doing something like this for a long time now. They call this practice "smoking areas". MRT smelly sections is just a variation, as we are also just isolating the sources of air pollution (Given this thought, perhaps we should also ask smokers to move to the smelly section). Don't think that this is discrimination. This is actually good for smelly people because having other smelly people around them shows them that they're not alone. They would then find a support group of people who share the same problem, kinda like Alcoholics Anonymous. On a final note, this segregation scheme could actually still be improved in one more way. The smelly section car could be rigged to have a trap door on its floor. When the trap door opens, all the smelly people will plunge to their death in EDSA. This is an ingenious plan because, not only will there be less smelly people riding MRTs, but the MRTs will be less crowded next time, thereby solving two problems at the same time.

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I really do feel passionate about these ideas. This proves two things: First, solving life's problems is very simple; and second, whoever invented human rights obviously never rode the MRT before.

a star is born

I am destined for stardom. I am sooooooooo sure of it. The signs are all here.

I didn't realize, until recently that I had so much musical talent. I found that I sing and play guitar well. And what's more cool is that --- I can sing AND play guitar at the same time. The only thing that was really keeping me from tapping into this hidden spring of artictic skill was the mistaken belief that my performances were only supposed to be reserved for the shower.

I first discovered this talent only three years ago. I was coming from a heartbreak and I had so much emotion I needed to let out. It was then that playing guitar and composing songs became my outlet. (Side note: What I realized from this is that the stupider the songs I compose, the more fun I have. I guess that's why I love Parokya Ni Edgrar so much. I have all of their albums... but that's beside the point). It felt good and it felt right to make music. The more often I played, the keener my ear for music got. What I didn't realize then was that, with the improvement of my listening came the improvement of my singing. I was starting to really sing and play.

After this, opportunities for me to perform started presenting themselves to me. There was this time that I was asked (on the spot) to sing and play in one of the conferences I coordinated. It was the first time I got to perform with a band backing me up. There were also lots of other times I got to play solo. It's so fun to play for people. I guess, in a sense, I can relate with the people on TV or on stage. There is just this energy up there that I can't explain.

These days, I've become a little more proactive with my performances. I've now been able to drag my friends into this. One time, my friends Ian, Tonichi, Allan, and I went to Dencio's Restaurant in Capitol Hills. First, we bought ourselves a round of beer, the purpose of which is to take away the restaurant's right to throw us out after what we were about to do next. Right there on our table, Tonichi brought out his bonggo drums and I took out my guitar, and all of us started to have a concert. Although we had some alcohol, our singing wasn't the kind you'll hear from drunk men walking on the streets at night. No, there was blending and there was soul. Too bad I'm nearsighted because I wanted to see if the chicks on the other table were checking me out (Now that I think about it, that's actually a great way to meet chicks. Start playing a few songs then ask them if they'd like to make a request, or better, if they'd like to sing while I play... the guitar, not with them. But that's not a bad idea also). Audience participation is always good. I asked the waitress if she wanted to sing, but she just smiled and never came back to our table.

Last night was probably my best performance ever. I took my sister Janis out to Papa Jek's restaurant. It was her birthday. Anyway, I asked the band if I could jam with them and they let me. I sang and played "Wherever You Will Go" and "Bongga Ka Day", which I dedicated to my sister. The songs weren't randomly picked. The first was a goodbye song cuz I was leaving Manila soon and the other was because Janis is ...well.. bongga. The girl vocalist said she thinks I'm sweet and cute for what I did. She kept on pinching my cheeks like a baby while I was singing. I think she has a crush on me. Too bad though cuz she's not my type. Janis said I really sounded nice on stage. It's like watching Alex Bann perform, but with your eyes closed. I believe my sister. She wouldn't just tell me that just to make me feel good. She's honest, and she doesn't see me with motherly eyes.

I've been taking bolder and bolder steps now with regard to my musical career. I wonder how far I'll get. Now that I think about it, I have the makings of a star. I've got the looks, the wit, the confidence, and most importantly, the talent to be a great performer. Maybe I'll take the next inevitable step now --- forming myself a band. I can think of band names already: The Ron Lorenzo Band, Patatas Experience (PX for short), or P3, short for Pure Patatas Power (in honor of my brother who looks like a potato).

Wow! I'm on a roll. No sense stopping now. Watch out world! A star is born.

I am Fuuchouin Kadsuki

I just took an online test about which Getbackers character I am most alike. The verdict is:

Which GetBackers Character Are You?

According to the test, I am similar to Kadsuki in that I am compassionate, loyal, and would do anything to help my friends. Iam also cheerful and excellent company, and although it’s likely that I have only a small circle of friends, who are very close to me indeed. Like Kadsuki, I'm very resourceful, and can easily overcome any situation with a creative flair. Nevertheless, I should stand up for myself more and not let my kind outlook on life allow other people to push me around.

I'm ok with the results. Kadsuki and I do have a lot in common, especially the fact that I've been mistaken for a girl quite a few times in my life (especially when I had very long hair). I admit, I do have a feminine appeal to me, which when utilized properly, can be very attractive (to women, ok? to women!) .

I've always thought of myself more as an Amano Ginji, cheerful but tough, clumsy but strong, nice but with quite an electric personality, and open yet with a very mysterious past. (Note to self: It's never too late to create a mysterious and shady past)

Jeepney Trivia

I had a short chat with a jeepney driver a while ago and I found out some interesting things about jeepney driving.

1. In one day, a jeepney driver gets to do 7 back and forth trips (This particular jeepney driver's daily route is from Fairview to Delta/Quezon Avenue corner Timog. I'm assuming though that all jeepney drivers drive more or less the same distance per route). 8 trips are possible but the driver would have to skip all breaks except for lunch time.

2. Each one-way trip earns a driver around PhP 150.00 (For those of you who are mathematically-challenged, that means it's PhP 300.00 per round trip). The driver has to pay for lots of things though during the day, such as meals, gas, yosi, and Stork. Aside from this, there is a boundary of PhP 750.00 per day (For those of you who don't ride jeepneys for one reason or another, a boundary is the rental fee that the driver pays to the owner of jeepney. Yes, most jeepney drivers don't own the vehicles they drive. That perhaps explains their fearless urban driving skills). So by the end of the day, after all these expenses, a jeepney driver is left with around PhP 300.00 to PhP 400.00. (Hmmmm. That's not too far from what I'm earning from my work right now. Maybe I should consider a shift to a blue-collar career. I mean, the perks of driving all day and eating lots of Stork is very tempting). I wonder how jeepney drivers can feed their families with earnings that little.

We had a nice short chat. Sayang lang talaga at hindi ko siya natanong kung totoo ba na basta driver, sweet lover.

My take on the Mindanao conflict

Conflict cannot be avoided as there will always be differences between people. Because we are all diverse as human beings, everyone (from individuals to races, religions, and nations) will not agree all the time in terms of beliefs, preferences, and opinions. Conflict will always be there. It is in how we handle conflict when it arises that makes the biggest difference.

In the case of the Philippines, we have become accustomed to seeing one way that conflict is addressed --- through coercion. It is a win-lose if not a lose-lose solution. It is basically a clash of power wherein the goal is to exert one’s will over the other. True dialogue becomes really difficult in this scenario as the parties involved are not open to listen and have a compromise with each other. With this, anger, resentment, and hate are bred because the other side’s needs have seemingly been disregarded. Sadly, both the Philippine government and the Filipino separatist groups are guilty of this. For so long now, this has been the main tool for addressing conflict, and it has not brought us far, if anywhere forward at all. I believe coercion does not really work in the long run as this just creates a vicious cycle of violence. This is where I see our country is right now, inside this vicious cycle. One side hurts the other, and the other hurts back. The bitter feelings are left unresolved so both sides continue to bring harm to one another.

In this light, I propose another path that can be taken, a path that ends this cycle of violence. This is Forgiveness. Simply put, it is saying “I recognize that this cycle only really hurts me. I now decide that this cycle stops with me. I let go of all anger, resentment, and hate.” It is such a simple answer yet, perhaps for all of us, it is probably the hardest thing to do. This is why forgiveness is a process. It takes time, especially if the emotional and physical wounds are deep and have been present for a long time. However, I believe this is the best way to go. Let us note that people who do not hold bitter feelings inside have no need for violence. Furthermore, it will only be after one has forgiven that tolerance and acceptance of each other can begin. Perhaps after this, both the insurgents and the government will see that they do not need to agree of even like each other for all of us to coexist. They would learn to forgive each other, firstly for hurting one another in the past, and secondly, for being different from one another. Forgiveness, thereby is the first crucial step in the healing of our country.

Given all that was said about forgiveness, what can we do now? The following are some points that we can consider about helping the parties with this process: Firstly, provide them a venue to air out their grievances with one another. Help them voice out and release (in a nonviolent way) a lot of the pent-up emotions they hold inside Also, give them opportunities (such as workshops and seminars) to look into themselves and recognize the negative perceptions they have about themselves. I wager that most of the violent behavior they exhibit to others are results of their anger towards themselves. When they have identified their own negativities that is when we can show them the importance of forgiveness and assist them with the process. I know that this may sound like a tedious and seemingly large effort, but we do not need to start big. We can begin from a small group then work our way from there. Yes, this will take time, but this way can last because we slowly but surely change how people think. Slowly but surely we create a culture that forgives, and a forgiving culture is a culture of peace.

I said a while ago that conflict will always be there, but I want to add something else to that thought. Conflicts will always arise, but these do not need to last. Differences will always be there, but we can choose to forgive each other’s differences Forgiveness lets us be free to see what we all have in common --- we all want a life of love and peace. The cycle can end now. So what are we waiting for?