Before hitting the sacks last night, I entered 6:15 am at loudest tone volume in my nifty cellphone’s alarm. I needed to get up early for work, since the later half of the next day will be spent “chasing libertad” ( read: DFA Appointment for Passport). I plan on doing much of my day’s work in the morning, not to shy away from my Friday deadline. Fast forward the next morning and it’s Thursday once again. The day of transition between the week’s slump and T.G.I.F.
After the usual morning rituals, fooling around with my puppy askal Chinita and farming all the requirements and necessary documents, I’m off my way to Red Ribbon Sucat Road, where I take my daily shuttle cruise to Makati. It was a nice day, and a nice trip, seating in the third row, extreme left on the window side. The airconditioning’s fine from my vantage point, unfortunately the guys at my back weren’t equally blessed. A mere 30 minute ride, I arrived right on the money for my E.T.A.
Near my touchdown point at the de La Rosa Street and Paseo de Roxas intersection, the legal unloading area nearest my building, the van’s receiver went berzerk. Loud warnings of something in the works near my drop off point howled the frequency. Since shuttle drivers use their own two-way radio vocabulary, I didn’t understand much of the dialog. After a few seconds, the situation there was revealed. We were pulled over by men in blue, I went down and crossed the street, lit a cigarrette and picked my phone out the pocket. Stealthily pointing to the scene, I shot pictures of what would become the captions for today’s edition of “T.I.T.S.” ( Today in the Streets).
Shuttle Vehicles being pulled over one by one.
Men In Blue: This is our Turf. Succumb to the Hands of the LAW.
” Colorum” - Tawag sa pampasaherong dyip, bus o taksi na hindi lisenyado o rehistrado {unlicensed or unregistered public utility vehicle}
Halimbawa: ang daming nahuling mga colorum na nakaparada sa kanto
~Copongcopong’ Pinoy Slang Dictionary
Today’s Bountiful Catch.
Ang aga ng tawaran sa palengke..
It’s hard to question the legality of colorum operations. I believe MMDA spearheaded this campaign, as to clear the roads of PUV’s in order to mimimize metropolitan traffic. However, Makati is not within MMDA’s jurisdiction, that’s the last time i’ve heard. If LTFRB is the one cracking down on this issue, I isn’t it a bit too late, or inappropriate? Everyone who takes the shuttle to work everyday will admit that these services are actually, in a way helping the economy move forward. Although more of an option for convenience, for a commuter’s standpoint, shuttles are the more likely choice in this day and age. I think this area of transportation deserves better laws, and more comprehensiveness at that. Slightly hire fares and occasional raids are okay, as long as we won’t go back to the age when ruined hair and sweaty underarms compliment our morning business attires.
I am unusually early today. I wish I can get used to it.
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