*Face Palm*

So today's been a good day for work. Didn't have much to do aside from the fact that I'm alone in the reception. It's fine by me. I'm used to it now. On my way home after work, my co-worker Rennel was with me since I can drop him off somewhere in EDSA which happens every time we're on the same shift. I was alone driving going to Magallanes when a man in blue shirt and shorts stopped me. Patay. I knew I was in trouble. I tried to remember what I did seconds before. I didn't swerve, cut or whatever. but why??? I'm not even on color coding. It's Wednesday night. I'm pretty sure I can drive on Wednesday night. I pulled over, opened my window and smile to Mr. MMDA person. I even politely asked what's wrong. Then it hit me, I don't have my license plate yet. Apparently there's a No Plate, No Travel policy that's been circulating since Monday which no one told me.. not even my parents. So I panicked. I asked how much will be the penalty. He told me that it's two thousand something (I really don't remember at all) I asked if I can pay it through bank... he said no. and I ask if I can get my license back after the gives me the ticket. He said no. MY MIND WHEN CRAZY. I wanted to hit the gas and get out of there but I know I can't because I'm in the Philippines and it's seven in the evening and I'm in freaking EDSA! I asked the MMDA guy for options. I don't want to get my license confiscated. I don't want to commute to work. ewwwwwww.. So he suggested that I pay their percentage or whatever you call it that's around one thousand five hundred. I told him I don't have money with me. I even show him my wallet that contained less than a five hundred pesos. I can pay him with such amount if I can go to the nearest ATM and withdraw. but the nearest one is in Magallanes.

So what I did.. I called my Father to ask help. He talked to the guy and that's it! I don't know what he told him... maybe I'll ask when he comes home. But after call, the MMDA person let me go. Is my Dad like Chuck Norris or Liam Neeson (in Taken) or something? But the Enforcer did ask some money ... extortion huh? I know. I could've called the police to report but nahhhh... I don't want to be in the news. and besides, the mere fact that he pulled me over was a huge hassle for me. I'm tired, I'm hungry, I'm sleepy. I have no time to explain that I don't have my license plate because the LTO cannot issue one as of the moment.

I just need to rest.

all of that drama could have been avoided if I showed this letter.

and maybe.. just maybe... I'm not making this senseless story anymore! 

I am sorry to waste your time. 

Good night, I have a sleep to catch. 

Driving 101.

Wish ko lang sana lahat ng kalsada sa Metro Manila
ay kasing luwag ng SLEX tuwing 3 AM. 

Hindi naman talaga ako dapat nagmamaneho. Lapitin ako sa disgrasya, kakasero at higit sa lahat, tamad. Ayokong magdala ng sasakyan sa trabaho, mahal ang parking at mahal ang gas. Pero isang beses, na-snatch yung ipod na dala ko. Nasama narin pati yung name badge ko sa airport. Isinumpa ko yung kumuha nun. Wala na sana siyang bayag ngayon. Simula nung nangyari yun, hindi na ulit ako sumasakay sa pampublikong sasakyan (maliban nalang kung wala talaga akong choice.) Magulang ko parin ang nagbabayad ng pang-gas ko. medyo nakakahiya na nga e. kung iisipin, kapag ako ang nagbayad ng gas ko, wala ng matitira sa pangkain ko araw araw. Gasolina palang, ubos na. :(

Marami narin akong natutunan sa pagmamaneho. Na-master ko na ang magpark ng patalikod, parallel parking, makipag sabayan sa mga 10-wheeler na truck sa EDSA, mandarag ng mga tangang mamamayan na hindi alam kung saan ang tamang pedestrian lane. Kung hindi lang kasalanan ang pumatay, malamang marami na akong nasagasaan. Nakatulong pa ako sa over-population ng bansa natin.

Isa-isahin nalang natin yung natutunan ko.

• Huwag mag-drive ng inaantok/lasing/kinakabag/dina-diarrhea. 
• Iwasang makipag-unahan sa jeep. Makabangga ka man o mabangga ng jeep, ikaw parin ang talo. Wala kase silang pambayad sa fender mo. :( 
• Iwasang mag-yosi sa sasakyan/magdrive na bukas ang bintana. Mamaya wala na yung relos o singsing na suot mo. much worse, wala ka na palang kamay. 
• Makukulit yung mga Badjao na nanlilimos sa Sucat. (minsan para tumigil sila, nakikipagtitigan nalang ako. iniisip siguro nila mukha akong tanga.)
• Mas maigi nalang mag-Skyway kapag may bagyo. 
• Walang lugar sa Metro Manila ang hindi trapik. 
• Don't text and drive. Mahirap kaya yon! baka mawrong send ka pa. 
• Matutong gumamit ng busina. Karamihan sa mga Pilipino tanga. ginagamitan mo na nga ng yield/bliker (basta yung ilaw.) ayaw parin paawat. 
• Wag makisabay sa mga kaskaserong driver. Wala ka lang mapapala. Masasayang lang ang gas mo. 
• Kapag babae na nagmamaneho, dinadarag nila. Sorry... lalaki ako magdrive. 

At ang pinaka importante, Habaan ang pasensya sa daan. Madaming hayop sa kalsada, intindihin mo nalang. 

Safe Driving!