The feelipino spirit

The inspiration from this post was brought about when i bought gulaman near the market.  A simple exchange of salamat made me look back at the moments when i was proud to be a Filipino.

Me: Salamat po.

Vendor: Salamat, din.

You would expect a you're welcome or an equivalent or a counterpart in Tagalog. It wasn't a new exchange to me because i've done the same thing too to other people.

No nation would wan't to be labeled negatively, rather they would just want promote certain values like every proud country. Filipinos have been often tagged as hospitable, cheerful, problem-free, resourceful, family-oriented, flexible, creative, talented and the list goes on. Pero naiinis ako kapag may naaalalang counter-examples o panahon na mapapamura ka. Kaya't hindi madaling malarawan ang kabuuan ng mga Pilipino.

The Jeepney culture has been on my mind for several years already. I admire the countless and endless episodes that happen inside the no-longer-American vehicle.

Here's the first season:
1. Passing the fare to the driver. It really requires effort to do this, especially if you're the passenger situated just behind the driver (actually, from experience, its the second person from the driver who regularly hands down the payment - on a filled up jeep). It goes the same when you're with a single person on opposite sides. If you're the guy or the younger fellow, it'll be you who'll be dragging your arse all the way.

Feel ko: Feel ko mas maginhawa ang buhay kapag marunong magtiyempo ng bayad yung mga tao. Tipong, hindi ipagsasabay lahat ng bayad, lalo na kung papel yung binabayad. Marunong dapat makiramdam yung mga tao kung kelan dapat iaabot yung bayad para di mahirapan yung mga nagpapasa, at si Manong. Gagana lalo na kapag sa terminal ka sumakay at saglit lang puno na. Heto na ang mga bayad!

2. Where you goin? It's not yet your stop! On my part, it takes confidence and a roaring moral spirit to guide first time or lost passengers. When people overhear the conversation of said passenger and driver, they sometimes pitch in their answers and guidance, especially when the driver is wrong or is unaware of such places & means of getting there.

Feel ko: Maliban sa dapat alam ng manlalakbay kung saan at paano darating sa pupuntahan, marunong din siya magtanong at mangulit! Medyo may-ugnay din sa #2: kapag may gustong humabol pero paandar na si manong at nakita mo ang taong ito. Mahirap sa bahagi mo lalo na kapag dama mo na pabilis ang takbo ng dyip. Para dito, dapat makiramdam yung mga nais sumakay sa body language ng jeepney. Para hindi hassle sa taong nasa dulo na matataranta ( o sa mga tulad ko)

3.Carry on! Whether it be a child, or bayongs of perishables, people of the Jeepney always lend their hands in assisting the people who ride. It's a mini-bayanihan thing inside public transportation.

Feel ko: Siguro para nalang sa bata na hindi alam kung saan uupo: BATA, UMUPO KA KAAGAD. SUSUNOD NAMAN SI TATAY O SI MOMMY. Sa buhay mag-aaral, hindi mo maiwasan magdala ng napakarami o napakalaking mga gamit papunta sa paaralan. Sana marunong umunawa ang mga taong nasa bungad, lalo na't kung masagi o mabangga sila ng proyekto ni Junior.

Jeepnicles to be continued! Masaya kasi ang kwentong dyipni.

However, i wouldn't be all praise for this race, and this will be highlighted in another blog entry.