Proud 2 B a Dread

This was at about 8 pm, 2 days after our arrival. Julia usually needs her mom beside her before she can sleep, but this time she didn’t need anything, except a soft place to lay her head on.

So here are some observations I had while back in Manila, 3 years after leaving:

Traffic

Before I became one, I thought balikbayans were overacting when traveling through Manila’s busy streets again. But, really, the shock was real! I was literally backseat-driving my sister when she was driving us. The Alabang area really was scary when I was a passenger - throngs of people where people shouldn’t be, inches between vehicles you can literally read the newspaper being held by the jeepney driver beside you, gitgitan traffic. Dinugo ang ilong ko literally. Because of this, I was a bit apprehensive when it was my turn to drive, but I discovered it wasn’t so bad when you are the one driving. Quickly, my Manila-driving instincts kicked in, and before you know it, I was expertly cruising EDSA’s rush hour traffic. Unfortunately for JR (Lian’s bro) who was sitting in front, I think his hands became white from clutching the handle. Come to think of it, I enjoyed that drive through EDSA, zigzagging between slow cars, buses, and (OMG! even) sidecars. Been a loooong time being such a goody-two-shoe driver, and sometimes you just need to let the road devil out.

Public Transpo

I noticed buses plying the Makati/EDSA and Las Pinas areas were all new. Well, the drivers are still ugaling bus driver, but I don’t remember seeing the delapidated cockroach-infested buses anymore, and if only for that (and if that is the new rule within Metro Manila), I think Manila progressed by at least 50 years. At least now, if you get hit by a bus, di na makakadagdag ang tetanus sa mga problema mo.

MOA

For a Quiapo-raised boy whose idea of a mall chain is the SM-Isetann-Rempson trio in Carriedo, I think the limit for me is Megamall. MOA is SOOOO huge that between parking the car and finding the SM department store, I already ate up much of my energy reserves. It may be a good place for aimless mall-walking, but not if you have a specific agenda. For that, I think you are better off with, yes, SM Carriedo.

Sidenote 1: I do appreciate the technology behind the parking lights, though. Smart smart smart! If you have yet to see it, there’s a small light above each parking slot - green if available, red if occupied. That way, you just have to scan the lights on the whole floor to see if there is still available parking - no more driving through the whole floor getting dizzy just to find that one vacant parking slot.

Sidenote 2: I guess when you get used to doing pretty much everything yourself, you get surprised by just how much Filipinos get pampered. JR and I had a good laugh about the fact that SM actually employs people to operate the elevators. We are not laughing at the person, no! Just the fact that I guess for a whole shift, his/her world revolves around that very small space. But that should be better than spending the whole day worrying where to get your next meal.

SCTEX

Ok, for the record, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway is a very good idea, that is, until you take one small wrong turn. When properly used, Manila to Concepcion, Tarlac took us about 2 hours. Not using the SCTEX would probably add another 45 minutes to the trip, not to mention maneuvering through a dangerous 2-lane salubungan local highway where you have to expertly time overtaking the tricycle in front of you, or else you might collide head-on with the incoming (read: rumaragasang) provincial bus. What happened when I first used this highway was I misread the signs, and instead of taking the road to Tarlac, I went straight ahead to the road leading to Subic. That one mistake cost us an additional 80 km of travel, as the next exit was about 40 km in Dinalupihan. As the hobbits’ saying goes, short cuts make long delays. Amen.

Not yet done, fate gave us two more curve balls upon arriving in Manila.

Our plane landed at about 1230 AM, and already delayed by one day, our visa appointment with the US Embassy was at 930 AM that same day. So we did not sleep anymore, and arrived at the embassy at about 730 AM. So we went through the usual stuff - long lines, security, etc. I even had to leave my cellphone with a complete stranger, because the embassy doesn’t allow it anymore. Used to be they had a depository inside, but not anymore. Then, when we were already inside, a staff approached us, and asked if Julia is an applicant. I said no, only me, Lian and Justine. She asked who let us in, and we said the lady outside, the one who checked that indeed we had a scheduled interview today. The staff said we had to go back outside and clear it first again with the gate - their first line of defense. Too tired to confront them, we obeyed.

Outside, we saw that the lady who initially cleared us wasn’t there anymore. I can only assume they fired her pronto because of us. Anyway, we approached the other lady left manning the gates, and asked her what is the problem. We explained that Julia is a US citizen, and that we have no one to leave her with. Besides, what security threat does she pose, right? Her response? Classic: “Eh bakit nyo kasi dinalaya yan?” At that point, Lian’s top blew. That’s only one of the few times I’ve seen her really really angry at complete strangers, and the first time I saw her as a lioness protecting her cub. It was understandable - after all the effort we poured into Julia, how dare this woman treat Julia as an object? Parang duming pwedeng iwan saan-saan? Anyway, I kept my cool, and asked Lian to step back, and I dealt with the staff. Eventually, they cleared us. But I hope that woman was the one who got fired, not the one who let us through.

And bad luck didn’t stop there. Fate gave us one last wink before giving us our much needed vacation. See, when my dad petitioned us for an immigrant visa in 1995, we had some problems with our paperwork and stuff, and the petition did not push through. Not denied though, but was put on hold. So when the consul was already interviewing us, I did not expect much questions, because Lian, me and Justine just needed to get our visas restamped, since I already have all the necessary paperwork and approvals. I was expecting something more like just a formality and have them replace the expired visa on our passports. However, at one point, the consul said he just has leave and check something quick, but “quick” took at least ten minutes. Upong getting back to us, his first question was “Did anyone ever petition you for an immigrant visa?” I told him, yes, my current employer. He said, “No, like from your mother or father?” For a moment there, nanlamig ako. Namawis ata lahat ng pwedeng mamawis sa akin! But, confident of my papers, I just told him the truth - yes, my father petitioned us about 10+ years ago. He asked if I knew what’s the current status, and I said no, as far as I know it didn’t push through. And then he just typed and typed and typed into his computer. And then finally, he said “Your visa is approved.” Whew!!!!!!!!!

I will never ride American Airlines again. Ever. Ever ever forever!!

We have been looking forward to our vacation to Manila for the longest time, and at AA’s worst, Lian and I were almost ready to head back to Boston and cancel our vacation. That’s how bad AA treated us on our flight to Manila. Here’s what happened:

Our flight is at about 8 am, so Lian’s parents, JR, Lian, the 2 kids and I left the house at about 5 am. It was a bad day to fly, I know - Boston experienced its first major snowstorm of the year. Once we checked in, the agent informed us that our flight has been canceled! So she gave us two options - be transferred to the 8:20 US Airways flight, land at Laguardia airport after about an hour, and still have enough time to catch a cab to JFK. Even with traffic, she said we can easily catch our connecting flight to Narita, which leaves at about 11:30 am. She also offered us a taxi coupon - she said we just have to present it to the taxi, they will honor it. The other option will be to catch a later AA flight, which she did not suggest because the time between that flight and our connecting flight is “too tight.” So we headed to US Airways, found a long line, and managed to check in. First to check in was Lian, me and the kids. US Airways charged us $120 for excess baggage, because American Airlines did not inform them that we will be flying internationally. From US Airway’s point of view, we were domestic passengers. So, just so we can get on the plane, I paid. When it was time for Lian’s parents and bro to check in, the agent told them that the flight is already full. I dunno how they dealt with the agent, because they told us to go ahead, lest we also miss the airplane.

Once we boarded the airplane, we were made to wait an hour for the 1st officer, who was conveniently late because of the snow storm. Hello?? We were there 3 hours before our flight!!! He couldn’t have anticipated driving slower in snow?? So we waited, knowing the flight will just take an hour - we have ample allowance to make the 1130 flight. How wrong we were! After the 1st officer arrived, we were told we had to go in line for de-icing. So that added another 2 hours. In short, we know we already will miss our 1130 flight. What’s worse, when we landed at Laguardia, the taxis didn’t honor the taxi coupon issued by AA. We had to pay the cab ourselves, and rode to JFK. Once in JFK, we found the dragon-like line for the AA counter. Luckily (and luck was very scarce that day), somebody helped us (tip again!) so skirt the line, and go directly to an AA agent. The AA agent searched and searched for a route to take us to Manila. Initially, he saw a flight going through LA, but because he didn’t know what to do with Julia’s tickets (Julia had no seat of her own, just on lap), when he was already about to take those seats, the seats already were unavailable. Then he found a route going through Singapore, but Singapore requires a certificate that we were vaccinated against yellow fever (I think) within ten days prior to arriving in Singapore. So he cannot route us there. On and on we went, until slowly it dawned on me that our best option is to take the next day’s flight to Narita - and even then just be on stand by (chance passenger). The agent said our flight from Narita to Manila is already confirmed, arriving in Manila at about 1030 pm. We wanted to check into a hotel because of the kids, but we had to be first in line the next day as soon as the counters open at 3 am. So we stayed in JFK, easily one of the least friendliest airports I’ve ever been. Imagine us, a couple with 2 kids, tugging along 3 large baggages and 3 balikbayan boxes. Between the $120 baggage fee, the various tips to several people, our taxi fare, and airport food, our vacation budget was already slashed by a significant amount without ever leaving the US! So there we were, slumped on the floor from about noon until sometime later in the evening when we found a cot/folding bed, provided by the airport. The kids were restless, we were tired, stressed, and wanting to f#&% the sh!* out of AA until their faces are filled with whatever crap they gave us. And finally, at 245 am, there I was already on the line. The agent was not really very helpful, but we got our boarding passes, still without any certainty that we’ll make it.

This is very stressful to remember, but suffice it to say that after more mishaps and unfortunate dealings with AA, we were able to get to the plane to Narita. And when we arrived at Narita, we found out that the AA agent confirmed us for the NEXT DAY flight out of Narita to Manila! AARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!! Luckily, the Japanese guy was very helpful, probably seeing that we look really very harassed, with 2 kids in tow, and saw in our eyes that we cannot take anymore of their sh@^f#%k. He transferred us to Northwest, which has a flight that day, arriving in Manila at about 1130. In short, we made it to Manila - but not after being a$$f#^%ed out of our minds by AA.

You can tell just how angry I am at AA, don’t you?

For a few hundred dollars more, I’d gladly take the more expensive airlines next time. In Amy Winehouse’s words, what kind of fuckery was that?! I hope AA shuts down by 2009. I hope their souls get burned three times over. I hope their eyes get gouged out and sewed back on for every passenger they screw. I hope .. I hope.. I just hope AA dies!

Ok, I’m writing this post just so I remember this day.

I’ve had the worst slip on snow yet - my back and my butt is still shouting (as opposed to screaming) 12 hours after the actual incident. I slipped on the first step of the stairs going down, and my mind was slow to process what happened. I was already down and my back was already screaming before I realized what happened.

I officially really hate winter.

“I’ve abandoned free-market principles to save the free-market system,” Bush told CNN television, saying he had made the decision “to make sure the economy doesn’t collapse.” — W.

Just as he authorized an occupation to liberate a country?

Oooooh, this is precious!!!

From Bloomberg:

Dec. 14 (Bloomberg) — President George W. Bush ducked two shoes thrown at him by a man during a press conference in the Iraqi prime minister’s office to mark the signing of a security agreement.

Bush wasn’t hit by the shoes, which both sailed over his head after they were thrown one after the other. The president shrugged and said “I’m OK” after the incident in Baghdad today. “All I can report is it is a size 10,” Bush said afterwards.

In Arab culture, throwing shoes is a grave show of disrespect. “This is the farewell kiss, you dog,” the man shouted in Arabic.

What, no kitchen sink ?

Pitong tulog na lang, Jollibee na naman

ang araw lulubog, sa Linggo’y mabubusog

sa Chicken Joy manok, at Yumburger bilog!

Yes, after ten thousand years, Manila, we’re almost there! It’s been long - too long, in fact - and we can’t wait to see our lupang sinilangan (well, except Julia). I’ve been listening again to my OPM MP3s to slowly condition myself - the gooey sentimental songs of Regine, Gary, and some of the oldies like Rico J., HotDogs, etc. And even listening sometimes to 89.9 over the net. Anything to remind me that in just a short time, I’ll be smelling again the real world, not the sanitized air of America.

I remember that as soon as we confirmed we were really going home (Feb, I think?), you know what Lian and I immediately discussed? Where we will eat first. Yes, gluttons to the bone. Jollibee was the first to come to our mind. Yes, Jollibee. Busy, noisy, greasy Jollibee. And this time, we promised, we won’t hold back - no more one-piece Chicken Joy meals, or plain hamburger (is it still Php 29?) meals. We’d go easy on the rice (our small contribution to the rice crisis) for sure. Then, we’d go to our then-regular hang-outs: Piadina, Bon Appetit, Via Mare (Lian loves their bibingka, I love their tuyo), Shakey’s, that Japanese resto just before you reach the Greenbelt 2 cinemas, Leslie’s in Tagaytay. Oh, just thinking about the gastronomical possibilities! This will be one Frodo-esque adventure in food. By Chris’ wedding, we’d probably be walking barrels. Good luck to that gown for Lian.

I remember telling this to my sister, and she was surprised that of all the things we’d miss, Jollibee was the first restaurant that came to our mind. I guess she didn’t think that we were that into Aga’s favorite fast food. But I guess deep down, what we really miss about home isn’t merely the food, but the fact that we’re eating our versions of comfort food. If we bite into one of those crispylicious juicy chickens, we know that, at least at that one singular point in time, we are home. Finally.

I hope you were fortunate enough to watch Manny Pacquiao’s last fight. Seeing Manny mature from one fight to the next - that alone was enough for the $50 that HBO charges its customers. I admit that before this fight, I had my doubts - this is Dela Hoya. But I was surprised that it was with this fight that I was not my nervous self.I usually watch with my eyes closed half the time, just waiting for Manny to be hit with just that one shot to floor him. But this time, I felt confident after the 2nd round. It was a complete and masterful domination.

But apart from Manny, there is one other person I look forward to in every fight - the translator/trainer/sidekick (I really don’t know what his job is) that talks to him after every round (apart from Coach). That guy rocks! This time, he reached new lexical heights. I couldn’t forget his ‘nasukat na! nasukat na!’, and ‘WAG NA WAG KA SA LUBID!’, thundering as if he were Moses himself delivering the Ten Commandments. I could only hope Manny sticks with him, so I’ll have more chances of watching - and hearing - him and his colorful, street-tough Tagalog.

Note: I just googled him - and found out he is Buboy Fernandez.