Monday, January 2, 2012

Of Speed and Reckless Drivers


photo courtesy of http://wn.com/commonwealth_of_the_philippines
photo courtesy of MonteMayor via Flickr
On the first day of the New Year, 2012, my wife received an invitation from a family friend up in Antipolo, to come over for lunch. I happened to have just attended Mass at St. Peter's Parish (which will soon become a Shrine) when I learned of the news. Since it was great news for the kids, I happily consented. We were a large group of 7 adults and 7 kids (including a 2-months old baby). It was a trip taken at the spur of the moment – which comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Still, the majority relished at the thought of going to Antipolo, much more, have lunch for free, since it was the first time for some to go up to the home of Hinulugang Taktak. The group trekked to the jeepney terminal at the back of Commonwealth Market to get to Antipolo via Sta. Lucia East, Cainta. As a family, we usually take another route: from Farmers' Cubao, there's an FX terminal going to Antipolo. It was a welcome trip to take this route from Commonwealth Market – and it was much shorter than our trip from Cubao, and cheaper too. Upon arrival at Sta. Lucia East (near the overpass), we took another jeep plying the Antipolo – Simbahan route. Along the way, we occupied ourselves in colorful banter, as the kids dozed off one by one. Once in Antipolo, we hailed two tricycles to Barangay San Roque, in one of its posh subdivisions. True enough, our first-timers in Antipolo heaved ooohs and ahhhs at the picturesque setting, the greens and mountains overlooking the stately homes and elegant sights. By the time we arrived at our host's residence, it was past one o'clock. We were treated to salads, crabs, pork liempo, chicken, and unlimited pitchers of juice and San Mig Light. It was quite some time since our family had our last visit so we didn't notice it was past five when we decided to say goodbye. The trip back home was quite the opposite of our lunch ride: it took long for us to get a jeep that will take us to Sta. Lucia east. There were only a handful of PUJs going to Cubao and Sta. Lucia. When we did get one, we didn't expect riding a bullet train. What is it with young drivers these days? Is it the need for speed? the high? Even at the expense of unsuspecting passengers? One of the passengers, an elderly lady, told the driver to slow down, because we were traveling dangerously fast. Then, bog! Our PUJ hit a SUV. Instead of slowing down, the driver made a run for it, intending to elude the SUV. But the other car proved to be faster and blocked our path. Our PUJ was forced to stop. It was a scene waiting to happen: a reckless driver, unmindful of the risk and danger to life, hitting another car by accident. Most of those who haven't paid yet, went out to flag another PUJ. We asked for a refund of the remaining trip to Sta. Lucia East. What made matters worse was, the jeepney conductor was too arrogant and callous to apologize and admit that the driver was reckless, endangering the lives of his passengers, almost half of whom are kids and toddlers. So, if you intend to go to Antipolo, make sure the PUJ's plate number is not PYE 841. Unless you're looking for danger, or the need for speed.

1 comment:

Gina Gao said...

really like your blog.

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