The trip this morning was uneventful. Slow and without incident.
Passengers in the FX I took were in their own world. In the rear seat of the AUV, one passenger was sleeping, another is chatting via SMS, and the only girl in our section is staring out the window.
It was a quiet ride.
Showing posts with label fx. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fx. Show all posts
Monday, November 8, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Work demands and old officemates
On my way to the office this morning, I over heard two passengers sharing some thoughts about their respective offices.
I sat in the middle seat of the public utility transport. Behind my section are four other passengers, two on each side facing the other two. The persons talking are in that rear section. One is behind me facing her friend who is seated behind the person at the opposite end of the four-seater middle section that is facing forward where I am seated.
One girl shared that "if you do what needs to be done, they won't bother you" and "it (workload)will all depend on the client. One client has lots of branches (sic) they have a lot to do."
The other agreed and shared "one of our clients pulled out."
I cannot really discern from which offices they work for but it appears to me they are account executives.
One of them later added "he is old and we call him grandpa. He is nearing retirement and he said he will work on his garden when he retires" and ended with "there are a lot of old people in our office."
Her friend behind me shared "it seems that your office is full of senior employees nearing retirement."
They did not mean anything negative about their senior co-workers but they might be wondering if they will feel the same when they get to that age.
I sat in the middle seat of the public utility transport. Behind my section are four other passengers, two on each side facing the other two. The persons talking are in that rear section. One is behind me facing her friend who is seated behind the person at the opposite end of the four-seater middle section that is facing forward where I am seated.
One girl shared that "if you do what needs to be done, they won't bother you" and "it (workload)will all depend on the client. One client has lots of branches (sic) they have a lot to do."
The other agreed and shared "one of our clients pulled out."
I cannot really discern from which offices they work for but it appears to me they are account executives.
One of them later added "he is old and we call him grandpa. He is nearing retirement and he said he will work on his garden when he retires" and ended with "there are a lot of old people in our office."
Her friend behind me shared "it seems that your office is full of senior employees nearing retirement."
They did not mean anything negative about their senior co-workers but they might be wondering if they will feel the same when they get to that age.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Caring driver
Public AUVs in our country's capital are equipped with radios allowing them to chat with their buddies - primarily to warn them of the presence of any traffic enforcement officers in their route.
On our way home this evening from a day out, we overheard the driver call on his buddy asking where he is. I thought may be they have something planned for the night. When the other guy responded, our driver asked him if he has a specific passenger on-board. Some lady he describes based on where she gets off and what she was wearing that day.
When his friend gave the affirmative, has requested the guy to give his "hello" to the girl who in turn responded with a "see you tomorrow" through that driver.
It did not end there.
The other driver cautioned our driver that he might get caught by his "alpha." Our driver assured his friend that his "alpha" is leaving for the US probably to work.
Since wives are called with a word starting with a letter A in our country, we surmised that he must be referring to this wife.
We have a sort of a slogan in our country that says "drivers are sweet lovers." And our caring driver has so much love and care to give that he is willing to share it with his regular passenger.
On our way home this evening from a day out, we overheard the driver call on his buddy asking where he is. I thought may be they have something planned for the night. When the other guy responded, our driver asked him if he has a specific passenger on-board. Some lady he describes based on where she gets off and what she was wearing that day.
When his friend gave the affirmative, has requested the guy to give his "hello" to the girl who in turn responded with a "see you tomorrow" through that driver.
It did not end there.
The other driver cautioned our driver that he might get caught by his "alpha." Our driver assured his friend that his "alpha" is leaving for the US probably to work.
Since wives are called with a word starting with a letter A in our country, we surmised that he must be referring to this wife.
We have a sort of a slogan in our country that says "drivers are sweet lovers." And our caring driver has so much love and care to give that he is willing to share it with his regular passenger.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Generosity in the midst of economic crisis
We often hear public utility drivers whine about increasing fuel prices. They seek increase in fare that are held back by the government. We never hear about their generosity to some passengers who themselves do not have enough cash to pay for their fare due to one reason or another.
In the Philippines, public mass transport is owned by private individuals, groups or companies. Buses and some taxis are company-owned. Jeepneys, most taxis and AUVs are owned by individuals or groups.
For those owned by individuals or groups, drivers are employed on a turn basis - you drive today, you have a day-off tomorrow. Some drive the vehicles everyday. From the earnings of the day, drivers need to pay the owners what we call a boundary (a fixed amount that serves like a rent for driving the vehicle), they spend from that income fuel and repairs when needed. What's left becomes their own personal income that they take home to their families. So, you can see how important it is to them to have a good balance between fare rate and fuel cost.
But like the Filipinos that we are, we tend to be generous even if we have not enough for ourselves or our families. Maybe it is the religious upbringing in most of us or it is our character that makes one a true Filipino.
Just yesterday, I got into an AUV plying the Megamall-Pateros route. When the dispatcher began collecting our fixed P30.00 fare, one passenger seemed confused at how much the fare was. He repeatedly asked the dispatcher how much the fare is and how much the other passengers paid for their fare.
In the end, he conceded that he only has P20.00 with him which puzzled us.
Why did he get on the vehicle when he did not know if he had enough money to pay for the fare? That was the question that ran through my mind, blurted by the dispatcher, and - probably - thought by the other passengers as well.
The passenger never responded. I don't think he even paid for the fare.
And the AUV driver, the good man that he is - God bless him and his family - told the dispatcher to charge the fare to him. The dispatcher agreed and gave the driver his due from the fare collection less one passenger's fare.
I never knew what that guy's problem was. And I am not in the position to ask.
During the ride to Megamall, I remembered when I had the same problem. I took my sister to the sea port for her trip to Iloilo eating lunch on our way. When we were about to part ways at the gate, I gave her extra for some food at the ship (her ticket allows her free meals anyway). All I had left is twelve pesos which I thought will be enough to get me back to Quezon City.
When I paid the fare, I was told that the money I gave is not enough to get me to Quezon City. All my money is tied in my bank account and I did not bring the ATM with me.
I told the driver to drop me off wherever my payment brings me. He just smiled an said not to worry and that he will take me to where I am going. He added that at least, I told him that I did not enough cash unlike other passengers who do not pay the right fare.
God bless that man. And God bless all our PUV drivers who spend their days and nights on the risky streets to feed their families and educate their children.
In the Philippines, public mass transport is owned by private individuals, groups or companies. Buses and some taxis are company-owned. Jeepneys, most taxis and AUVs are owned by individuals or groups.
For those owned by individuals or groups, drivers are employed on a turn basis - you drive today, you have a day-off tomorrow. Some drive the vehicles everyday. From the earnings of the day, drivers need to pay the owners what we call a boundary (a fixed amount that serves like a rent for driving the vehicle), they spend from that income fuel and repairs when needed. What's left becomes their own personal income that they take home to their families. So, you can see how important it is to them to have a good balance between fare rate and fuel cost.
But like the Filipinos that we are, we tend to be generous even if we have not enough for ourselves or our families. Maybe it is the religious upbringing in most of us or it is our character that makes one a true Filipino.
Just yesterday, I got into an AUV plying the Megamall-Pateros route. When the dispatcher began collecting our fixed P30.00 fare, one passenger seemed confused at how much the fare was. He repeatedly asked the dispatcher how much the fare is and how much the other passengers paid for their fare.
In the end, he conceded that he only has P20.00 with him which puzzled us.
Why did he get on the vehicle when he did not know if he had enough money to pay for the fare? That was the question that ran through my mind, blurted by the dispatcher, and - probably - thought by the other passengers as well.
The passenger never responded. I don't think he even paid for the fare.
And the AUV driver, the good man that he is - God bless him and his family - told the dispatcher to charge the fare to him. The dispatcher agreed and gave the driver his due from the fare collection less one passenger's fare.
I never knew what that guy's problem was. And I am not in the position to ask.
During the ride to Megamall, I remembered when I had the same problem. I took my sister to the sea port for her trip to Iloilo eating lunch on our way. When we were about to part ways at the gate, I gave her extra for some food at the ship (her ticket allows her free meals anyway). All I had left is twelve pesos which I thought will be enough to get me back to Quezon City.
When I paid the fare, I was told that the money I gave is not enough to get me to Quezon City. All my money is tied in my bank account and I did not bring the ATM with me.
I told the driver to drop me off wherever my payment brings me. He just smiled an said not to worry and that he will take me to where I am going. He added that at least, I told him that I did not enough cash unlike other passengers who do not pay the right fare.
God bless that man. And God bless all our PUV drivers who spend their days and nights on the risky streets to feed their families and educate their children.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Music to my subconcsious
This morning, I was able to get to the terminal at almost 9:00. As I was waiting for the next FX to come along, I heard a Visayan rendition of a popular song played in parties and discos.
At first, I thought the song is about a party that the singer and his companions joined one night. They had fun in that party and later on the lead singer asked one of his friends for a prepaid load of three hundred pesos so he can call someone to say hello-lo-lo-lo-lo.
The music got stuck in my mind and I sang it, or at least a part of it, in the office. One of my officemates knew the song an since she is Visaya, she told me my interpretation of the lyrics was wrong.
What the song actually told is that, yes the guys did join a party and had fun but among those served for them to eat is what we call "butete." They ate the butete and were poisoned by the food. It resulted to them feeling dizzy (nahilo-lo-lo-lo-lo).
On my way home, I now have a better grasp at what the song means.
As luck would have it, I heard the song again as the radio station the jeep I was taking was tuned in to played that same music.
It was bad enough that I was playing the song in my head in the office, now, I am still playing it in my subconscious up until the time I am about to sleep.
Sheesh!
At first, I thought the song is about a party that the singer and his companions joined one night. They had fun in that party and later on the lead singer asked one of his friends for a prepaid load of three hundred pesos so he can call someone to say hello-lo-lo-lo-lo.
The music got stuck in my mind and I sang it, or at least a part of it, in the office. One of my officemates knew the song an since she is Visaya, she told me my interpretation of the lyrics was wrong.
What the song actually told is that, yes the guys did join a party and had fun but among those served for them to eat is what we call "butete." They ate the butete and were poisoned by the food. It resulted to them feeling dizzy (nahilo-lo-lo-lo-lo).
On my way home, I now have a better grasp at what the song means.
As luck would have it, I heard the song again as the radio station the jeep I was taking was tuned in to played that same music.
It was bad enough that I was playing the song in my head in the office, now, I am still playing it in my subconscious up until the time I am about to sleep.
Sheesh!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Those who are first become last
There are times that you feel unfortunate to at the end of a long queue of people trying to get a ride to the office. And there are times that you feel very lucky to be first in the line or in the first group to board and leave.
An of course, there are times that even though you were the first one to leave, the driver of the vehicle that is last to leave drives a lot faster than yours.
Just this morning, I was lucky enough to leave before 8 that will assure me that I will arrive at the office right before nine. While we were on the highway (C-5) just past the u-turn slot near Valle Verde when suddenly, an FX AUV tried to bump us. It turns out that the "rammer" is a coleague of our driver. They both belong to the same transport association. And this second AUV is supposed to have left about 10 minutes after we were on our way.
Lo and behold, a third AUV was also there and overtook us.
In the end, our AUV, that left around 7.45am was the last to reach my stop. And I thought I was lucky to be in the group that went out first.
And so, the first, became last. Haaay...
An of course, there are times that even though you were the first one to leave, the driver of the vehicle that is last to leave drives a lot faster than yours.
Just this morning, I was lucky enough to leave before 8 that will assure me that I will arrive at the office right before nine. While we were on the highway (C-5) just past the u-turn slot near Valle Verde when suddenly, an FX AUV tried to bump us. It turns out that the "rammer" is a coleague of our driver. They both belong to the same transport association. And this second AUV is supposed to have left about 10 minutes after we were on our way.
Lo and behold, a third AUV was also there and overtook us.
In the end, our AUV, that left around 7.45am was the last to reach my stop. And I thought I was lucky to be in the group that went out first.
And so, the first, became last. Haaay...
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Lovers are they?
On my way home tonight, I took an FX from Megamall. I took a seat at the back along with a couple who I thought to be married.
As we waited there for the vehicle to fill up and when it eventually left, I came to realize that they were not married and may be just friends. I figured this out when I heard the lady describing her daughter to her friend.
I never really thought of them as having an affair but merely chancing upon each other at the mall and since they are probably neighbors (since they discussed neighborly things). At any rate, the lady was, well, sort of a little sweet to the guy . Patting his leg, leaning on to him makes it look sweet. But then again, I do not know the depth of their relationship so its not really my business.
So, that is the more telling part of my commute today. Hope to be able to share some more in the future.
As we waited there for the vehicle to fill up and when it eventually left, I came to realize that they were not married and may be just friends. I figured this out when I heard the lady describing her daughter to her friend.
I never really thought of them as having an affair but merely chancing upon each other at the mall and since they are probably neighbors (since they discussed neighborly things). At any rate, the lady was, well, sort of a little sweet to the guy . Patting his leg, leaning on to him makes it look sweet. But then again, I do not know the depth of their relationship so its not really my business.
So, that is the more telling part of my commute today. Hope to be able to share some more in the future.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Music and calls
In my previous post, I narrated about a quiet ride from our house to the office.
This morning, I had a partially quiet ride.
I am again seated at the back of the Mitsubishi Adventure AUV with four other passengers. One is listening to the music, the other just watches the scenery go by. The fourth was joyfully talking on the phone.
First, she called her (presumably) female friend as asked about the number of a male friend. Then she went on talking about other stuff. Her other phone rang after that and she is now talking to the male friend. By what I hear, the guy was thinking she is using a brand new unit as she explained that the unit she uses is an old one.
All this is happening while the music-listening passenger was tapping his knee to the beat of his overly loud music that leaks out of his plugged ears.
This morning, I had a partially quiet ride.
I am again seated at the back of the Mitsubishi Adventure AUV with four other passengers. One is listening to the music, the other just watches the scenery go by. The fourth was joyfully talking on the phone.
First, she called her (presumably) female friend as asked about the number of a male friend. Then she went on talking about other stuff. Her other phone rang after that and she is now talking to the male friend. By what I hear, the guy was thinking she is using a brand new unit as she explained that the unit she uses is an old one.
All this is happening while the music-listening passenger was tapping his knee to the beat of his overly loud music that leaks out of his plugged ears.
Silent run
As always, early morning commutes are quiet. I got into the FX as the last passenger in, paid my fare and we were all set to go.
The ride was uneventful. The four of us at the back are all dozing. I did not take much notice about those up front since everybody was really quiet. Nobody knew someone so there is no reason for chitchat. All we could hear is the music coming from the stereo.
I did not notice anyone using a personal mobile audio device either. No iPods. No MP3 players. No mobile phones with MP3 player or FM radio feature.
We all rode in peace trying to get some more shut eye that we were not able to have the evening before.
It was a silent run.
The ride was uneventful. The four of us at the back are all dozing. I did not take much notice about those up front since everybody was really quiet. Nobody knew someone so there is no reason for chitchat. All we could hear is the music coming from the stereo.
I did not notice anyone using a personal mobile audio device either. No iPods. No MP3 players. No mobile phones with MP3 player or FM radio feature.
We all rode in peace trying to get some more shut eye that we were not able to have the evening before.
It was a silent run.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Seating arrangement
While seated waiting for the FX to leave, I was asked by the lady sitting with me where I will get off. She was seating nea the door while I sit near the driver in the front row. Since her destination is farther than mine, we exchanged seats. This way, she does not need to get out of the car to let me pass when I get to my destination.
It is an unritten rule in commuting that those whose destination is the farthest should be seated the farthest from he exit as well.
This is especially observed in AUVs like the Toyota Tamaraw FX or other similar vehicles like the Mistubishi Adventure or Isuzu Crosswind. These vehicles are used in garage to terminal transports.
Passengers, without much discussion, agree to the seating arrangements with the least bother to the other.
This practice is best followed during the rainy season. Less movement meanse less opportunities to get wet.
It is an unritten rule in commuting that those whose destination is the farthest should be seated the farthest from he exit as well.
This is especially observed in AUVs like the Toyota Tamaraw FX or other similar vehicles like the Mistubishi Adventure or Isuzu Crosswind. These vehicles are used in garage to terminal transports.
Passengers, without much discussion, agree to the seating arrangements with the least bother to the other.
This practice is best followed during the rainy season. Less movement meanse less opportunities to get wet.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Japanese TV series and learning language skills
Before I went home tonight, I had to go to a dinner with my fraternity brods. Unfortunately the hosts changed the venue without even informing the restaurant where they first made reservations.
During the trip to the restaurant just in the periphery of Greenhills shopping mall, I was able to watch a tagalog dubbed Japanese TV series. The title of the series is Hana Yori Dango. It is the Japanese version of the ever popular Taiwanese series Meteor Garden. Meteor Garden was also dubbed in tagalog.
I remembered doing a marathon viewing of the series on pirated DVD last Christmas. I had no choice. We only had one DVD player and television and my sisters and my mom are fans of the series. We watched it from morning to the morning of the next day.
The series was introduced in the Philippines only this February.
On my way home bearing the frustration that I was first at the venue only to find out that I was moved elsewhere, I took a Jeep to EDSA. During the ride, all I heard was chatter among passengers. One thing that really caught my attention is when the "conductor" tried to find the person who paid P50.00 to give his change, no one answered. Irritated at the lack of attention, the conductor returned the change to his cash box.
After a while, a person sitting next to the conductor asked for his change. He paid P50.00 and he is yet to get his change. This got him into a light tongue lashing from the conductor.
The conductor mumbled about how he asked who is yet to get a change for fifty and nobody answered and then suddenly this guy next to him asked for his change. The changed that was being handed out a few minutes earlier.
After reaching the end of the jeepney's trip, I transferred to a FX for my ride home. During this time, the only chatter I heard is from a family sitting behind me and the noise from the TV-phone. The TV-phone is a modified phone with a UHF-VHF receiver to allow viewing of free TV. I am sure it was made in China. You can find some info on this in my other blog: blagsasapot.
The family was letting their child watch some news and listen to some music. The kid repeats some familiar word heard from the phone. The mother repeats the word again and asks the child if he understood the word. I don't really know if the child is a he or a she.
The songs they listened to are modifications (almost bastardized versions) of original songs. Most contain sexually suggestive lines but the parents don't care.
It's good though that the child only retains specific words and not whole phrases. Maybe in time, he or she will know what those words meant together and wonder why his/her parents allowed them to listen to such a music.
In the end, the couple argued about the husband spending more time downloading stuff than attending to the domestic needs of his child and wife.
During the trip to the restaurant just in the periphery of Greenhills shopping mall, I was able to watch a tagalog dubbed Japanese TV series. The title of the series is Hana Yori Dango. It is the Japanese version of the ever popular Taiwanese series Meteor Garden. Meteor Garden was also dubbed in tagalog.
I remembered doing a marathon viewing of the series on pirated DVD last Christmas. I had no choice. We only had one DVD player and television and my sisters and my mom are fans of the series. We watched it from morning to the morning of the next day.
The series was introduced in the Philippines only this February.
On my way home bearing the frustration that I was first at the venue only to find out that I was moved elsewhere, I took a Jeep to EDSA. During the ride, all I heard was chatter among passengers. One thing that really caught my attention is when the "conductor" tried to find the person who paid P50.00 to give his change, no one answered. Irritated at the lack of attention, the conductor returned the change to his cash box.
After a while, a person sitting next to the conductor asked for his change. He paid P50.00 and he is yet to get his change. This got him into a light tongue lashing from the conductor.
The conductor mumbled about how he asked who is yet to get a change for fifty and nobody answered and then suddenly this guy next to him asked for his change. The changed that was being handed out a few minutes earlier.
After reaching the end of the jeepney's trip, I transferred to a FX for my ride home. During this time, the only chatter I heard is from a family sitting behind me and the noise from the TV-phone. The TV-phone is a modified phone with a UHF-VHF receiver to allow viewing of free TV. I am sure it was made in China. You can find some info on this in my other blog: blagsasapot.
The family was letting their child watch some news and listen to some music. The kid repeats some familiar word heard from the phone. The mother repeats the word again and asks the child if he understood the word. I don't really know if the child is a he or a she.
The songs they listened to are modifications (almost bastardized versions) of original songs. Most contain sexually suggestive lines but the parents don't care.
It's good though that the child only retains specific words and not whole phrases. Maybe in time, he or she will know what those words meant together and wonder why his/her parents allowed them to listen to such a music.
In the end, the couple argued about the husband spending more time downloading stuff than attending to the domestic needs of his child and wife.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Vacation woes
While riding the FX to work, I heard two guys talk about this:
1. Time to report to the office
2. Where to stay during vacation
FX is a model of the Toyota Tamaraw Asian utility vehicle (AUV) primarily used as a public utility vehicle (PUV) due to its large capacity. It comes between the regular jeepney and the taxi cab.
Reporting time
It is common that people who know each other are interested in the times they get to work. This discussion usually start discussions covering other topics.
This topic is also a form of assurance for some that they are not the only ones who are late for work.
Vacation
As vacation looms, where a person spends that time forms another topic. People compare notes on their planned vacations. They talk about where to stay, what to do, and sometimes how much it costs.
Today, the other passenger will be spending his vacation in the house of one of his buddies. His buddy will be alone this Holy Week and he welcomes the company. He will spend it there with his other buddies and they will probably drink themselves to exhaustion during the four days they will be together.
1. Time to report to the office
2. Where to stay during vacation
FX is a model of the Toyota Tamaraw Asian utility vehicle (AUV) primarily used as a public utility vehicle (PUV) due to its large capacity. It comes between the regular jeepney and the taxi cab.
Reporting time
It is common that people who know each other are interested in the times they get to work. This discussion usually start discussions covering other topics.
This topic is also a form of assurance for some that they are not the only ones who are late for work.
Vacation
As vacation looms, where a person spends that time forms another topic. People compare notes on their planned vacations. They talk about where to stay, what to do, and sometimes how much it costs.
Today, the other passenger will be spending his vacation in the house of one of his buddies. His buddy will be alone this Holy Week and he welcomes the company. He will spend it there with his other buddies and they will probably drink themselves to exhaustion during the four days they will be together.
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