I can't think of a title. Basta this commute was hell.

Tonight, I had to go to Gateway Mall from Ortigas to pick up these Starbucks cards from a seller:

I collect these now.

The trip was a test of wills. It was not that long because there virtually was no traffic, but it was hard to catch a ride.

I.

6PM. I originally planned to take the MRT from Shaw Blvd, but I went off-route because I walked with a colleague to Megamall. I tried to take a bus from Megamall A, but it was nearly impossible because the crowd was thick and there were a few buses. After waiting for a bit, I decided to walk to the MRT's Ortigas Station. It was nearer than Shaw. So on I walked.

II. 

There was a queue from the bottom of the stairs upwards to the Ortigas station, which was situated about three or four stories high on top EDSA. So yes, it was a long line.

After about ten minutes of waiting in line and inching slowly to the top, I reached the entrance to the platform and realized that the line went directly to the ticket scanner. I had no ticket, so I had to remove myself from the line to buy one. Once I got the ticket, the guard told me that I could not go back in line, and I have to go back downstairs to line up again. I decided not to because staying in line while on a narrow staircase made me queasy.

So on I walked.

III. 

The sidewalk from the MRT to Robinsons Galleria belonged in an episode of Takeshi's Castle. A lot of obstacles were in the long long way. There were thick-trunked trees that took up half of the space, the pavement was uneven so you can trip at any time, metal bars were erected everywhere with no reason, and beggars were sprawled every few meters. Then there were fellow commuters who were going the other way as I was; the narrow space didn't let two pass comfortably at the same time. We needed to play patintero. It was exhausting.

But I pushed onward, determined to reach Robinsons because I knew that a lot of folks alight the bus there, so there would be space for new riders. I repeated this idea again and again, until it became a fact in my head. I was talking to myself like a loony person. I'm sure the other people walking with me were doing the same.

But this was a waste of words. What I had was an alternative fact, because there again was a thick crowd in front of the mall, and there were almost no buses. I pondered if I can walk to Cubao. I can do that, of course, but I'm not sure if I can keep reciting a hopeless prayer to myself the whole way. I might become a literal loony if I do that, so I hesitated.

Instead, I chose to use my muscles to tackle people when a bus approached. Thankfully, I didn't need to do much because in front of me was a stocky lady who might be in her 40s. This brave woman barged into the other commuters in front of her, and they gave way. I stuck to her like glue, until we reached the bus's door.

IV. 

The lady was quick to jump into the bus, while I was only able to step halfway in. There just wasn't anymore space. Half my body was hanging out while the bus was moving, and the driver tried to close the door but I was in the way so it was stuck. I did not give up, and I didn't care. I continued hanging. Finally, the tough lady pushed inwards to give me space, and I was able to enter. The door might have closed, but it would smash me whenever it opened.

This was my bus. I was standing in front of that sign inside the bus the whole trip. I hate that door.

EPILOGUE.

Was public transportation ever this bad in Manila? I used to take the bus two years ago, before I discovered the UV Express and this concept of going home before the rush hour. I knew commuting on buses was already awful then, but I don't remember people hanging with their bodies out of the door. Commuting seems to be worse now.

All throughout the trip, I wondered if our dear lawmakers knew about this situation. If they do, why isn't resolving it a priority? Do they care? Perhaps we should make them commute every day so they would be motivated to fix it. We should take their cars away and make them commute home on these cramped buses. There should be no other option for them, because the citizens that they serve almost never have options too.

What I would always remember from this hellish trip is the determination I saw in the eyes of the lady who helped me finally get to my destination. We didn't speak, but we exchanged glances the whole way. We went through a hard task together, but there was no grief in her eyes. She was joyous, because even though she'd be standing during the whole trip, she knew she was homebound, perhaps to a loving husband, or to her beautiful children. She gave me the prettiest smile, and I did the same.