Ten LRT lessons

          I'm sick and tired of the LRT's in the metro! They are so outdated and small! How could they possibly expect all the commuters to fit in those trains for ants? Are they crazy? Isn't it before you build something, you have to plan it first? What happened in the LRT's is the opposite. Instead of researching first for the number of commuters so the they could buy trains with the right capacity, they bought smaller and cheaper trains and renovated it later so 5,000 people can fit into it which is by the way, a stupid idea. Purchasing trains with wrong size led to an inevitable everyday riot and nobody can do anything about it. Being my only mode of transportation to La Salle, I don't really have a choice but to take the hell ride. Surprisingly, through this experience, I've learned a couple of things about life. Woah! I know right. Who knew you can get something from frustrations. Haha! Here they are:

1.  It's unforgivable to push woman during desperate times when boarding trains but it's okay for woman, with the strengths of Xena, to push men just to get in first. (Gender equality? I guess not.)

2. Woman should be given a seat inside the trains even though we paid the same fair. (The question is would they do the same for us?)

3. I improved my sense of touch (checking my wallet and cellphone if it is still inside my pocket every minute without even touching it with my hands).

4. I developed my swimming skills specifically holding my breath for long periods (if the guy in front of me smells like rotten eggs.)

5. I learned how to improvise. Since there are no proper door signage in LRT1 stations, I made my own. For example the "no spitting" sign is the door opening for the new train, while the "no entry" sign's the door opening for the old train.

6. I improved my body endurance. I can now withstand more nudges, punches and overall pain. (Result of an everyday "training").

7. I managed to stand on a wobbly floor.

8. I am now more patient because of  the slow speed of the aging trains.

9. I became more polite by saying "excuse me" frequently.

10. I discovered that most men seating inside the train are sleeping because they don't want their conscience to work and give up their seat to a woman. (Now that's a fact!)

Juan Carlos Benedicto

C31 BSA