How to Conquer Manila: A Survival Guide for Promdi Guys

      

 If you are planning to work in Manila after graduating from college or if you are someone looking for a greener pasture, your transcript of records, diploma, NBI clearance and certificate of good moral character are not enough. Starting an independent life away from all the hot, home  cooked meals will require more than those pieces of paper.

            You need practical, strategic and dirty tips to earn than Manilenyo badge.

1.   Do not bring live chicken!

            I am just kidding. Anyway, I could easily track down urban neophytes in less than 2 seconds. Rapid eye movement, uncontrolled muscles (with the tendency to break a neck when passing that new clothing apparel billboard in EDSA) and heavy breathing (most likely due to smog) were just among my promdi behaviors 3 years ago.

            Just walk confidently, fast and vigilant even if you are holding that clucking free-range chicken as a pasalubong for your landlady or housemates. By the way, I still break my neck every time I pass to that new clothing apparel in EDSA.

 2. Talk to strangers…in uniforms.

                   Don’t get me wrong, I am not being judgmental at all but you could be at smaller risks when you ask security personnel for directions to the nearest bus terminal or to confirm if the newspapers on the stand inside the train station that says Inquirer Libre are really for free.

                   Security officers are also kind enough to let you charge your phone battery in their station. Trust me.  

       3. Go with flow. Literally.

                   A trustful friend of mine gave me a fool proof tip about living in a big city. She said always search for and follow the swarm of people. It could be the entrance or the exit or if you are lucky enough, the queue for free coffee samples. Winning!

        4. Coins—the loose that we love. 

                   You do not want to start in a long queue all over again just because you did not notice the 12x 12 inches signage that says “Exact Fare” and you only have P1000 bills and fast approaching a teller that looks like you high school Math teacher with a delayed payday. Yes, I am over reacting. Just keep few coins for these rare instances of meeting your high school math teacher, again, in the train station.

        5.  Entertain thyself.

                    A Dan Brown book, preferably Inferno that described Manila as a gateway to hell, (I used to enjoy Brown when his titles were still fictional. Ha!) or your 4-year old MP3 player with Asin singing in the background or anything to keep your sanity intact. You can thank me later for reminding you this.

       6. Know the easy way.

                    I could still remember tiring myself for weeks by taking the Cubao route from Marcos Highway, Pasig City going to Elliptical Road, Quezon City. I nearly commit hara-kiri after I discovered the heartbreaking yet relieving Anonas route.

                   I might devote another article about metro shortcuts for commuters. I just cannot promise any solutions about the traffic jams yet, maybe in the next lifetime. Very punny, I know.

       7. MRT and LRT.

                      This is a trivial and confusing one, at least for new guys in Metro.

                      Manila Metro Rail TransitSystem Line 3 (MRT-3) is the mass transit ride located along the  famous Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) with 11 stations from North Avenue in Quezon City  to Taft  Avenue in Pasay City. On the other hand, Light Rail Transit (LRT) has 2 railway operations  and routes. LRT Line 1 has 20 stations from Roosevelt in Quezon City to Baclaran in the City of   Manila while LRT 2 has 11 stations from Santolan in Pasig City to Recto in Manila.

                     If you memorize this one, you will literally go places. 

       8.  Cubao Ilalim or Cubao Ibabaw. 

                    Or it could also be Ortigas ilalim or Ortigas Ibabaw.  If you are new in the Metro, you will find yourself dumbfounded by buses with placards that say ilalim (below)or ibabaw (above). Ilalim are those PUVs passing to normal roads usually under footbridges or underpasses while ibabaw use service roads like skyways to minimize travel time.

                    I remember taking the Robinson’s Galleria route on my way to Pasig but too sleepy to check the bus signage and ended up in front of SM Megamall. So just make sure to check the signage before boarding or ask your [frustrated Formula 1 racer] bus driver about your destination.

                    Or take a cab.

      9.  Be friendly.

                     Unleash the extrovert in you and befriend the sari-sari store owner near your apartment, the water filling station folks, barber shop guys, laundry shop attendants, your landlady, your neighbor and even your dog’s neighbor. In short, be gracious to everyone and your stay will be a breeze minus the air, of course.

      10.   Enjoy!

                     If you cannot beat the traffic, just jam with it!

       11.   So, what is your own tip about promdi Metro living?