a pedicab ride

In my line of work you don't have the right to be choosy especially if you're not hitting your month-to-date target. I got a call from a client to meet them for a possible project. The office? Manila. Binondo to be exact. This part of Manila that I only visited twice, when we were scouting for my wedding essentials 3 years ago. And during those times I was not alone, I was in jeans and shirt, I was with a bunch of entourage, my fiance, my wedding coordinator and we have our own transportation.


But now, I have to do this on my own,
using public transportation, with stilettos on my feet and wearing a shirt jack with my employer's logo for everyone to see. I was hoping that the first taxi that comes my way would happily take me to my destination.. but alas! I just heard excuses for them not to let me get a ride. So I just ask the next taxi (after the first 2 rejected me) to take me to Gateway and from there I took the LRT from Cubao to Recto. Ahh Recto.. been here also on my way to Divisoria but I was not wearing my VNC stilettos then. I ask for directions on how to go to Binondo Church and the vendor said that I have to take a jeep (biyaheng Divisoria) then from there ride another to take me to the Church. So I did... after a few blocks.. SPOTTED! a taxi.. but when I got off the jeep, the stop light went GREEN and the taxi drive off... OH NO! (anong gagawin ko?) (time check: 2:30pm)..lakad..lakad...The I spotted another taxi.. told him where I am going but then for the 4th time I was rejected. Traffic dun maám, tsaka dun ka sa kabilang lane magabang maling way ito.sakay ka na lang ng pedicab. WHAT?! pedicab ba kamo?

While I was walking back to where I disembarked from the jeep, I'm feeling the tension already.. the humidity is starting to get me stressed... sweating.. the rain is starting to fall... f&@k! I forgot to bring an umbrella.. I was walking and walking.. the street sign says Claro M. Recto.. I'm on the right track.. Wait a minute.. Divisoria na ito.. I feel like an odd man out.. obviously, I don't look like I'm goin'shopping with my folder at hand and stilettos. I praying so hard not to be mugged. Then I saw a traffic aid.. ask for direction and advised to take a pedicab. I guess getting the same advice from 2 different people might be the best option I have to get to my destination.

I was choosy of my pedicab, ayoko ng bata..mahirap na!..I woke up an old man sleeping in his pedicab. manong babyahe po ba kyo? sa Binondo Church po ako. He agreed to take me and charged me 60 pesos.. OK lang. Just get me there on time. time check 2:45pm.
I finally made it to my client's building.. gave the pedicab driver P100 (I guess i felt guilty waking him up during his siesta). Time check: 2:55pm.
I left Binondo the same way I got there, but this time the pedicab driver took me straight to the MRT station (Recto).

While I was riding the pedicab, I took pictures to remind me of this experience. I've realized of how fulfilling it is to be able to get to a place... unknown if you could ever get home alive.. using all types of public transportation imaginable .. taxi, mrt, jeepney and pedicab. I feel I can do anything na. with or without stilettos! :)

Turista sa sariling Bansa

A question posted by myke: How much of the Philippines have you visited?
Answer: .... Naku! wala pa sa kalahati !



My Lakbayan grade is C-!
How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!
Created by Eugene Villar.

Summer Vacation in Bohol

Finally! I can now say that I’ve seen the chocolate hills, hold a tarsier, seen the man-made forest (planted by boy scouts 50 years ago), stepped on a hanging bridge, been to the Baclayon Church, saw the Blood Compact monument, and swim the white sand beach of Panglao Island.

The plane was delayed and I was expecting AJ to be agitated while on flight but I was surprised that he just sits on my mom's lap, curious about everything he gets his hands on but after taking off...he slept throughout the 1 hour flight. I think AJ will be a frequent flier if he continuous to behave like this. hehehe!

Our 4 days stay in Bohol was fun and relaxing with a bit of mishaps where AJ on day one, slipped and bumped his head on the corner of the wooden bed. He looks like he was punched under his right eye. Second day, he was bitten by a tarsier on his right cheek because he curiously pinched his leg. And on the last day, while having breakfast, he bumped his head again (above his right eyebrow) on the wooden chair because he wants to get away from mamita’s restraining hands. Now I think AJ’s best angle would be his left side since all his accidents involve his right face.

I’m already feeling the stress and anxiety of him being at terrible two . He’s 2 months shy of being 2 years old and yet in less than a week he already have 3 mishaps. Oh well, for him life goes on.. after crying out his pain.. He’s back to his normal self again. Oh Life!

But nevertheless, I’m glad I had this chance to spend a vacation with my family. It was all worth it! Can’t wait to pay my credit card dues! Hahaha!

Sharing with you some of the photos out of the 800++ pics that we have taken..:-)
click here.




AJ sleeping like a baby during our flight





Daddy and AJ enjoyed the beach




the famous chocolate hills




curious about the Tarsier




Love the Beach! Panglao Island, Bohol