The 2^nd Media- Outdoor Advertising Association of the Philippines (OAAP) were instrumental in the idea of making art appreciation be made available to people from all walks of life.

From the advertising focus of different product and brands to art appreciation is a new thrust of the OAAP. This is a welcome treat from OAAP…. a new form of visuals, showcasing other forms of art.

A wider audience for the Filipino Artist… GO GLOBAL… GO WORLD CLASS!

Here’s a glimpse of the biggest outdoor gallery in Asia.

A jeepney driver who smokes early in the morning considering they have a sign board that says

“NO SMOKING”.

I have encountered them several times already and it’s note only me who notices it. I can see other passengers covering their noses and waving the smoke away from them. They would point on the sign board then whisper with their companion.

Commuting alone, early in the morning, cleanly dressed and newly perfumed I was only left to move away from the driver and cover my nose.

I am not against with SMOKING because I know a lot how does but please…

BE CONSIDERATE…

Spare the jeepney ride!

(+) Second-Hand Smoker

Reasons are its:

T-o all ages…
A-lways fresh…
X-cellent (lol!)
I-mpressive

it’s professional…
it’s young…
gives you the latest buzz…
it’s educational…

The second Philippine Blog Awards will be held on September 21, 2008 at One Esplanade, Mall of Asia Complex. Registration will start at 5:00PM.

Good Luck to all the participants…

If not, well, you landed on the right site…

1,2,3 is a term used when you skipped on paying any public utility vehicle. Frequent victims of these are the jeepney drivers— at least for me… (Yes, sad but true…)

For two days now I have been on a jeepney with those kinds of people. How do I know it? Oh well… Its as simple as pretending that you rode on the wrong jeep, you got off then poof!!!

YOUR FARE IS AS GOOD AS FREE… or IS FREE— I may say.

“Para, Mali pala ako ng nasakyan…” one man said.

“Monumento ba ito? Ay! Para na!” another man said.

What a STYLE!!!

Then the driver would just scratch his head, grab the wheel tighter, look at the mirror and then say…

“Nakalibre ka lang eh!!!”

Just like that…

AN INSTANT FREE RIDE!

People nowadays… tsk. tsk. tsk.

God knows HUDAS not pay!!!

*photos are from here and here

Laking pasasalamat ko at hindi niya inaabot ang aking puting sapatos (bagkus ito lamang ay kanyang marurumihan dahil sa ilang sapatos na ang nadaanan ng kanyang nag-iisang basahan) ngunit kanina ay sinawimpalad ang aking sapatos (pasalamat na lamang ako at hindi ako nakaputing uniporme). Hindi lamang niya naistorbo ang aking katahimikan at pagmumuni-muni sa byahe kundi nagdulot pa siya ng isang malaking pagkainis.

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I believe everyone is aware that the LRT line 1 (even MRT) has separate boarding areas for males and females. There are visible indicators posted in each stations but still, there are guys kept on riding in the designated trains for females.

One morning while on my way to school, still wearing a sleepy head the train stopped at Blumentritt station where people are running to make it inside the train (trains usually closes immediately in this station) however, one male “unconsciously” entered the female boarding area (yes, he looked unconscious…LOL!) that is why the security guard entered inside to ask the guy to transfer to the other train. He said “Sir, Lipat lang po tayo sa kabila, sa mga babae lang po ito.” the man had no reactions. So he said again “Sir, pakibilisan lang po, masasarhan po tayo ng train…” with a fast tone. And so, without a doubt, the train buzzes and slowly closes its door. The security guard tried to wave his neon colored glove for signal but he failed. He just scratched his head and smiled.

Poor security guard, he was brought to the next station for just doing his job. Imagine what caused him for some “pretend-you-don’t-know acts”.

That scenario drove away my sleepiness for I laughed within me (Bad me…LOL!)

Then, I don’t know now what had happened next.

I can’t help but blog about my jeepney experience last Tuesday.

Since typhoon Karen showered, the whole Philippines incredibly wet that leads to the suspension of classes in ALL levels thought it ran a bit late. People loiter on the street waiting for jeepneys, fx, buses and taxis which are always full when it arrives. LRT’s jam-packed. There’s traffic and there’s flood. Plus, I am on my all-white uniform. However, this does not stop me from going to the mall. LOL! This is where the story starts:

So my friend and I planned to go to Robinson’s Ermita (Pedro Gil). Luckily, we made it there but we waited for almost an hour for a jeep that can accommodate two people. We had encountered several jeepneys but it can only accommodate one so, we let it pass. As our jeepney was traveling along Quiapo area, there was this two old lady with a child who forcefully rode the jeepney though only two seats were available so one old lady was at the center of the jeepney, bent down and trying to fit herself into the seat but there is none. So with her impatience, she just yelled “BUMABA NA YUNG MGA BABABA…” I chuckled silently and looked at my friend. Then, two ladies (around mid-twenties I think) got off the jeepney. Therefore, in the end, the old lady finally got her sit comfortably. I just said to my friend, “SANA PALA GANON NA LANG GINAWA NATIN PARA KANINA PA TAYO NAKAALIS…” Then we both laughed. I don’t know if the lady heard me, it’s just that it entertained me, despite of the heavy rain. LOL!

Just getting something positive out of a wasted situation. LOL!

Here it goes: I was assigned to a graveyard shift years ago in Eastwood and was running late for work. I couldn’t bring my car since it had problems so coming from Las Pinas, a cab would be my best option to make it on time at work. It was already 3am and my shift is starting in a hour, so I waited and waited til finally a taxi came by and told the driver where I needed to go. So off we went. Less than a kilometer after I came on board, I asked the driver if he could close the windows and turn the AC on. He replied, “Pasensya na sira yung aircon eh.” I wanted to get off the cab but I had no choice but keep my cool since it was hard finding a cab. I then noticed after a few minutes that he was driving at around 30km/h in Coastal Road. I said “Manong baka pwede naman hong bilis bilisan nyo kasi male-late na ako eh.” He replied, “Pasenya na inaantok na talaga ako at baka mabangga tayo pag binilisan ko.” I almost wanted to scream at him but chose to keep my cool. I asked if he could pull over, sit at the back, sleep and let me do the driving…which I did! Haha, as soon as I got into the taxi driver’s seat, I drove like crazy from Las Pinas all the way to Eastwood City, Libis. Haha! I woke him up a few meters from our building and he made me pay just half the fare. It was a nightmare but was a great experience and adventure as well being a taxi driver.Hahaha.

Jovz Salla

To Jovs, Thank you for your one-unique taxi story. I think it is not actually horror but an adventure— escapade taxi experience. I smiled the entire time I was reading your entry. If I would learn how to drive, I would also try driving a taxi, the jeepney or even the LRT. LOL!

It is one proof that when a person is in a hurry, his adrenaline rise up and he can do all the things he can do just to get to their destination. LOL! I hope this story put a smile in your face.

He (Jon Jon Lagman, head of the DOTC Action Center) urged the public to call 7890 (DOTC Action Center) and 117 (Police Hotline) to report abusive taxi drivers who might take advantage of the situation by refusing to convey passengers. He warned overcharging taxi drivers of stiff penalties.
click for full article

Good thing DOTC take some actions regarding abusive taxi drivers. You can report drivers who: Refuse to admit passengers, Ask for additional charges (overcharging)or Refuse to turn on the taxi meter..or “nangongontrata”. I don’t know if they “really” take action on this but I really do hope so.

Again, to our readers:

Call 7-8-9-0 for your taxi complains.

I hope this helped.=)

UPDATE: I tried calling the DOTC hotline number for abusive taxi drivers a couple of days ago. And, I’m happy to share with everyone that the hotline number actually works. So call now if you have encountered abusive taxi drivers.

hi..i really don’t know who to deal with in regards to abusive taxi drivers. I have encountered so many and this incident is not tolerable.
Anyways, just today(07/24/08) around 4:35pm..I dealt with an abusive taxi driver..the plate number is TYL 501..from ortigas to marikina, my 3 officemates and I usually pay a maximum of 120php..
everyday po..sumasakay kami ng taxi after work..4 po kami lagi and from marikina bayan may baba na 2..ang way is along J.P. Rizal St in San Roque lang..after po nun..may baba ulit na 1 infront of OLA church..and then just a few blocks naman po is ung house namin..nung baba na po ako..ang metro is just 115 or maybe 117php..but i gave the driver 125 (for courtesy)..when i’m trying to go down..the taxi driver asked me how much yung binigay kong money..i told him na bilangin nya..he opened his door and told ne na kulang yun…how can that be? dinagdagan ko naman..meron na daw additional 10php sa metro..but i was informed na di pa xa i-implement..and we need to pay addtl 10php pag may yellow sticker ung taxi which is wala sya nun..i fed him the necessary information and he shouted at me..ang kuripot ko daw, ginawa namin sya school bus..which is kahit anong mangyari..don pa din sya lalabas sa road na yun kasi one way po..i told him na dinagdagan ko na nga..bkit kulang pa..bababa sya ng taxi so i was scared because scary po tlga yung features nya..what i did is..tumawag ako ng bystanders which unfortunately is some kinda old na po..he told the driver na tama na ung binayad ko na sobra pa and di pa nga po implemented ung 10 additional..ang daming sinabi nung taxi driver..he even used profanity/foul words..so ang ginawa ko po..i got his plate number and the operator’s telephone number..and then i dont want to argue na..coz scary po talaga sya..i gave him additional 20php..my total payment was 145php pero ang metro po is 117php lang..
i called the operator and reported the incident..the dispatcher told me na hindi po nya alam yung name ng driver (coz i was asking for the driver’s name to lodge a complaint)..which ung mga bystanders po can attest to his rudeness..tomorrow pa daw po malalaman yung name kasi 24hours yung byahe..they told me to call back tom (07/25/08)..the thing is..baka po hindi ibigay yung real name kasi baka ipagtanggol nila..ayoko lang po mangyari yun sa ibang pasahero esp kung babae po ung sasakay kasi bastos po talaga sya..
everytime po na sumasakay kami ng taxi..di naman tga exakto lang yung binibigay namin coz mataas na tlga ang cost of living dito sa atin esp ung gas..
gusto ko lang po na maturuan ng lesson ung driver kasi di naman tama yung ginagawa nya..hanggat wala pong magco-complain..baka gawin din nya sa iba..
I informed the dispatcher (operator ng taxi) his name is Carlo na sa LTO nagwo-work yung father ko para lang di nila ako lokohin..i’m sorry..i know its not right pero nakakatakot naman po kung mauulit pa ito..
di ko alam kung anong action ang pwedeng gawin..I badly need your help! The taxi operator’s number is 024443060 plate number TYL 501.
Kind Regards,
Grace

To grace, I am also aware that the 10-peso increase for taxis is not yet implemented during the duration of your experience but when I checked the net (click here), I have read that effective July 25, 2008 the 10-peso increase for taxi fare is implemented already. You failed to mention the company of the said taxi driver nevertheless, it is their duty to bring you to each of your friends’ or co-workers’ destinations given the fact that you will be paying them.

Riding to abusive drivers is inevitable, I for once have experienced taxi horror stories but if you would read our previous post regarding taxi companies, you could get some tips there to at least, minimize your chance in encountering such drivers. You could also call the taxi operator again for follow-up if that won’t cost you ample time (you know the business here in the Philippines right?). Anyway, money is nothing if you will compare it with the harm that the driver may have cost you if you didn’t pay him with the amount he demanded.

We can’t prevent these drivers for acting this way with the kind if living we have now but this story should be a lesson for us to be a responsible passengers for our own safety. If you feel that, the driver is not that reliable please, let the taxi pass and wait for another one.

Thank you for entrusting your taxi story with us. This is the first story we have so far since this blog started. Don’t worry if nobody acted with your complain now, but there is someone who already made the perfect verdict for him and it is God.