mga pagmumuni ni carmen

One of my pet peeves about riding the MRT was, short of looking for the signs at every station, there was no surefire way to know where you were. Earlier versions of the cards had the stops mapped out but most were so faded you could barely make out the design. If you were a first-time commuter unfamiliar with the area then you would either have to depend on the geographical skills of your seatmate or wish to the high heavens that the designated driver would take it upon himself to announce the stations in the usual world-weary manner that they all seem to share: “Shaw Bolebard stayshen, Shaw Boo-le-baaaaard.”

This was why I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped into the train on my way home and heard a pre-recorded female voice announce each stop clearly. “We are now approaching Shaw Boulevard station. Please alight on the door on your left.” I was speechless. Ang galing! Tapos sinasabi pa kung saang pintuan ka dapat bumaba!

It would have been perfect except for the fact that at the end of each stop, the same female would announce in a perky voice, “Rise and shine!” Maybe they should consider omitting this on all recordings played past noon? Unless it’s meant to wake up sleeping passengers, regardless of the time?

The other day, I was also pleased when I saw that there was a tv on the train. It was showing a rather scintillating video of… a moving train. I was laughing at the irony of it all (which genius thought that passengers of the MRT would want to while away the time watching a train onscreen) but silly me, it turned out that there were other footage I had yet to appreciate: grass rustling in the wind, ducks swimming aimlessly in the pond, aerial views of mountains. This video moved one passenger to wistfully comment, “Sana Dysebel na lang.”

Well, can’t please `em all!

At least there is progress in some parts of the Philippines. :)