in its core

That day, buses coming from Ayala were, as always, jam-packed. People working in Makati know this, especially the time and place when the buses are sardines-full. After some time, you get used to it and no longer mind the discomfort as well as the behavior of all the commuters, the driver, and the conductor. It has its own little world.

So that day, I was sitting comfortably in one of the seats. I always get to seat because I ride at the shed where the buses are just starting to pick up passengers. I closed my eyes and was half asleep until halfway to school. I was waken up by the crying of a young boy about 7 years old. He, his father, and his little brother were standing in the aisle of the bus. He was complaining that it was so hard to stand throughout the travel, especially when all the people were so compressed together. Kakaawa itsura nun bata. I talked to him and asked him if he wants to sit in my lap, but he just looked at me and continued crying. Because his father was desperately holding his two kids while trying to maintain balance, I again asked the boy if he could just hold on to my arm rest so that he wouldn’t be outbalanced. He just ignored me again. Probably, he just wanted to get out of that bus. His father kindly smiled and thanked me.

After alighting the bus, I realized that people have become so used to (read: immune) with the bus system and submitted to its rules. I realized that I rarely see people who would stand for an old lady. Even most of the men I know no longer do that. I wonder if this is just a side effect of the steps to liberalism, equality, and individuality—things people have been struggling for–or is just plain apathy or mefirst attitude. I wonder if we are on the right path, these things being trivial, or do we now need some kind of hardware restoration? Life and living are so complicated and ever-changing, but I guess there are just some core values worth maintaining.