How frequent to do you ride the MRT? Ako, for the past few months, the MRT has been my fast-track ride to the office. Since my work is situated in Mandaluyong, it’s considered the most convenient and no-traffic hangup way to get there on time. Getting off from the bus at Mantrade, then a little stroll to the station, taking the stairs or the escalator (which ironically does not work 90% of the time), and then, after a long line of being searched by guards for anything that may be a threat to national security, you get in. Ironically, that’s just the first part. You still have to line-up for your gate card, depending on your destination. So after all of these, getting into the main platform will usually take you close to 10-15 minutes tops before even riding the train.

Sometimes, the train itself takes too long even to arrive its first destination, which is the Mantrade stop. Funny though because MRT’s first base is just in Taft Avenue, a 5-minute drive from Mantrade. So by the time it arrives, usually a huge chunk of people awaits its stop and in most cases, everyone will try to push themselves, even squeeze in their bodies to the train’s automatic puny doors until all passengers look like a bunch of sardines packed in an oversized, elongated tin can. Not a good scenario to imagine. This is also the reason at times why I get to office much delayed due to the number of trains (the last trip I had took me 3 trains before I was able to ride on one) have to pass because everyone inside wouldn’t budge an inch so that other people can still get in. Call it swapang sila or tigas mukha, or maybe because they don’t want to add more smell of different people who are almost butt-cheek to butt-cheek inside the elongated cars.

And what about the ride? Well, at times it’s as smooth as a slow rollercoaster, stopping from time to time at every station to pack in more people. Oftentimes, it’s as crazy as hell! Why? Because you get the tendency to share the smell of each and everyone you mingle with, most especially those passengers whom you’re not comfortable staying beside with because they don’t care of exhaling heavily and polluting the tightly shut cars. And because they wouldn’t move or the train is overloaded, you just have to hold your breath at times, just like what Michael Phelps does during a long distance swim. Swerte ka na lang if you happen to end up in an area that has a strong aircon breeze. And mind you, that’s just the morning rush to the office! What about when you go home? Same ride, same routine, but a more powerful, stinkier fragrance to bare.

Problem with the MRT is that, of course, you can’t choose whom to get in and have that ride. I would presume even the car for women, elderly and children only may also have the same dilemma. What’s worse, the aircon is very strategically felt. What I meant about this is some areas have a strong steady cool air, while most areas are, literally warm (not to mention if there’s something foul building up). But I guess, most passengers will just take the ride as normal as possible, just to get to their destination (don’t worry, at times I’m also one who will just bear the heat and smell of it all to get to the office fast. No choice e!) But then again, matiisin lang din sila tulad ko…

But in general, the MRT is swell kind of transportation. It may not be totally conducive or very pleasant at times (well, ok… most of the time), but it is still a good way to reach your destination the quickest possible time. My advice (galing lang sa ‘kin to ha?) for those will be first timers to an MRT ride… just brace yourself for the worse, especially in the mornings or mid-afternoons because these are the times when everyone is on the rush. Also, a good cologne, some breath mints, and a clean handkerchief would do the trick to shield you from any unpleasantries during your short or long trip (depending on where you’re getting off). But if you’re taking a ride during off-peak hours (between 10AM to 2PM), the MRT is a sure, cozy ride for those who would just want to experience sight-seeing of the metro without the hassles of traffic and an erratic, humid weather.

See you, if ever, on the next MRT trip!