another late day at the office. for the past year, being tardy has become a habit. yes it's a bad one and no one should follow my lead, no matter how bored they are at work, but being a habit, it's just so hard to shake off.
dunno why i bought something to eat during my 30-minute break. i wasn't hungry, i have no intention of eating. heck, i wasn't even thinking about food. the next thing i knew, i have a plate of rice and binagoongan (pork cutlets sauteed in fish paste a.k.a. delicious-dish-no-matter-how strange-it-sounds-to-foreigners cuisine) in front of me, and I, in front of the office pantry's tv. began to watch a documentary about the issues regarding traffic, and how my country has been slowly advancing to the next level in terms of providing better transportation watch all over the metro. they boasted of some 60++ cctv cameras watching over those automobiles along with my fellow commuters. they crooned about the number of traffic rescue teams (around 6-15 units[?]) going over the city to assist in emergency situations and road accidents. they warned the public that there are eyes watching wrong doers & traffic violators everywhere.
but why is it not enough? why are there still accidents occuring at almost every blink of the traffic lights? why are there still a lot of drivers boldly beating the red light & cutting other vehicles? why are there still a lot of people proclaiming themselves, "king of the road"?
for someone who is always hopeful about the future of the country, it's painful to go outside and feast one's eyes on bumper to bumper traffic, and let one's ears be assailed by hundreds of honkers trying to get past each other. on days when i try to go to work early (mind you, you can count those days using 10 fingers and a foot), it's really frustrating to arrive at the office about a minute late, just because traffic got in the way. now where are those "watchful eyes" when you need them? is there still hope to wake up to for another day?
if only those CCTV cameras can zoom in close enough to watch the exchange of "kotong" money between corrupt traffic enforcers and abusive/ignorant/innocent drivers...
if only government-regulated transports are being properly utilized, come in large numbers, have wider coverage than mobile phone networks, and cheap (if not free).
if only transportation/traffic laws are implemented on a fair (vs. now: officer, i'm late for work and i'm a politician/lawyer/actor/really really rich guy, could you just let me pass this one time & by the way here's your lunch allowance kthnxbye) and consistent (vs. now: business days from 7am-8pm, city center only) basis...
if only the price of petroleum & other gasoline products are subsidized, or if only the government showed more support on that bio/hydro/solar-operated automobile inventions...
if only i can have that shiny black blingy car... ok scratch that, who am i kidding here?
well anyway, it's not bad to dream big dreams for one's nation right? if the other countries can do it, we can too right? if we all work together, nothing's impossible right?
if only. if only it were that easy.
the road to success is a bumpy one. my motherland's currently low on fuel and stuck in a pothole along that road. nevertheless, let's all enjoy the ride. better yet, why don't we try to be better drivers at least? - cesiaj ###
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