I take cabs 'coz I have to

I was stuck in traffic with the cab meter running as hundreds of bikers took control of the roads yesterday (Sunday) morning in what was supposed to be their prelude to "Earth Day". And I mean, they took control of the roads, with motorcycle borne marshals from DOTC and ABS-CBN blocking the intersections as the bikers took their sweet time; pedaling as if they had leased the streets for the day!

Needless to say, not a few were irate (to put it kindly) at being forced to sit for minutes with engines idling, under the intense summer heat, while waiting for the tail end of what seemed to be an interminable parade. All those engines stewing and spewing their fumes; kinda defeats the purpose of "biking for clean air" - as their little flags proudly announced. Not to mention the emissions from dozens of motorbikes (notorious polluters), several cars, vans, SUVs and ambulances escorting the bikers. Among these bikers, after all are the metro's elite - the rich and the powerful - who would have to be driven back home after all this hoopla.

Organizers of this event should have been more considerate of the needs of the other road users. Their parade was stretched and broken at several points and these breaks should have been utilized to let crossing traffic through.

Although it was Sunday, people had places to go; as did I. And I was in a cab that did not move for more than ten minutes, meter running, waiting for these "eco-warriors" to underscore their point: "I bike for clean air."

Well, I don't bike. Unfortunately, I have no time for such frivolity. I can't be an eco-warrior because I have mouths to feed. And that's why I take cabs: I take cabs because I have to.

We need the NBN

I have purposely avoided discussing the NBN controversy, especially the self-proclaimed "truth crusader", Jun Lozada, because this topic serves only to divide. I just want it on the record that after all has been said, after the politicians have had their fill of publicity "in aid of re-election", after the media organizations have had their coffers to the brim from increased circulation/ratings, after the neighborhood rumor mongers and barbershop pundits have ran out of tales, that we seriously consider implementing the broadband project.

This project is vital to national development; especially in the light of our positioning ourselves as a techno-economy (similar to India). Even now, the dozen or so call center companies are pleading for an upgrade of data facilities.

We are in serious need of a digital backbone to service, not just the call centers' needs, but our own local needs. Try visiting a few of our government websites. Often they would be down due to server or bandwidth issues.

I hope when we finally get around to building our network, whether funded locally or from foreign loans, we won't have people like Mr. de Venecia and Lozada whose only interest in these undertakings is the commission (patong) they can squeeze from them.

PS: When they finally send to jail those who may have been guilty (if indeed there were kickbacks) I certainly pray these two aforementioned are incarcerated as well for as "brokers" and "moderators of greed" they are as guilty; if not more so.

Rules are not meant to be broken...

I was at the commencement rites of the UST Faculty of Engineering a couple of weeks ago and was struck by the lack of decorum and total breakdown of discipline among a majority of the parents/family members of the graduates.

First, very few came properly dressed for the occasion. Forgive me for being "consevative" but your son, daughter or sibling is marking a significant milestone; the least you can do is dress appropriately. I espied not a few guests in jeans and T-shirts (the collarless type with commercial logos emblazoned across them). I remember a time, not so long ago, when one attended such events in business attire (at the least)! I know it was scorching hot but make the effort; these are once-in-a-lifetime events, man!

But more than the non-adherence to the dress code, it was the complete disregard of the rules of proper conduct that really bugged me. Weeks before, it was made clear that photography will not be allowed; save for the officially sanctioned photography team. In fact, even without the university's admonishment, the "no photography rule" is a standard "house rule" at the PICC where the event took place.

True to the "Pinoy way", rules are there to be disobeyed. And disobey they did to the annoyance of those whom they blocked. Some even had the audacity to go down to the floor, which was off limits to all but the students and university officials, march to where their sons or daughters were and take their photos to the dismay of the marshals who were helpless against this mob.

This chaotic scenario is a microcosm of our society. We have rules but no pays attention. Or, at least, there are those who make a habit of breaking them because, they would argue, "they could."

"I will cross the road, flag a cab or a bus, or park wherever I damn please," you could almost hear them boasting, "because I can."

This bravado, usually borne out of a certainty of not being taken to task or the probability of getting out of punishment, by bribing or name-dropping, if caught, is proudly worn on our sleeves. This is the Pinoy macho. Ang tunay na lalaki! Actually, this is the Pinoy bobo!

This behavior merely highlights our lack of education as a nation. Disobeying rules because "we can" rather than obey them because "we must" only shows our disregard for others. And I am only talking about petty rules here.

Before we can grow as a nation, we have to grow as individuals. We cannot do that if we do not take the higher road. As long as we keep breaking rules because we can, or because everyone else does, we will never progress.

We celebrated our centennial as a free nation ten years ago, let's free ourselves of these old habits, why don't we.