September 8 was CSB’s start of its 2nd term for the school year 2008-2009. Going to school was pretty smooth, even the classes were smooth, until the clocked ticked 7 in the evening…
Heavy rain poured, it’s strength pretty much roared inside the class while we were still having our INFORES. Dismissal came, but instead of rushing out of the room to go home, everyone had to think twice – “how are we supposed to go home?!”
Soon enough, we had to go out of the room, and even though our group’s chatter went on and on, the rain can still be heard through the hallway. Heading for the backgate, we bid farewell to those going to the opposite direction.
As we approached the exit, the sound of the rain’s downpour proved heavy. Students were all standing in the backgate’s stairs – waiting, stranded. Knowing it would be difficult for some of my friends to come home in such weather conditions, I opted to add two more from the list of those who’d accompany me. Aside from Joseph and Angelia, Fridz and Harvey tagged along.
Being aware that things are pretty wet outside, I decided to be the sole person to walk a slight distance from the exit up to the car so that those tagged to come with me need not play with the rain as well. Stepping down the stairs was demoralizing – the pedestrian walkway in itself is flooded. “It’s already late and the rain won’t stop pretty soon either”, and so I thought… so I courageously stepped away from the small roof that shelters me from the water. Wearing my working barong, slacks, and my trusty shoes, as if a child, I brushed the rain off and ran as fast as I can to the car. When I reached it, the view of the tires flooded halfway demoralized me more. As the rain soaks me with its mass, it is quite intriguing to how I could have still hesitated to sink my feet into the flood just to get inside the car. For that split second, everything paused – except for the rain. As if having my defenses on, my feet just stepped forward and late as I’ve realized, it’s already soaked in flood.
Quickly I entered the car – finally! Sitting on the driver’s seat, I quickly removed my shoes to avoid getting the stench, hanged my barong, and quickly left the parking space to transfer right in front of the backgate. Reaching it was no fun either – a gold CR-V went first before me, and he barricaded the space fronting the entrance, hindering me to get a good spot at least to lessen the chances that my friends will be soaked as I am. He took his time there, even after he has already fetched his girlfriend (I assumed the driver’s still young when I got a chance to take a glance on his non-tinted window). Desperate, I tried to signal him off by flashing my lights, but to no avail. After several more minutes (30 minutes after our class’ dismissal actually), I just maneuvered my vehicle and turned into reverse with my rear facing his front. Finally, he seemed to have noticed how much he’s blocking everyone’s way (yeah, there were also parents and friends in line after me), he finally gave way. Fortunately, a Traffic Enforcer wearing a rain coat helped me back up to the vacant space. It seems he thought I’d be parking there, so I rolled down my window (and yep, it’s still raining) and told him that I was just fetching my friends. As if God’s blessing, the enforcer asked me “where are they?”, and I pointed out to Joseph and said “there, the guy with the white shirt carrying his long sleeves and shoulder bag” – with no questions asked, he quickly went to Joseph and gave him his umbrella. Joseph and Angelia then finally was able to get inside the car as well, and in a minute’s time, Fridz and Harvey followed. We all left there thanking this Traffic Enforcer we simply called “Kuya”, for it wasn’t for him and his assistance, it may have even taken longer just to leave the campus.
Fortunately, everyone’s pretty much along the way, so the cost I’ve incurred for tagging my friends is just similar to me travelling alone on my way home. Fridz was the first to go, then Harvey, and after that – DISASTER. Traversing Osmena, when we approached the Buendia Flyover, traffic struck. Expecting it’s flooded in the road ahead, we detoured to different streets and sought for an alternative. Timing couldn’t get any better, since it’s a light vehicle that I’ve brought that day. Some roads would’ve been passable if I brought a higher one. Trying to access smaller roads were pretty scary, some just went deeper and deeper, and the engine pretty much showed signs of dying as there were times that the engine no longer responded to my foot pushing hard on the pedal just to revolutionize and push out the water (this wasn’t easy either being that the car’s transmission was automatic, so I had to shift from Neutral and quick-shift to Drive just to revolutionize). So, having no choice, Joseph, Angelia, and I just had to hit reverse and follow where most vehicles go.
Traffic was endless that night, even trucks had to hit the hazard lights and turn back on all the roads we went into. Then came Cash & Carry. From Soliven St., we turned right to Cash & Carry to pass through back to Osmena. It took us two hours there just as if parked in the junction connecting the mall and the road. Fortunately the car had TV. We did not really enjoy on watching the flick being aired – we actually enjoyed more on tinkering with the TV’s antenna (since when we move one, the audio dies out, and when we move the other, the video dies out – no clue to what position should the antenna take to get both signals). We even laughed ourselves out in just doing so! Imagine what traffic could do! Haha…
Finally, the car in front of us finally moved. Knowing everyone’s a hot-head, I just pushed myself in to the main route of Osmena. Some never yielded, but fortunately, there were those kind enough to join them in their penitence. Now, on Osmena was another 30 minutes – imagine, a span of just 200 meters consuming 30 minutes! Vehicles coming from Buendia to Malugay were blocking the vehicles headed to SLEX (ours included). Luckily the pickup in front of us was wise enough and was able to find a path for us to pass through – and then we got away with traffic!
Think it’s over yet? Nah! Right after traffic – the flood greeted us! When the pickup and the van in front of him stopped and lit their hazard lights, then we hesitated as well. Joseph checked the level of the water and it was pretty deep. We waited a while and then saw a bus on our right side shoving the flood… and to our amazement – a TAXI followed! A light vehicle followed! And that’s all that mattered! With hopes up, the risk-taker is back! So when we got the chance to merge to our right, we did so. Tailing another pick-up, we courageously followed. Things got pretty scary midway as the engine was losing response repetitively. Fortunately, with plenty of shiftings to neutral and back, we got away with flood! And plenty followed after us! Hahaha.. talk about setting an example!
Whew, after that, things pretty much ran smooth (luckily). Joseph dropped off right after the flooded area, took his CPU and went home. Angelia and I, however, had our fingers crossed as we were afraid that it may still be possible that the wretched SLEX will also be traffic. Fortunately not! Whew!
So after leaving Angelia, I went straight home. Ate a well-deserved warm noodle soup, took a bath, removed the car’s matting, and went it for the night. Definitely, that was an experience I would never want to experience anytime soon.
Thanks to Angelia and Joseph for keeping me up for the entire trip. Sure would’ve fallen asleep if they’re not there.
As per memorabilia, here’s the only pic we got (notice the level of the flood through the van’s tires, add some centimeters more and that’s how deep it is for a light vehicle):
