I am guessing other countries’ traffic situations are peculiar in their own way, but anyway, let me share with you from my personal archive some of what the Philippines has to offer.
CROSSING THE STREET DIAGONALLY LOOKING AWAY FROM THE ROAD
Filipinos are a very trusting people. So trusting in fact that they will look away from the oncoming traffic as they cross the street. This also says a lot about the competence of Filipino drivers!
CUSTOMIZED JEEPNEYS
How cool is a jeepney attesting to the legacy of the great songwriter Billy Joel? Or displaying one of the 1990s’ most beloved comic book characters? It almost makes up for the next paragraph.
JEEPNEYS MAKING PARA AT CORNERS, BLOCKING TRAFFIC
It never fails to make one curse a malutong “ptANGGINa.” The picture you see is in the infamous Boni Serrano/Santolan-EDSA intersection, the site of many a bottleneck.
TAXIS DISPLAYING WEIRD KIDS’ NAMES
Taxi drivers, like any other people, are proud of their kids, so much so that we are apprised of Filipinos’ tendency to give weird names to their progeny. ‘Vic Vickiel’ for God’s sake.
SLEEPING IN AWKWARD POSITIONS FOR ALL TO SEE
Yet another example of Filipinos’ great confidence in their kababayans’ driving skillz.
POLICE PRIVILEGES
Apparently, loading and unloading are prohibited in this corner of Greenhills Shopping Center because it keeps police cars from parking conveniently and blocking the traffic themselves.
MAKESHIFT SIGNS AND CREATIVE WORDSMITHING
Enforcer 1: Tsong, may nagnakaw ng ‘No left turn’ sign sa may V. Mapa. Gawa ka naman ng bago.
Enforcer 2: A okey, may plywood ako dito, sige, no leftern kamo?
Enforcer 1: Oo. Sige kokotong uli ako ha, kita-kits mamaya.
UNUSUAL PASSENGERS ON MOTORCYCLES
This ever-conscientious motorcycle driver at least has the foresight and concern to put a helmet on his loyal companion. The thing is, when I first saw it, the dog was in the back of the motorcycle, doing a balancing act to stay on the seat. The driver, realizing it would be more prudent, scooped up his friend and put him in front. * Thumbs up *
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