Have you ever met a person in her 20s that hasn’t set foot in Manila alone, ever?! Guess who… It’s me! Before I tell you how much of a probinsyana (country girl) I am, let me add that I have a low sense of direction to the point where I can’t remember where we last parked our car. I also have a wrong sense of pride (i.e., i don’t want them to think i’m lost, when i actually am) that hinders me from asking people plus a partial role of my introversion. Aside from all of that, I have never ever traveled outside my province alone.
It kind of hurts my pride to say this but I’m past my teenage years. I’m 20 and I haven’t had the chance to venture out in the capital. Well, almost everything can be found in the South. Papers that needed to be taken care of, government establishments, companies, decent competent schools/universities and even bus terminals that let you go straight up north and south. Basically, I can live and die without ever setting foot in Manila. Growing up, traveling never really sounded appealing to me. Travelling in group can be fun but travelling alone? I like the thought of it and at the same time it scares me. This, has prevented me from exploring on my own. Fear. It never crossed my mind that, I, will someday have to face my fear. So here's how the story goes.. I was chosen to represent our area for the upcoming 40th Anniversary. I was really excited and humbled because out of the many and able, I was picked to be part of our historic annual celebration. Anyway, when they announced that practice will be held in Manila, I had my doubts. Ultimately, I don't have a clue how to even go there. Second, will I be able to survive? Practice is 7PM to 10PM. It's basically suicide and my school is in Cavite. But I did, out of passion. I did. I went there for the first time. I went in Ortigas alone. Google Maps was on standby, I kept looking outside. Tried my best to remember every detail, every way, every turns. Everything!!!! I was finally seeing a glimpse of Manila. The city life. How pollution and air mix in your lungs. The sound of loud honks, billboards, city lights, corporate attires, the fast tracked life of people in the city. Everything is so fast. For the first time, I was so happy and scared I could finally do it! Thank God, it all went fine. And when I got in Ortigas for the first time on my own. I learned that practice was CANCELLED. Yep. But it was a nice travel tho. P.S. After a month of commuting, I got used to it. I became a tough warrior especially in MRT.
