Sunday, August 23, 2009



10 TIPS ON HOW TO RIDE LRT2 (SANTOLAN TO RECTO)
WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE A TRANSIT VIRGIN

10. Make sure you know to operate the ticketing machines before using it. When in doubt or when all goes wrong, blame the machine.

9. Know which way the ticket goes in the slot. Nothing says "This is my first time riding the LRT" more than committing the embarrassing mistake of getting stuck behind the revolving metal thing of doom. This time, you CANNOT blame the machine.

8. Wear earphones. It makes you look cooler.

7. Do NOT run like there's no tomorrow to save yourself a seat, especially when you're from Santolan or Recto station where there's no one on the train yet. Instead, learn how to walk fast, keep your eyes on the prize and sit like a princess.

6. Bring in food and beverages, then sneak a bite or two while looking out for the roaming security guard. Smile sheepishly when you get caught.

5. Sleep. Or feign sleeping. It makes you look like you're not constantly watching whether it's time to get off the train. Even if you are.

4. Do not hold on to the train's safety hand rails at all times. Regular commuters know how to balance.

3. Regular LRT commuters also know how to stagger and fall gracefully whenever the train does its trademark sudden stop between stations. Do NOT panic when this happens. There is no bomb threat. You are not going to die. Normally, a slow train in front of the one you're riding is just making everybody late.

2. Time will come you will have actually memorized the list of stations in proper order and the "Next station, Araneta-Center Cubao. Ang susunod na istasyon ay Araneta-Center Cubao..." monologue of that disembodied woman on the train. Do not recite them with a friend to show off this amazing talent you've acquired. It's tacky. It's annoying. And it only means that you're an excited college freshman commuting by yourself for probably the first time in your life.


and the No.1 Tip on how to ride LRT2 without looking like a transit virgin is...


1. For the love of Obama and all things sacred, NEVER ever, and I mean EVHUR block the escalators when you're riding on it, especially during morning rush hours and when you can clearly hear the presence of a train waiting on the above platform. Seasoned LRT commuters know by heart that people are almost always in a hurry to board the train and have experienced themselves how irritating those people who stand side by side and block the path completely making you miss the train altogether. Don't say I didn't warn you when all of a sudden somebody squeezes in between you and your friend banging you on the chest or something.

Hell hath no fury to commuters in a hurry. Remember that.




For those who didn't get it. This thing is actually a joke.

But an effective list jokes nonetheless. :)

11 comments:

Reagan D said...

hha, nice!

hate those rushing people, who would even elbow you to get out of the way, and run to the gates to get in/out, even when you're not blocking any pathway! haha.

well, that's more of an MRT scene. haha

Clarriscent said...

people are more relaxed and civilized in LRT2 (compared to both LRT1 and MRT) in my opinion, but there are still commuters in a hurry, like me (haha), that don't appreciate missing the train just because of those people blocking the way as if they're the only ones there.

hence, the bitter number 1 item... lol

vision2eyes@gmail.com said...

great blog keep up the good work

Clarriscent said...

thanks so much! i'm changing the my theme. hopefully it looks better and more semi-professional...

Lysender said...

Wow nice! I'm also commuting from Santolan to Araneta Cubao. I really hate riding MRT. LRT1 is even better than MRT.

Try riding at Shaw, Ortigas or Cubao during peak hours. It would take you 30 minutes or more before you can ride in.

Clarriscent said...

I agree. I've experienced riding on all 3 train transits and MRT is the worst. LRT2 is the best and LRT1 is old. Haha.

Unknown said...

LRT1 already has new trains on 'em. Still, boarding on LRT2 feels like you're a japanese commuter.

I agree with #4. It's not possible to have a safety hand rail near you AT ALL TIMES, so balancing in the train is a big advantage.

Oh yeah, have you already gone through the ticket-eating pass without inserting your ticket? sooo risky, lol.

Clarriscent said...

What do you mean without inserting my ticket? Is that possible? Have you tried that? LOL that would be so cool if you get away with it but it's almost impossible with the lady guards keeping a close watch on them..

Unknown said...

Yep I already did. That was during the time pres. GMA's face is still printed on the tickets. It has already been brought home by my cousin from states.

How did I manage to get it away? Well, you must do it by pairs. Either you're the one going through the lever and doing the dirty move or you're the one passing through without inserting the ticket.

1. Insert the ticket as usual.
2. Enter the lever, but DO NOT PUSH IT TO ITS LIMIT AND INSTEAD DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND MAKE YOURSELF AS THIN AS AN ANOREXIC LADY. Pass through the lever and put it back like NO ONE WENT THROUGH IT YET.
3. Tell the person behind you to pass through without inserting the ticket.

And that's it. Get his/her ticket. Now you have a souvenir for balikbayans :)

Actually, it can be repeated simultaneously; only if all the persons behind knows how to do it :)

(still, going through this risky thing is crazier than just buying a ticket on a vending machine and scram lol)

Clarriscent said...

oh i get it haha that's awesome.. just make sure you don't get caught 'cause those lrt guards are scary...

Unknown said...

i already experienced riding an LRT before... like 10 years ago? and with my father. i'm used to riding mrt but i'm a little afraid lrt's kinda different so i looked it up on the internet and i was here. woah! okay, i don't know if it really helped or what... but yeah, it was funny to read so... maybe it kinda helped? who knows.

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