Worsening traffic woes
AN old lady carrying her baby knelt in front of the image of the Black Nazarene at Quiapo Church. Desperate for help, she tarried so long pestering the Lord, “Lord, please help me. My child needs milk very badly. Lord, spare me even only P100!”
* * * Meanwhile, the queue behind her kept lengthening with the devotees getting exasperated.
A traffic police officer happened to pass by. The devotees approached him to take her away, giving him 150 to hand it to the old lady.
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As the officer helped her to leave, the lady said, “Lord, thank you for giving me this P50. But next time, please don’t give it through a policeman. Tignan Ninyo, kinupit ang kalahati” (Look, he pocketed the other half).
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My column focuses on our worsening traffic but not the “traffic” that happened in the above story.
We have been experiencing horrendous traffic in the metropolis, especially at EDSA, C5, Quezon Avenue. However, our traffic woes will double and triple as the Christmas season is on us. * * * A nun who came from Or. Mindoro via Batangas a few days related how it took two hours to reach home from Makati alone to their convent in Cubao.
Gads, that’s a lot of penitensiya!
* * * Then some kababayans from the South and abroad narrate about the horrific traffic they go through at the airport and the next kalbaryo of shoving and hustling as they rush out— only to run through traffic kalbaryos on EDSA and other thoroughfares.
* * * There’s a joke that every Christmas, the horrendous traffic is the Christmas gift of MMDA and Department of Transportation to the people.
That’s just banter of course and I know those government agencies are doing their best to remedy the situation but the problem is just gigantic.
They should keep trying their best but they should have prepared with long- and short-term remedies.
* * * On the other side, the riding public should find practical ways to find adjustments that will ease their traffic problem. For instance, when they are going to their destination, be it to work or attend a meeting, they should leave the house early. For a trip they used to take in 30 minutes, 30 minutes could be added. * * * Rushing to your destination can cause accidents, too; not to mention unnecessary stress and traffic altercation which can be hazardous to your health and life.
If necessary, avoid passing through perennially congested streets and mall areas.
Then start your Christmas shopping early in the season. You may have your own practical solutions, fine. As the saying goes: “Tis better to light a little candle than to curse the darkness”… or government heads.
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EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS AT PINK SISTERS. The public is invited to the 30th Eucharistic Congress on November 25, Saturday, from 8 am to 5 pm. Venue: St. Joseph’s Adoration Convent, 71 Hemady Avenue corner 11th St. New Manila, Quezon City.
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This year’s theme is: “The Holy Eucharist and the Joy of Love.”
Registration which starts at 6:30 am is FREE. The Congress will culminate with a Holy Mass. For inquiries, call Pink Sisters, at 722-8828 or Mia Acuna, Secretariat, at 0923 1448040 or 0927 3664116.
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ST. JUDE. Today join our novena to St. Jude, Saint of the Impossible, at the Divine Word Shrine, Christ the King Seminary, on E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Quezon City, after the 6 p.m. Mass.
A healing prayer and anointing of the sick will follow.