SURVIVING THE CAPITAL

Welcome to the Hunger Games—the Manila version—where the odds may ever be in your favor.

Okay, so maybe we’re exaggerating just a little bit. Nobody is out to kill you and you won’t find people armed with a bow and arrow, or a dagger (unless, of course, you somehow end up in some of the shadier parts of the place).

So, you got yourself a job. This might be your first or second or maybe even third job, but hey, who is counting?! Congratulations for being employed and finally getting off the country’s unemployment statistics.

With your spanking new job comes a spanking new paycheck and maybe even a company issued phone and laptop. If you’re really lucky, you’ll even wind up with some living allowance and some other cool and nifty stuff that we all dream of having.

But here’s the catch—you’ll have to relocate to Metro Manila.

A lot of Cebuanos have transferred to the capital and joined the hustle and bustle of the city. Surprisingly, in our street in Makati City, there are close to 20 Cebuanos who live right next door to us. Even my housemate is from Cebu.

I’ve been living in the capital for three years and it still takes some getting used to. And for some who are used to how things work in Cebu, things may come as a surprise once you start to live in this jungle.

So here’s a quick survival guide for every Cebuano who plans a longterm move to the capital:

Rule 1. Buses and Trains. And no, I’m not talking about the song. Once in the capital, start getting used to taking the bus or the MRT or LRT. They can be confusing at first, but you’ll get the hang of it. And oh, it gets pretty crowded (understatement of the year!) during rush hour, so either leave home early or get a place close to work. And you might also want to start getting used to the idea that the sense of personal space is not an issue here.

Rule 2. Rent a place close to work. My golden rule in living in Makati City: rent a place that’s just a jeepney ride away. You do NOT want to live in an area that’s about an hour’s drive away and worry about traffic and all the people who take public transportation. It’s hell.

Rule 3. Get a roommate. Or two. Or three. Living in the capital is expensive. So if you get an apartment worth P15,000 a month, it’s best to get a couple of roommates. You have someone to talk to and keep you sane, and the arrangement helps you save money. I’ve been living with four other people for the past three years and we have yet to kill each other. So, that’s pretty awesome.

Rule 4. Learn how to cook. Sad fact of life: There are no pungko-pungko stalls in the whole of Luzon. It’s an abomination and it’s heartbreaking. And if you work in a Central Business

District like Makati City, you’ll surely find no carenderia that serves you linat-an baboy or utan. So it’s a good idea to start learning how to cook, to help save you a little bit of money from spending too much on restaurants for your lunch.

Rule 5. Prepare for floods. So, these days, I know that Cebu’s not spared from the flooding. I’ve seen a couple of mini-floods in Cebu but nothing compares to the crazy floods in some areas of Manila and other central areas in the metro. Keep a pair of rainboots under your desk, just in case.

Rule 6. Believe in the typhoon signals. No matter how wonky our weather forecasts can be sometimes, always believe in the storm signals. You do NOT want to get stuck somewhere out there when a typhoon hits, and water suddenly rises. Not fun.

Rule 7. It’s Jolly Jeep not Jollibee. To make up for the lack of carenderias and pungko-pungko stalls (ugh!), surprisingly you’ll find a lot of Jolly Jeeps around central business areas. They’re a lot like food trucks that sell carenderia food. Though the food is a bit expensive, they work, too.

Rule 8. Be Vigilant. Okay, this sounds like the Hunger Games. But seriously, be on the lookout. Criminals loom in every corner and every bus ride. So if you spot somebody suspicious, either get off the bus or alert the authorities. Salisi crimes are also rampant, so always keep an eye on your valuables.

Rule 9. Stay-in during the holidays. If you think holidays are the perfect time to leave the metro to tour the neighboring provinces, think again! Stay in the city, and be amazed how traffic-less and peopleless it can be during the holidays! It’s the perfect time to relax at a park or explore the city!

Rule 10. Get around. Things may be horrible sometimes in terms of traffic and people, but there are loads of beautiful spots and gems in the capital. Despite the whole China dispute, I love Binondo. Manila’s Chinatown has some of the best Chinese restaurants and stores. And despite how crazy it can get in Quezon City, it has—hands down— the best restaurants in the metro.

And lastly, here’s our golden rule that you all must keep in mind:

The Golden Rule: Never say ‘libog.’ If you don’t know what libog means in Tagalog, Google it. You’ll understand why people will snicker and giggle at you.

We hope that these few tips will help those who will be moving to Metro Manila soon either for a job or for college. It’s a jungle out there. @lisbaumgart has been living in Makati City for close to three years. Despite the fact that she consistently earned an average grade of 76 in Filipino during her elementary years, she has somehow mastered the art of speaking Tagalog and survived living in the metro. She only said the word ‘Libog’ once or twice in public, earning her only a few looks from strangers.