Bike City

Each day more and more commuters are switching to bicycle in Cebu. This is made possible by the constant awareness drive of different cause oriented groups and bike advocates in the city. And what a lovely site it is. However if only we had better roads and discipline from both motorists and cyclists alike, it would be more enticing for more citizens to make the switch to pedal power.

Biking in work clothes

Not minding the scorching heat of the afternoon sun

Waiting for the red light

taking shelter from the sun

Bike with attached sidecar

Cargo trike with umbrella

Man with child

Old or young, it doesn't matter what bicycle.

Cycle chic

Mountain biking to office

O Trek

It has been a while since I last went to Osmena's Peak. Been here at least thrice already and it was not about the place that I went back, it is because of trekking.

A few weekends ago I went there again, this time with my office mates. Among the group only three of us have been there, the rest are all first timers. It is no surprise, before we even reach halfway the group was already panting. 

A lot has changed since the last time I was here. First, you can now hire a motorcycle all the way to the foot of the peak. Where's the fun in it?

Second, you are required  to register before you can proceed to the peak. Did not remember this before, or maybe it was really a long time since I was here.

Thirdly, it is crowded. Really crowded. I remember a time when I was there wherein it was very peaceful and calm. Relaxing. Now, you can't even take a decent picture without someone in the background. Photobombers!

The place is packed with tourists, both local and foreign. Noticeably a lot of Koreans, they seemed to be all over Cebu now. Everywhere you go or turn, there they are. When we had our lunch just before we head home, there they are again at the table beside us, your friendly neighborhood Koreans.

As I was enjoying the trek uphill, I cannot say the same for my colleagues. I think their mindset would be just like the saying goes "charge to experience". But the experience is worthwhile, even for me. It is always a different experience every time.

The highlight of the trek? Picture taking. Lots and lots of pictures. Well, what else is there to do at the peak? After appreciating the scene, just take photos of the scene and with you in it. Everyone trying to shoot a really great photo of themselves. Even risking their safety just to be on top of a rock and make sure it is captured on cam. Queuing and waiting for their turn to stand or sit on the rock formation and have their photos on top of the world. Well maybe not, just the top of Cebu probably.

The sad part of this trek is seeing the trash left behind by other visitors. Empty plastic bottles, plastic wrappers are everywhere.

Major roads have now destroyed the trails leading to the peak. Ironic, the roads are built to cater to a growing number of tourist to the peak. And when there are lots of folks, trash is present. The good thing though, the locals care for their place and are mindful of the vandalism picking  up rubbish along the way. Kudos folks.

Would I be going back to the peak? Definitely! Did I enjoyed it this time? Of course, all the time and each time will be a different experience.

Going to Osmenas peak:

Take a bus from Cebu Southbus terminal going to the town of Dalaguete. Bus fare is 105 pesos. At the town you can hire a motorcycle to take you to the baranggay of Mantalungon. Fare is 50 pesos. From there you can replenish your supplies. Usually what I'm used to, trekking would start at this place. However as I mentioned you can hire the motorcycle all the way to the foot of the peak. The fare would be 100 pesos. But where's the fun in it? You'll miss the trekking part.

Trapped

Still trap in the past
wishing it will last
it was once a blast
now turning to dust

Boxed in a corner
don't want to be a loner
I'm such a loser
it's like rain in summer

Cannot suppress the agony
you are indifferent and distant
leveled up to unknown
pushed me out, and I'm lonely

Satisfy this hunger
and quench this thirst
hoping for a forever
longing for a tryst

Have to keep up with you
up the notch, level the field
for I want to be your boo
and a life forever fulfilled

REV·ER·IE /ˈrev(ə)rē/

I close my eyes in nostalgic reverie,

snapped out with the unattainable dream

It all seemed just a fantasy

for I have been swimming upstream.

Lovely as you may be, I am forever in trance

Ambivalent towards you for your cue is equivocal

Can't construe what I'm after, don't want to be emotional

Here's hoping for another chance

The question still lingering in my mind

What if, and could have been? It was but now a delusion

A wasted opportune moment that cannot be rewind

For I fell short, and spooked of the uncertain vindication

The faith is not lost, will make a constant invocation 

even if the soul is marred by your continual neglect

You will always be forever my terrific admiration

I retreat in reverie glorifying the bliss and euphoria in retrospect.

Motorized Rascals

Strictly implementing the helmets but not the way they drive. What gives?

While on a cab going to the office, traffic was so heavy that it barely moved at all. The cab driver strike up a conversation and we had a good one. The most obvious topic was of course the heavy traffic and how it was so different a few years back then.

Although I could not totally agree, he surmise that traffic congestion is due to the increasing numbers of cars on the road plus the fact that our roads are too narrow, hence the congestion. 

While it may be true that we have more cars on the road now, this however is not the main reason for the congestion on the roads. It is still about traffic management, road courtesy and discipline. These are what we lack and why we are having traffic congestion.

On the issue of narrow roads, also I cannot totally agree. However, it is the quality of road that contributes to traffic congestion. Bumpy roads, unfinished road works, potholes and uneven surface.

Then there is the lack of proper sidewalks, resulting to pedestrians walking on the road causing vehicles to slow down and veer off. Then there are sidewalk vendors, or I think the proper term now is already roadside vendor. Either way, these obstacles on the side cause pedestrians to veer towards the road and thus causing vehicles to slow down. And not to mention, pedestrians crossing the roads on go signal, jay walking.

I must admit though that indeed there are more cars on the road as owning one has become so affordable and that it is contributing to traffic congestion somewhat. And with the decline of pump prices, we can expect even more vehicles on the road. Cars that have not been in use for quite a while are now plying the busy streets again.

But there is one thing we agreed and for me I think is the major cause of traffic congestion now, motorcycles. Yes, those unruly, no discipline motorcycles on the road. Those that cut your lane in front of you, blocking your way out of nowhere. Swerving from left to right, disregarding every traffic rule on the road, driving on the wrong lane, overtaking on the wrong side, turning to the right from the very leftmost lane. Driving as if they own the road and thinking they are invincible. As a result making other motorists hit the brakes, slow down, and evade these rascals on the road. Worse, traffic enforces do not feel obliged to fine these maniacs. They do give tickets to those not wearing helmets, it does not matter how they drive, if they are on the right lane or counter flowing traffic. It does not matter if they have the right of way or not, it does not matter how reckless they drive their motorcycles and violate all the traffic rules and disregard everyone on the road, as long as they wear their helmets then they are okay, no traffic citation.