What's the Fuss?

A couple of days ago, I took the LRT from Buendia to Doroteo Jose. I usually take the very first coach designated for female passengers. It's spacious and less crowded. After 2 stops, I think we were in Pedro Gil station when a bulky man in his late 40s entered the coach. I couldn't figure if he was American or European but I was sure, he wasn't a local. He looked sweaty and sticky and he was standing near the entrance and I was at the other side of the coach so it didn't really matter. It was in United Nations station when a group of female students got in and started to whine.

Student 1: Hmp, naamoy ko sya.
Student 2: Ano ba sya? Arabo ba sya? Arabo ba? (Take note, the whole coach could hear her ask.)
me (in my thoughts): Geesh, what if he did understand Tagalog. It'll be so embarrassing. He might be a tourist in the area and might as well be "nice" to him.
Student 1: Eh bakit kung Arabo?
Student 2: Kasi marunong ako mag Arabo. Galing ako sa Saudi Arabia. (Hmm, this is all about her after all. I thought it was about Lawrence. Lawrence who? Lawrence of Arabia.)
Student 1: Ah talaga. Anong sasabihin mo?
Student 2: Sasabihin ko sa kanya, sa kabila sya kasi female area to tsaka masikip na dito tsaka yung ano nya ... (Duh, as if one passenger alighting would help give us a bigger room to move.)
Student 1: Marunong ka magbasa ng sulat ng mga Arabo.
Student 2: Ay hindi. Salita lang.
me (in my thoughts): Ngek. What's the fuss?! I think the whole female population on that coach heard her brag about her trip to Saudi Arabia.

Back in college, I also took the LRT going home. I remember one afternoon when the coaches were all full and I had to squeeze myself in or it'll take an eternity for me to get home. I was successful in getting myself in when I overheard a lady and a man arguing. I presume they are strangers.

Lady: Ano ba! Wag ka nga tulak ng tulak!
Man: Di naman ako nanunulak eh.

After a few minutes, I think the man kind of pushed the lady and got her really annoyed.

Lady: Ano ba! Sinabi na ngang wag kang tulak ng tulak eh!
Man: Di kita tinutulak!
Lady: Konting tulak mo pa mabubuntis na ako!

me (in my thoughts): Nu ni nu ni nu. Puede palang mabuntis sa LRT ano? Delikado. Tsk tsk tsk.

Tomorrow will be the opening of the Olympics and Pa is pretty much excited and has been contemplating on subscribing to Sky Cable's Pay per View for the whole event. It costs Php 2,500 and he's been trying to validate this unnecessary expense and it was Ma who told me about his planned subscription. I know Pa. When he wants something, he sells the idea and rationalizes his actions and explains himself over and over.

Ma: Meh, si Papa gusto mag Pay per View para sa Olympics.
me: Magkano daw?
Ma: Php 2,500. Puede naman nyang panoorin yung delayed telecast.
me: Oo nga. Mahal din noh?

Then Pa walked towards the kitchen and tells me about his plan to support this event by the People's Republic of China.

Pa: Meh, alam mo ba may Pay per View ang Olympics. Php 2,500 lang.
me: Pa, ang mahal.
Pa: Hindi. Kasi good for 14 days yun.
me: Ok, ikaw ang bahala pero sayang din kasi. Puede naman sa delayed telecast.

Ma then went to the kitchen and heard our conversation.

Pa: Zen (that's my mom), sabi ni Meh bahala daw ako sa Pay per View.
Ma: Ok.

So Pa goes to the Master's bedroom and calls Sky Cable. They talked for a good 5 to 10 minutes and he goes back to the kitchen.

Pa: Zen, alam mo ba client tayo ng Sky Cable since 1990 pala. Kaya pala di na tayo tinaasan ng rate.
Ma: Bakit noong may rewards program sila, di naman tayo binigyan ng points. (May tampo pa pala si mother.)
Pa: Sabi nila tapos na yun. Oo nga pala.
Ma: Ano?
Pa: Sabi ng Sky Cable, Php 1,500 na lang ang subscription dahil matagal na tayong client.
me: Wow, ok na yun. Mura na.
Ma: Oo nga. Ok na yung rate na yun.
Pa: Kaso may problema.
Ma: Ano?
Pa: Wala tayong digital box kaya di rin tayo makakanood.

Horror of all horrors. Turns out, in order to be able to access the Pay per View, we need that box to see the ceremonies live. So much for wanting to view this once in a lifetime event. Pa has been excited to watch the Olympics. I don't know if it was because it's a global event that only happens every four years or because he was rooting for China. I can just imagine how my neighbors from China will be cheering and rooting for Team China and Yao Ming over the mah-jong table tomorrow night and the next 14 days.