Below are my three most unforgettable experiences this year so far. I’ll detail them one by one and with corresponding titles. Read on.

Police Checkpoint Incident

It was 12:30 am, January 28, 2007 when I started to roll out my final preparations for my departure to Iloilo. All was now set and went inside the car where my father drove us (my mom and I) in front of Allied Bank along the hi-way. We waited there for at least 15 minutes for our 3 companions (my cousin Roner and Mae along with her husband Lloyd). I get my cellphone, attached the earphone and played a music. 5 minutes before 1 am, I saw my cousins knocking on the car window along with their bags and hand-carried luggages. We had a little talk as to where and what transportation we should take to go to the airport. We finally agreed to take a bus. We asked the conductor of the first bus if they can take us to Sucat despite the straight route to Lawton. He then later decided to took us in and agreed to unload us in Sucat.

It was passed 1 am when we nearly reached the 2 meter long bridge which separates San Pedro from Muntinlupa city. Then I saw this checkpoint right beside the road. There policemen in front of the road stopping us. At first, I thought it was a normal procedure for the policemen to go inside the bus and conduct searching using their flashlight. But then it was no ordinary searching. I heard one of the armed men say “Eto na yung bus na yun, number 244″ or “This is the bus, number 244″. Not knowing what will happen next, the policemen outside gathered around the bus and one of their companions ask all the passengers who were the last five (5) individuals who rode the bus recently. They received a report that says that the bus with a number ending in 244 will carry 5 believed to be hold uppers. We said that we were the last 5 who went inside the bus and immediately told them afterwards that we were not among the reported hold uppers. An officer began to instruct all the passengers to “raise our hands” with a loud voice. My mother joked about it and laugh. However, the officers seem to be serious. They instructed all male’s to go outside the bus. Among the 5, 3 were males including me. We went down and form a line. Policemen began to search and question us as I saw three patrol cars began to surround and secure the area with policemen holding their guns. My cousin Mae was frightened because her husband was being searched. I never had this experience in my whole life. My mom who was inside the bus told the officers if we can go on to our trip to the airport as it may cause us missing our flight. The officers then finally relieved us from the search and two men were brought to the side for further questioning because of their failure to show ID’s.

A little bit shocked from the event, we joked about it later on. The driver of the bus said that they can’t get on with the trip and decided that we refund the fare. I don’t know what is the reason. We waited again on Shell Gas Station and rode a jeepney to Alabang, hoping we could get an FX or taxi there. We saw this taxi and told to take us to the airport.

I don’t know who made that report that coincides with us detailed in that report. It looks as someone made a joke and happened to be us at that time who rode a bus. I don’t know, I can’t blame the policemen as they were doing their job to maintain order. Actually, they did a good damn job in securing the area because their response time was immediate. They should be commended for their work. Well, what an experience.

My Airplane Experience

The taxi took us to Manila Domestic Airport. In the airport, we look for the terminal and found an officer there. The man explained to us that our terminal number was 2 however on a different airport. According to him, Philippine Airlines bought Air Philippines years ago and the airport we must be into should be the Centennial Airport terminal 2. We look for a cab and instructed the driver to take us to the Centennial Airport Departure area just right next to NAIA.

Upon arriving there, I saw a long line of passengers going to the entrance. This is my first time to enter an airport terminal and pass through metal detectors. All was good and we proceeded to the waiting area in front of the terminal 2 entrance. It’s 5 o’ clock and the crew of Air Philippines let us in. We rode a bus to the plane. I was very excited as I finally stepped inside the airplane. My seat number was 10D located at the right side wing of the plane and one seat apart from the Emergency Exit window. My cousin Roner was next to me, my Mom and Mae together located in the front portion of the plane and Lloyd located at the very rear of the plane beside the window. The steward closed the door as the plane maneuvers to the runway. A stewardess taught us on how to use the Emergency Exit door in case something happens within our flight. Then the crew demonstrated on how to wear a life jacket and shown us a medium size poster located at the back of each seat about more information about how to deal with certain emergencies inside the plane.

The airplane was on the edge of the runway and I suddenly felt my anxiety heightened that time. The plane stopped for a moment then thrust forward as I hear the engine plane to their full power. I glanced to the window and saw that we’re speeding up until we lift off the ground. Yehey! I felt my stomach was going down like what I experience on a roller coaster going up. It was a spectacular experience for a first timer. I saw city lights from the planes window as the airplane make it’s turn. I was very very happy, my dream of flying was finally fulfilled.

We landed in Iloilo Domestic Airport 45 minutes later. We took pictures of ourselves outside where the plane was. I am happy that day. The experience I never had before.

One post left which is entitled “2-6 meter waves”. Click .

Translate this post