Polibiz
A trip too long
Gone are the days when traveling by boat bound to Manila is an exciting experience for the Ilonggos particularly passengers coming from Iloilo, Negros Occidental and other neighboring provinces.
Passengers aboard would spend their time strolling the upper deck of the vessel to get a better glimpse of a sunset enticing a romantic atmosphere with friends and relatives. Some would dare befriending strangers; others indulge themselves in playing cards and other form of social activities. Definitely gossip is one of them -- being considered as the cheapest and the most accessible leisure time for a quickie.
But those were the days when computer technology was still stranger to mankind. Our needs are very simple then, far from the complexity of today's lifestyle.
It has always been an ordeal for those who failed to purchase tickets prior to or on the day of departure. Others, especially the women, to some extent, would growl or engage themselves in a hair pulling to get a chance for a precious ride.
In peak seasons, during summer and Christmas holidays, it is a nightmare occurrence to watch a family with their young children tagging along, forcing themselves in the line to board. Passengers are left with no choice but to bear the inconvenience if only to get a ride. Those were the days when only a single shipping company, the Negros Navigation Co. Inc., (NN) has the monopoly.
Once aboard, a feeling of relief and contentment overwhelms every single passenger for passing through the "hell." Those were the days.
Decades later, since the first man landed on the moon, a different kind of marketing scheme invades both the sea and air transport industry.
Shipping networks in particular would engage local film actors to sell their products through television medium. Or at the same time encourage them for a partnership investment through stock sharing.
In my recent foray to Manila, I felt amused and at the same time pathetic watching porters dancing under the scorching heat of the sun as the vessel approach the port to dock. Primarily their antic is to entertain arriving passengers but this has given me a different kind feeling, absurd to say the least.
Do these porters also enjoy what they are doing, or they simply comply to make them appear tourist friendly? The same routine takes place in every port of entry covered by NN. When you see one, you see them all.
Even the services and foods, no matter how much I tried to keep it to myself, still I found it hard to appreciate. Everything in the vessel has a price. Asking a plastic spoon and a fork to use for eating your meals served in a Styrofoam could be embarrassing if one forgets to pay a few pesos in return.
I was even shocked when I had the chance to treat myself for a dinner in their dining area. Posted on the wall obviously for everyone to read it, says: 1-main dish (a choice of 1-small size hotdog or chorizo, etc.), 1-side dish (a choice of one boiled egg or less than a half-filled of dried noodles in a saucer) and a scoop of rice costs P65.00.
A week later on my way back to Iloilo the amount increased to P70.00 for the same stuff.
Passengers have no right to complain, so do I, after all it is part of the business enterprise. Moral lesson: bring your own "baon" for four square meals in anticipation for a long trip.
Despite personal observations I made in the course of the trip, Negros Navigation should still be commended for their concern to the passengers.
When a female passenger felt critically ill just when we left the port for about 15 minutes, company physician Dr. Aldous Fernandez made the right decision to go back to the bayside. A very young lad, Leonard Cruz, the vessel service officer, was also there supervising the whole bits and pieces. A private tugboat Sta. Maria reportedly owned by Peace Corps met us halfway to pick up the passenger and directly brought her to Gat Andres Medical Center in Del Pan, Tondo, Manila to save her from the brink of death.
Well life isn't always fair. Sometimes one enjoys the luxury of time while others get upset.
In my case it's really a long trip to bear, but, gee thanks I survived though.