DRIVING IN MANILA

[pajerokid]

DRIVING IN MANILA - fact of daily driving in the capital.
> >
> > Here's the pleasant truth about driving in Manila. Enjoy. =)
> >
> > If you ever in the need to drive on the streets of Manila the
following
> > rules may help you get to your destination in one piece.
> >
> > THE FILIPINO DRIVER GREETING:
> >
> > When greeting a Filipino driver, slowly lower your window and be
> > prepared
> > to greet the driver with,
> >
> > " Tang 'namo, bobo!"
> >
> > However, if you have been already addressed by a fellow driver, reply
> > with
> > a joyful,
> >
> > "'Tang 'namo rin, gago!"
> >
> > ON TURN SIGNALS:
> >
> > If a driver in another lane turns on the turn signal, do not let him
go
> > into your lane. In fact, press the accelerator and start driving
right
> > next to him/her. The fellow driver will probably greet you and you
> > already
> > know
> > what to do.
> >
> > ON TRAFFIC LIGHTS:
> >
> > These amusing artifacts hang from intersections for no apparent
reason.
> > Sometimes you will see drivers stop to see the colors change on these
> > lights
> > (a fascinating experience). Government officials (specifically
police)
> > believe that each color stands for an instruction for drivers to
> > follow.
> >
> > From pure observation I have determined the following instructions
for
> > each color:
> >
> > Green light - reduce speed and wait for the five to six cars passing
> > through their respective red lights. Time for street vendors to go
the
> > side walk or center island.
> >
> > Yellow light - accelerate your car as much as you can. Time for
street
> > vendors to ready their stuff for selling.
> >
> > Red light - this light gives permission to the next five to six cars
to
> > go
> > through. Time of street vendors to sell their stuff.
> >
> > Little-known-fact: Time to start honking your horn, as soon as the
light
> > turns green = 1.5 seconds.
> >
> >
> > ON STREET SIGNS
> >
> > Street signs are conditional things. They will only apply if you see
a
> > traffic aid or policeman nearby. If you don't see any in the
vicinity,
> > don't mind these signs. They will just confuse you more.
> >
> > They are very nice decorations though, especially those on the
tollways
> > that state the minimum and maximum speeds.
> >
> > During elections, these signs become useful for steamers and posters
of
> > those running for public office.
> >
> >
> > USING CELFONES
> >
> > While driving seems to be the best time to send text messages or to
make
> > a
> > call. Drivers seem to be familiar with multi-tasking work on
computers
> > that they have applied this while driving. Some even watch in-car TV
or
> > video and even videoke. It seems that the more you do while, driving,
> > the
> > better driver you are.
> >
> >
> > ON CHANGING LANES:
> >
> > Changing lanes has been elevated to an art form in the Philippines.
> >
> > First of all, no matter what you do, never ever turn on your turn
> > signal,
> > otherwise you'll stimulate the reaction described above. Second,
> > swerve
> > your car uncontrollably to the lane you want to change, preferably if
> > you
> > end up within inches of a car in that lane. At this point a
greeting
> > from
> > the other driver may be in order. To perfect your change of lanes,
> > reduce
> > the speed of your car dramatically in a matter of seconds and you
will
> > see
> > an action-packed reaction from the car behind you.
> >
> >
> > ON TRAFFIC JAMS:
> >
> > Traffic Jams are teeming with fun filled activities such as:
> >
> > 1. Honking your horn rhythmically.
> > 2. Putting on make-up (usually female drivers only).
> > 3. Nose-pickers sightseeing (not to be confused with people who
scratch
> > their brains through their nose).
> > 4. Reducing speed to watch whatever is causing the traffic jam. Add
> > excitement by trying to see if you know the parties involved.
> > (Note: Every Filipino driver is obliged to do this.)
> > 5. Losing weight by sweating like a pig as a result of a lack of air
> > conditioning.
> > 6. Greeting other drivers.
> > 7. Practicing lane changing.
> > 8. Playing the game: Let's see how close I can get to you before
rear-
> > ending you.
> > 9. Beat the highest score in your celfone.
> >
> >
> > ON PEDESTRIANS:
> >
> > These individuals are an annoyance to the Filipino driver. If you
see
> > pedestrians in your way, accelerate your car to let them know who's
the
> > boss. If you are at an intersection, let the pedestrians know you
want
> > to proceed by accelerating your car and honking at the last possible
> > moment.
> >
> >
> > ON SOCIAL SITUATIONS:
> >
> > Bumping into a friend while driving (not to be taken literally) is
> > joyful occasion. Drivers should reduce speed and stop their cars in
> > the
> > middle of the street and chit chat. What about other drivers?
> > Well, they can wait.
> >
> >
> > HANG YOUR OFFICE ID
> >
> > A lot of drivers seem to be proud of their occupation that they hang
> > their
> > ID right under the rearview mirror so that everyone can see. You
> > commonly
> > see PRESS, MILITARY, GOVERNMENT, POLICE IDs indicating how proud they
> > are
> > to be Filipinos. One problem though is that traffic officers seem to
> > snob
> > them, whatever attention-getting action they do.
> >
> >
> > ON HIGHWAY DRIVING:
> >
> > Bottleneck Formation - To accomplish this type of driving, cars must
> > block all lanes by driving at the same speed and side by side (to
avoid
> > other cars to pass). It is important to drive at a speed at least
20kph
> > below the speed limit.
> >
> > The Three-Lane-Change - This movement requires a lot of precision and
> > creativity. It should be done around the highest number of cars
> > possible
> > and in a matter of seconds to create what others may refer to as
> > widespread panic.
> >
> >
> > KEEP DOORS UNLOCKED AND WINDOWS WIDE OPEN
> >
> > Do this and you get to meet new friends who open up your friendship by
> > borrowing either your car or your celfone volunteer to have it checked
> > up
> > by the manufacturer/dealer. Some will even go to the extent of having
> > your
> > money checked if counterfeit, wallet checked if original or fake, and
> > have
> > watches and jewelries appreciated by pawn shops. Since they have your
> > celfone, you can call them anytime.
> >
> >
> > HERE'S ANOTHER RULE FOR DRIVING IN THE PHILIPPINES.
> >
> > When the lanes going in your direction are jammed with cars, try using
> > the
> > lanes from the oncoming traffic. They are probably not occupied
anyway
> > because the oncoming cars are stuck as well. How many of the other
> > direction's lanes should you occupy? As long as there are lanes from
> > the
> > other direction to occupy, go ahead and take more lanes.
> >
> > This move is sure to elicit previously mentioned greetings from
drivers
> > of the oncoming cars (and some have been known to get down from their
> > cars to personally deliver the greeting to the out-of-lane driver).
> > 9 out of 10 times it's sure to make the traffic worse but then, hey,
> > there's
> > that 1 in 10 chance that you might actually get through sooner than
all
> > those law-abiding losers.
> >
> > Filipino drivers think that 1 in 10 chance is reason enough to risk
> > their
> > life and limb and being profusely greeted (besides, you can always
turn
> > up
> > the windows and pretend that you don't hear the greeting from the
other
> > drivers).

[TJMaxx]

Manila! Manila!
If you can drive in here, you can
drive anywhere!!!

[pajerokid]

HELL YEAH! :twisted::mrgreen:

[ephraim]

hehehe... it's true... :mrgreen:

[Macky]

Ka-aliw :lol: Ka-miss rin

[mbt]

TJMaxx,

baka manibago yung mga typical Manila drivers sa mga lugar na strictly-enforced yung traffic rules haha :lol:

[Cale]

i guess that's true.....i tried driving there in PI when me and my family went home for a vacation...men..my cousin was yelling on me....why am i so stupid driving and i told him that's how we drive in US..not honking the horn..always use the turn signal...i guess my cousin didn't appreciate what i did.....:D

[jaspi11]

mismo.:lol:

[mbt]

Cale,

...and your cousin drove the rest of the way? :lol: jk...

[Cale]

Cale,

...and your cousin drove the rest of the way? :lol: jk...

no...i borrrowed his truck..a 1997 mitsubishi strada truck 2.5 liter turbo diesel
and drove by myself for the rest of our vacation...though i get lost sometime....but its was so exciting driving there..NO rules to follow...hehehe

peace out

cale