THE BEEP CARD: BOOM OR DOOM?

Beep Card: Boom or Doom?

       The Light Rail Transit Authority and Metro Rail Transit recently activated the new ticketing system, popularly known as Beep. Since its activation, how was the performance of Beep so far?

       Beep is a reloadable smart card created to replace the old magnetic cards that is used for paying fares in rail transit transportation in Metro Manila. This card has two types, the single journey and the stored value card that can be purchased through the ticketing machines provided in the various train stations.

       Beep is also known as the "tap-and-go" card, because people would just tap the card on the turnstile machine and they can go. Take note that this is ONLY applicable to stored value cards, not the single journey ones. The single journey ones still follow the old-style way by inserting the card on the turnstile machine.

       Yes, LRT's new ticketing machines had been taken to the next level of technological advancement, but it received negative feedback from netizens, especially today.

       Beep machines were already placed in train stations way back summer of 2015. But, even these machines are still covered in plastic, it was already bashed by the public. (I have to admit this photo is true, but we all got a sliver of hope that this would be better than the old one.) (Credits to the owner of the photo.)

       But when it began operating on July, all of us wished to have the old ticketing system back.

       Here are the rules of the old ticketing system:
       1) Buy a magnetic card, single journey or stored value.
       2) Insert it in the turnstile machine and off you go.
       3) For stored value card holders, you get to have a free ride on the last remaining one peso or five peso amount in your card.

       For Beep (stored value card):
       1) Buy the card, and separately buy the load for your card.
       2) If someone ahead of you tapped the card on the turnstile machine, you have to wait for two seconds before you tap yours. You have to wait for the green arrow to appear, then you can tap and go.
       3) If your card doesn't reach the needed amount for your destination, you have to reload it first. Worse, if your card has enough amount for the next station, but not on the last station, you have to reload it before making your way out.
       4) Sorry, no more free ride for you.

       My hope for a better ticketing system suddenly vanished. I am just one of those commuters that is suffering the wrath of Beep everyday. We all know that MRT and LRT 1 always have this legendary crowd control and long lines of people buying tickets everyday. Long before Beep was announced, the ticketing machines were already closed and people have to line up to the Passenger's Assistance Office to purchase tickets. Due to these two or three long lines, there are times that you don't even know which of these leads to the PAO or the entrance to the station or to the turnstiles. Damn it.

The legendary Line of Doom at the Santolan Station LRT Line 2. (Aug. 24, 2015)

       In this time of the Beep card, the long lines have doubled and crowd controls were worse than the stampede at Ultra. Worse, most of the new turnstiles and ticket machines are not open for operations. What? Why?

       Let me tell you my story.

       The Santolan station in LRT 2 is jam packed that morning, and heat is circulating inside the station. I was running late for school and I still have to reload my Beep card. Out of the five or six machines on the right side of the station, only three of it were working.

       A man suddenly had an outburst while facing the 5th machine for it suddenly stopped operating. I was in line on the first machine, but after a few minutes, I had never felt any progress on getting nearer the machine. I'm starting to get irritated for I'll be late in class again. I watched an employee approach the 5th machine and the man, then tried fixing the machine, but with no luck. I looked behind me and saw a "snakes and ladders" kind of line that goes all the way out of the station. Not a good sight.

       The man began shouting, "Ang dami-dami nitong machine niyo bakit iilan lang ang gumagana?! Tapos pipila pa ako ng pagkahaba-haba dito sa kabila?!" A police officer told him to just fall in line on the Passenger's Assistance Office and get a card. Still, he has to fall in the long and winding line. Poor guy.

       When he left, a female employee that was standing beside the first machine grinned to her fellow employee and said, "Ano sabi sayo? Pabayaan mo siya magwala." Okay, I want to punch her face. Provide a better service first before you utter those words. Hey, we are your customers! Watch your manners!

       When I finally reloaded my card, I need to go back to find the end of the line for the turnstiles. I need to get away from the rude employee, or else I would have made an outburst too.

       Shit, I'm really late. I don't understand why the lines are too long, but upon seeing the six or seven turnstiles, only two are working. Wow, so much for a new ticketing system.

       Many people around me are already complaining, shouting, but Beep employees doesn't address their complaints. Why implement a new system when not all machines are available for operations? Or, why activate the machines if they're not yet ready?

       Another cause of delay are the people lining up for the turnstiles. Some people are tapping the single journey card or inserting the stored value card on the machines, and the employees would tell them the right way. It's taking time, for people are still used to the old ticketing system, and maybe love it still than adapting to this new one.

       On my other LRT journey story, I was in line with a woman complaining and shouting to the employee saying, "Nale-late lagi ang mga tao dito dahil sa sistema na to eh! Bago nga, di naman ginagamit yung iba! Para saan pala itong iba dito? Display? Design?!" The employee apologized but the woman kept on ranting, "Sorry kayo nang sorry, ayusin niyo ito!"

       Other passengers in line were silent, merely because silence means yes.

You and me, baby, we're stuck like glue.

       If the management of LRT and MRT thinks that Beep has managed to lessen the doomed lines in their train stations, well think again. Train fares have increased but the service is not enough. Aside from the complaints of people regarding Beep, most of the escalators aren't working and the trains' airconditioning is not open. I'll never forget the day when I went out from the train looking like a glazed doughnut. No matter how much I try to fan myself, the air that my fan gives is also hot. Worst idea.

       Just a simple suggestion to the authorities, kindly make the service worthwhile. Fix the escalators and open the airconditioning. Have all the turnstiles and machine work. If these are all working, then maybe Beep won't be a problem. Also, buy new trains! Where does our money go then? Are you saving it for a new set of trains aside from the new MRT prototype trains from China (jeez) or keeping it in your pockets? Why buy the ticketing system first but not assess the needs of people for more trains? You can control the crowd, yes, but not the growing population.

       And for the commuters, change is gradual. Sometimes we have no choice but to adapt to what is served for us. Today we complain, but tomorrow we may not. Though some of us may still don't know how to use Beep, we will learn in the process and get used to it soon.

       Soon sounds a long time, but let's just go with the flow, shall we?

The Power of Faith

                         

My panorama shot at the Quirino Grandstand on Sunday, January 19, 2015. 

             During our sports writing class, our professor made us read an article and tell him what's wrong in it. We asked him why the writer wrote "a virtual sea of humanity" instead of simplifying it into the word "crowd". He nodded his head while he laughed and observed that we're learning. Today, we're still laughing on that statement every time it's mentioned in class. It never gets old, haha.

              But during Pope Francis' 5-day pastoral and state visit, I forgot to laugh at that statement for I have proven it literally. Let me tell you my story. :)
   
             My family and I decided to come at the huge gathering on Sunday at the Quirino Grandstand, where Pope Francis will conduct his Concluding Mass at 3:30 pm. The plan was to stay there for a night, but my Mom said it's risky for me that I may have an asthma attack there in the dead of night. I tried to tell her that I'll be fine, that I prepared for strength and stealth, but she declined.

             So there goes plan B, where we left home at 4 in the morning the following day. We took a bus ride to Pasay, and walked from there to Luneta. Many people were lying on sidewalks on used sacks, tarpaulins or anything big enough were they can take a sleep. It was still dark then, and to get to our destination we need to step over sleeping people. Upon reaching Maria Orasa Ave., we got stuck in a "virtual sea of humanity". It's too crowded that I can't even see my feet nor move my hands. I got stomped on my feet, pressed between bags, pushed involuntarily and worse, I'm seeing tiny dots whenever I blink. I'm in the verge of suffocation there. I need to tiptoe and raise my head to breathe air. Thankfully, it's working and the tiny dots were gone. I told my family to do the same, so we won't lose consciousness there. I got more nervous when I saw someone near us fainted, a child maybe 10 years of age.

              It was televised that the gates to Luneta will open at 6 am, but it didn't open at the said time--which led to a mob of furious and irritated people. They got so bored that they made jokes about the time saying, "Hoy! 3:30 na andito pa rin kami!" (Hey! It's 3:30 pm already and we're still here!) I myself joined the joke time session and I felt relieved somehow from my verge of suffocation problem when most of the people around me laughed, even my family. I held my phone to my ear and mockingly said, "Tsip Tolentino! Pakibuksan na ang gate!" (Chief Tolentino, open the gates now!)

The "virtual sea of humanity"

             In between jokes and laughter, volunteers were struggling to get over the fence on our right. They said they need to get in there now. The guard thought of this for a while, then decided to let them in as long as they would show an ID. One citizen attempted to get in, and every one of us shouted, "Hey! You aren't even a volunteer!", for he wasn't able to show any ID. The guy staggered backwards and smiled at all of us. His smile was irritating that I would volunteer to punch him in the face. There was also a guy wearing a plain white shirt and said that he's a soldier and he must get over the fence. He keep on shouting "excuse me!" but was ignored by the people. My brother, who was in front of him got pissed and said, "We can't even move here", but he insisted that he's a soldier and all that. Eventually, the "soldier" (where none of us believed) got in. Actually, we were waiting that the guard would tell him that he can't cross since he has no ID, but he really made it. Great.

            We were moving a half-inch every minute, and I'm about to lose hope to get to Luneta. But it grew once again when I felt that I need to step below the gutter. There's movement now, though it's very frail. Then I found myself facing a barricade, so I was standing on "what used to be a sidewalk" at that time. Remember, there's really a sea of people. Not a single glimpse of road can be seen.

           Anyway, my mother insisted that I get on the road because she felt it's the right way. I forced myself to walk an inch from where I stand, and she got mad at me. When there's no point in arguing with her, I decided to take a step toward them. But, everything was so sudden, I was driven by the force of people and was taken inside the barricade. I almost stumbled, gladly my mother's friend who came with us gripped me in the arm and she, too, was pushed by the people with me. When I looked back, I saw a group of policemen controlling the crowd and pushing them back. I also saw parents and brother follow, then a police officer shouted, "Wag na muna kayong lumingon! Diretso ang lakad!" (Don't take a look back! Keep moving forward!)

           So I did, tagging my mom's friend along with me. We walked with a man who spoke with me saying that he was pushed away by the people, I agreed with him saying that I had the same experience. Next, he complained about the reeking smell of urine on a nearby tree. I vomited, but nothing came out. He laughed when he saw my face, I laughed back at him.

          At the end of the barricades, we reached the clearing. I exclaimed success, "HOO!" and breathed heavily. My family emerged from behind and was glad we made it out of that stampede. It was 7 am when the gates opened. Huge gathering or not, Filipinos are really stuck to the "Filipino time" attitude.

          My dad has his own quarters beside Luneta. It was closed, but the security guard on duty knew him when my dad called. We were able to get in and filed in to pee. After that, we were back on the road, and it isn't a clearing anymore, it was full of people, like a wave washed over the shore. Here it was again, the people was starting to close in as the gate nears. As we walked, a woman was furiously talking beside me and mentioned about the failure of following time schedules. I smiled and agreed with her. I told her that it's alright, and glad that we're already nearing the entrance. She smiled back then I never saw her again.

             It's a long and tiring walk to the Grandstand. On the first half of Luneta, we can still walk normally, without getting hurt like what happened earlier. But, as we progress, the space was losing again, and there's no turning back. This one was worse, because people were coming back the way we came, and we don't know why. I heard one said they were looking for a ticket. For what?

             I felt relieved when we saw the monument of Jose Rizal, which means we're nearing the road to the Grandstand. I scanned the park, and was surprised to see that on the other side, people were also struggling to get to the Grandstand, and many people were lying on mats and tents in the middle of Luneta.

            I still haven't found out why there are people going back looking for a ticket. My mom eventually figured out that they're looking for tickets to the restroom. A group of college boys on our right and one of them asked their friends, "Ui, paano na tayo iihi neto?" (Hey, how are we going to pee now?) People laughed, even my mom. She said, "Dapat nag-diaper na lang kayo, haha". To my surprise, one replied, "Naka-napkin po kami, haha" I laughed at that, when I looked at the guy who spoke, I noticed that he was good-looking. He smiled and I did, then looked away. HAHAHA :) I have doubts about this guy's gender. HAHAHA :) Don't worry, Pope Francis accepts LGBTs. :D

           We're almost on the road to the Grandstand, then a man beside us said, "Buti pa si Rizal kitang-kita si Pope". We laughed at that one, haha :)

           Finally, we get to cross the road! When we reached the Kalabaw, a statue in front of the Grandstand, I was surprised to see that it isn't crowded. We found a good spot, in the stairs in front of the Grandstand facing Luneta.

 

          It's already 9am, but we still have to wait for a few hours before Pope Francis arrives. After a while, it started to drizzle. People weren't allowed to bring umbrellas, so we're all stuck to using our plastics to cover our heads. My brother was making fun of us saying we look like street people and even took pictures of us. I laughed when I saw my face. HAHAHA :) I looked like someone waiting for relief goods. LOL!

            As every hour passes, the temperature goes down. It's getting cold and the drizzle turns to rain. I observed the resourcefulness of the people trying to keep themselves dry, but they got wet eventually. Still, even if they're freezing and their clothes soaked, they never cared. To witness the Pope was the opportunity that the people were holding onto. Besides, the cold never bothered them anyway. :) So are we. :)

People's makeshift raincoats (the one on the left is a real one, haha)

          The essential thing here is, you must have food, extra clothes and must not drink too much water because not every part in Luneta has portalets. Also, the water refilling station isn't near from where we are, so we have to save enough for later--the more reason not to drink too much.

It's me and my makeshift plastic hat :D 

             At noon, the announcer priest said we'd all pray the rosary for the rain to stop. I didn't know I fell asleep after the first mystery. I woke up and heard that it's already the fifth one. After that, the crowd dance the Sinulog dance while waiting for Pope Franics. Then, at 2 o'clock, I ran near the barricades as Pope Francis will arrive any minute, because I overheard that the Pope left the nunciature early.

           When I heard, the domino effect of shouts and screams of delight of the people from my left, I knew he's near. I tiptoed until I hurt my foot just to see him, I lost my makeshift plastic hat and got soaked in the rain. I shouted at a woman near the barricade who won't close her umbrella. I raised my phone higher for a video even if it rained. I believe in the strength of my phone at the time.

             So when Pope Francis arrived, I barely saw him. The pope mobile rode too fast and I only saw his face for a nanosecond. When he was in front of us, he looked at his left and I saw most of his back. But when he passed, I felt something different. It's like all my pain were washed away, from the stampede I've been through and my freezing body. I was too stunned to cheer like the crowd did. I just stared and stood there. I forgot I was mad at the woman who won't close her umbrella. I didn't know what happened to me out there, but I guess that's what it feels like to be holy, to be free of any sin or pain.

          When I got back to my parents, they said he waved at their direction. I wished I had stayed there instead. I looked the gate of the Grandstand, it seems that the people were a huge lock there, which makes it impossible for us to get inside. After a moment, we decided to just get back to dad's quarters and watch the mass on TV.  We were freezing cold, it's like my insides have turned to ice. And I have made the decision to go to Villamor Air Base tomorrow to get a last chance to get a glimpse of Pope Francis.

          When I looked in the mirror, I smiled, even though I'm a bit disappointed for not seeing him long enough. I smiled because even for a moment, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. I smiled because I saw Pope Francis. I'm wearing the smile he always wears when he sees the people. All the sacrifices we made to get there ended up with a smile. It felt good to get soaked in the rain again, too. :)

-----

             I had never seen the Philippines this happy for five days. It's been 20 years since we were last visited by a Pope, and nothing could replace the joy of many Filipinos.

             From where we stood earlier, I saw the very huge crowd. I looked at the hovering helicopter above us, wondering what the"virtual sea of humanity" looks like below. My estimate of the number of people was 6-8 million, I hope my range was right. The people that I have encountered earlier remained positive and turned all the bad vibes into jokes to make themselves and others laugh. They ignored the hardships they've been through and smiled through it. They're so good at doing that, that it was very contagious that I joined them. Despite the cold weather, the people stayed to get a glimpse of His Holiness, to be blessed and to be forgiven. They said the rain that won't stop is a blessing. It's like the sky rained holy water and everyone was blessed.

It's the faith that binds and keeps us together. That's the power of faith. :)

Thank you very much, Pope Francis. :D I hope that you'll come back in the Philippines soon. :)