Sophisticated Clothes and Upward Tricycles

October 18, 2010

a tricycle in Pagadian

I had a class of a hundred and plus.  Half a day of discussion left me yearning for the comfort of rest.  It was a rather enjoyable lecture, and a productive one, if I might add.  Some students approached me after to ask for copies of my slides and teaching aids. Unfortunately that was against the rules, but I appreciated that they tried anyway.  That only meant that they learned something from my continuous babbling.  One guy seated at the back also asked if I were returning the next day, and he seemed pleased when I said that I would.  It’s little things like that that keep me going – knowing that I was getting through to them and knowing that they found my discussion relevant.

One of the staff told me that the guys asked her if I was married.  And then I thought, “Oh my gosh, do I really look that old?  Did I look old enough to be married?”  Days ago I looked in the mirror and thought that I was too young to be a lecturer and that I had to choose outfits that made me look more mature and sophisticated to maybe give me more integrity or believability – my boss had warned me that being young was a problem because people usually find it hard to believe what you’re saying.  I of course, chose clothes that were in tune for my age, but also projected a sense of class.  I don’t know.. I don’t know why the age thing is bothering me that much.

I don’t lie about how old I am when I introduce myself, but I always get gasps of surprise whenever I tell them I’m only 21.  I just think of it as a compliment; that I’ve come to have this job at a very young age.  And I thank the good Lord for that.

The motorcycle rides here are unbelievable.  By motorcycle, I mean the ones that have a third wheel and an extension compartment for passengers – you find that everywhere in the Philippines, except maybe in Manila where jeepneys and cabs rule the road.  Such motorcycles here, they call tricycles.  What’s unique about the ones here in Pagadian is that the passenger seats are inclined about 60 degrees facing up.  When you ride them it’s like you’re taking a trip to heaven.  You get the feeling that they might tip over, but remarkably enough, they don’t. 

They said the tricycles were designed that way in order to fit the terrain.  If you were going up the mountain the weight of the passengers wouldn’t be so hard on the motor, and if you were going down, you wouldn’t tip over and fall.  And another thing of note here is that there are no taxis or jeepneys anywhere.  The staff said jeepneys are for long-distance rides only – amazing.  When you look out the highways are filled with tricycles and a number of private cars.  I’ve never seen another city like this before.