MRT Characters

Since I started working I've been riding the MRT every morning to go to work. It's the safest and fastest mode of transportation in the Metro. And God knows how happy I was when the MRT started to operate at 4am-12 midnight. The only thing I dread about riding the MRT is the rush hour. The platform turns in to a battlefield during rush hour. Also, going in and out of the train during rush hour is a struggle. I've heard a lot of different stories from friends about riding the MRT during rush hour. Some were funny and amusing while some are not so good. I've seen people become fierce and violent just to get inside the train. Everyday I hear people shouting at each other especially at Cubao station. Without a doubt the most fierce MRT riders are from Cubao station.

In more than a year riding the MRT I've notice certain types of people riding the train.

1. Bayani- these are the few people who are willing to give their seat to the elderly, a parent carrying his or her small child, pregnant women, and the disabled.
2. Manhid or the Blind- this type is the opposite of Bayani. Obviously, they couldn't care less if a pregnant woman or an elderly is having a hard time standing up while traveling.
3. Pushers- Ang mga pusher ang tagatulak ng bato. No this is not the illegal thingy. The pushers will push and push people especially the "bato" type of people so they can ride the train. Sometimes the meekest rider can turn in to a Pusher if needed.
4. Bato- Syempre kung may pusher may mga bato na dapat itulak. But like what I stated on item three, this is not the illegal stuff. Eto yung mga taong tinubuan na yata ng ugat sa kinatatayuan nila at di sila gagalaw or aalis sa kinatatayuan nila. This is the sub-type of manhid. They wouldn't even care whether they are blocking the way or hindering people from getting in or out of the train. Bato sila at di sila gagalaw sa pwesto nila unless maging pusher ka at itulak sila.
5. Surot- A surot is a type of insect that likes to hide in small places like a crack on a wooden floor or bed. This insect typically comes out at night and suck blood from people. Unlike the insect, the surot type passenger doesn't suck blood nor they only ride the train at night. Eto yung mga tao na mahilig sumiksik kahit wala ng masiksikan. Sometimes no matter how big this surot type of person is, he or she will still be able to cramp his or herself in a small space.
6. Magnetized- This is the type that is strongly attracted to the vertical pole or bar inside the train. Kahit gaano kaluwag sa gitna, makikipagkumpulan ang mga magnetized sa may door dahil nandun ang pole or vertical bar. This is a cross breed of manhid and bato. Care nila kung hinaharangan nila ang entrance at di makapasok yung ibang pasahero or di makalabas ang ibang tao. Masyado sila attracted sa pole eh, ayaw na nila itong bitawan hangga't di sila bababa.
7. Leaner- This is the level up version of magnetized crossed with manhid. Because a leaner loves the pole so much, he or she will not let other people hold on to it. He or she will lean on it. As in yung buong likod niya nakalapat sa vertical bar. The leaner wouldn't even care if people are already holding on to the pole. He or she will still lean on it. As a result the leaner wouldn't only be leaning on the pole but on to people's hand as well. Talk about being insensitive.
8. Confused- The confused type belongs to the male population only. No they are not confused about their sexuality. Rather, these men are not senior citizens, disabled, companion of a little child or a pregnant woman. These are men below 60 years old and they try to get in the first cart of the train. We all know that the first cart is for women, disabled and the elderly only. But sometimes yung mga makukulit eh magpupumilit pa din para lang makasakay agad.

From the list, what I don't like the most are the leaner and manhid. But I can be a pusher type if I'm not in the mood to be nice and I can be a bayani type if I'm feeling generous.