The Next BUS

June 26, 2006 (06:15 PM)


EVERYTHING CHANGES WHEN YOU HAVE FAITH. I was well on my way to Eastern Samar that fated October 2005 afternoon. I was catching up with the last Eagle Star trip when I got stuck with the lesser convenient bus, one whose name I don't even want to give credit here.


From Calbayog, Eastern Samar is like a five-hour trip by land. 30 minutes on our way, the lesser convenient bus backed down and we were left stranded in the middle of nowhere, amidst the heavy rain, and just a meek little hut, owned by two old-timers, to take shelter.


LESSON No.01: Don't take a bus that looks as if it's going to disintegrate any moment. NO MATTER THE URGENCY!


The next hour or so, I and 10 other of my companions who opted not to hike to the next municipality which was about 60 kilometers away, waited by that meek little hut until the next available bus will drive by to usher us to our destination. We waited. Literally.


LESSON No.02: Make sure to have enough PATIENCE and positive vibes, especially on travel. Example, when your bus suddenly collapses don't look at the driver, rather kick the bus and get it out of your system!


Am I making any sense here? No? Okay, let's drill this further. So, there we were by the meek little hut, hopes down and hungry because the clock was racing towards lunch break and not a sign of an available bus, which can accommodate all of us. We only had three options to look at. The rice field stretched to our right, the narrow and forsaken Samar road and each other. There was no store to speak of where we can seek refuge for our temporary famine. So instead of looking into the rice field, which could remind us of our hunger, or the road ahead, which will just heighten our depression, we looked at each other and started talking.


LESSON No.03: NO MAN IS AN ISLAND.


When we started talking, we learned that we actually got into the same bus going towards the same destination but for different purposes. One of them said he was in Samar to meet up his relatives; another was a couple that was there to explore this part of the Visayas. Two young girls were headed back to Catbalogan to try and book a trip back to Manila. Two other guys were on a scheduled trade check. I was on a road show of merchandising implementations and already behind schedule. We got to relax just talking. We even managed to forget that we haven't had lunch yet.


LESSON No.04: On the verge of world's colliding always have a prepared PLAN B. In the midst of war make sure to have back up for ammunition so as not to run short, or the enemy will close in on you.


Just as we were relaxing into each other's company, a half-empty bus drove by which was traveling not all the way to our desired destination but it could take us as far as the next terminal where we could catch a next ride. That next bus could've been the saving grace of it all if not for this:


LESSON No.05: HAVE FAITH.FAITH is where you put your TRUST when everything else blurs. FAITH is the HOPE that lingers when everyone else has turned his or her backs on you. FAITH is the unconditional factor in LOVE.


What I learned in the entire time that I was stranded with all those wonderful people is that no matter how pinned you are to the ground, you always have the option to get up, even without anyone's help in the meantime. That when help is not on the way immediately it doesn't altogether mean that your rescue will not happen. Get up and be enriched by all the goodness with which you have been taught when you were down there.


I was having this candid, somewhat wishful chat with Tyrine, when I asked her:


"When I think about it, I get excited. Ano kaya next jobs natin noh?"


She replied in a wacky mood:


"Managers! Hahaha! Joke."


Then she switched to a more serious tone:


"I know God will give us the Best. Yung tipong masasabi na lang natin na, 'Ah kaya pala di binigay sa akin yung dati kong gusto! Kasi pala may mas magandang darating! Galing talaga ni God!' "


(I KNOW GOD WILL GIVE US THE BEST. IT'S LIKE WE TELL OURSELVES, "THAT WAS WHY MY HEART'S DESIRE WASN'T GRANTED, BECAUSE HE HAD SOMETHING BETTER PLANNED TO COME MY WAY. GOD IS SO GOOD!)


Beautiful attitude. Yes. EVERYTHING CHANGES WHEN YOU HAVE FAITH.


Copyright ©2006 Theren Alexander