My classmates and I are currently on our way to school. Time check: 8:16 in the morning. There is a light drizzle outside, a light shower that continuously gives us hope of an upcoming cancellation of classes. The chances of that happening are pretty slim, but what the hey, hoping’s free.

The roads are wet and slippery, and the sound of the tires screeching against the pavement sounds scary. It’s always easier to imagine car wrecks in this kind of weather. There is light traffic on the road that comes and goes depending on the particular street or crossroad we are currently passing. The rain has nothing to do with it, neither does the time. Traffic is just a constant in the Philippines; a part of everyday Filipino life that can no longer be erased.

Piles of people are on the street, most with umbrellas while some have none. As with these types of weather, an empty jeepney (or cab) is always difficult to come by. Why is that?