Skip to main content

December 20, 2019 | Ugh, This Could Be My Worst Traffic Jam Day In Edsa, Metro Manila

December 20, 2019 | Ugh, This Could Be My Worst Traffic Jam Day In Edsa, Metro Manila

Yesterday was a tough commute. Stuck on Edsa for what felt like forever due to countless Payday Friday mall sales, and moronic drivers swerving left and right like snakes in the wild. So this leads me to shout, "This could be my worst traffic experience!"

It was horrible! The day practically stood still.


Prologue

I don't go to Makati City that often. I'm the type that worries about the lack of parking spaces and in there you can't always just like pull over and park. But what can I do? I have a very pressing commitment and I have to be there.

And there's the dreaded Edsa traffic jam.

To the uninitiated, Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) and Makati City has the most epic road dramas. You’re forced to leave house when the sky is still on the dark side (say, 4.30am) to reach your office that seems so far, far away. Exit from your house any later and it's a trap – meet the hundreds of thousands of irate drivers who’ll always want to axe your head off. These hot-headed motorists have no interest in restoring peace and justice to Edsa and Makati.

If you’re new to driving (and if you use stick), don't be afraid. Once you’ve experienced Edsa, you’ll leave Edsa a learner, and venture into the streets of Makati City a true master driver!




When in Makati City.

In going to Makati City yesterday, I used the Manila route even when I was coming from Quezon City. Simply because I needed to stay away from Edsa as far as I can. But, alas, and to my dismay, traffic was equally bad in Manila and I reached my destination two and a half hours later! It's totally unacceptable, and the honking behind me when I parked for a while along Buendia is definitely not a form of obvious appreciation and encouragement. Buendia, aka Gil Puyat Avenue, transformed into a gridlocked parking lot – commuting now has become camping.

Ending? I parked inside a gasoline station, spoke with their lady manager and pretended to be lost. She was accommodating, allowed me to park, and offered me a cup of coffee (which I paid for, by the way.) It was only then that I had the chance to park and leave my car there, and proceeded to do my business with Makati City.

(NOTE: In case you're wondering why I didn't just parked in a pay parking area and save me the trouble of telling what I consider a white lie – ANSWER: I'm not in favor of paying the exorbitant parking fee. It's a rip-off and I don't want to be ripped off! And the fact that I only needed 30 minutes to finish my appointment there, so what's the point in paying.)


Going Home.

I decided to use Edsa on my way home. I thought, "What the heck! I was able to endure 2.5 hours of Manila traffic, I might as well use the shorter route along Edsa and endure another 2.5 hours!"

And so I did endure. That is to say, I can, in the comfort of my own car as my air-conditioning whips me into a sweet lull of inactivity, sit in that state of standstill traffic for hours as I contemplate my life and the evening’s dinner – I'm so lucky to only inch forward at 5 kilometers per hour. At its busiest stretch from Guadalupe to SM Megamall, where merging traffic from Pateros and Pasig enter the main motorway, you can compete with your fellow drivers for a chance at the fantastic, frenzied 5km/h experience of trying to get home. It’s the stuff of dreams.



SM Megamall. 
The scourge, the whip and the instrument of punishment!

The Guadalupe to SM Megamall stretch is divided into three sections – Guadalupe, Pioneer-Boni Avenue and SM Megamall. When I was stuck in the flood of cars, I can only watch the sun and a sea of glittering red brake lights while rolling past Guadalupe and Boni Avenue. Alternatively, if you prefer something a little darker, there’s always the Crossing-Shaw Boulevard Tunnel. And herein lies one of Edsa's greatest traits. You get to make choices. Because whichever section you pick to get stuck in during a major traffic jam, they all lead to a common bottleneck – SM Megamall. And when you’re in front of SM Megamall, you even get to think why in the heck it was built there in the first place! Please, folks, let's remove SM Megamall from Edsa.


Epilogue

We all know that dreaded feeling of getting stuck in traffic jams during rush hours and it definitely isn’t fun as we are quite literally wasting our time.

So, what did I discover yesterday, December 20, 2019 in Edsa and Makati City? It's the best and worst place to be stuck on and think about life, because what is life in Metro Manila without traffic jams!


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS POST?
Share your ideas by commenting.

Comments

Popular Posts

How much is the penalty for 5 years late registration of motorcycles?

UPDATED December, 2020 Got late in your motorcycle registration renewal? Driving an unregistered motor vehicle carries with it a fine of P3,000 if apprehended by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officers and P10,000 if by LTO traffic personnel. Worse, if the non-registration exceeded one month, the vehicle will be impounded and released only once the vehicle has been registered and the corresponding fines and penalties have been paid. To help you prepare for your visit at the LTO, here's a brief guide on how much money you're going to spend on your motorcycle registration renewal. READ: Complete Guide To nCoV: How Not To Misinform Yourself About The Coronapocalypse What's covered in this guide? 1. LTO penalty formula by weeks 2. Sample computation (if 5 years late) 3. How to renew your motorcycle registration  - Requirements  - 5 step guide YOU MAY WANT TO WATCH:  Motorcycle Transfer of Ownership and Renewal of Registration ...

Globe expands broadband reach to speed up digital inclusion

Globe is reinforcing its commitment to digital inclusion by expanding access to its fiber broadband services, strategically utilizing previously built network capacity.  Through targeted investments and customer insighting, Globe is enabling more Filipino households and small businesses to participate meaningfully in the country’s digital future. “Fixed broadband continues to be a growth engine for the business.  We see user data consumption now surging past 30 GB/month per user.  We are fine tuning our fiber strategy to more than connectivity, it’s about empowering households, enabling SMEs, and growing the digital economy,” said Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz. According to the Digital 2025 Report, Filipinos spend almost nine hours online daily.   This shows digital services are now integral to everyday life, making high-quality broadband more crucial than ever. Despite this, fixed broadband access is still incon...

Going for Gold: McDonald’s launches new Golden Chicken Curry Fillet

McDonald’s Philippines is bringing Crispy Chicken Fillet to its golden era with the launch of the new Golden Chicken Curry Fillet, an exciting take on the beloved McDonald’s meal now served with rich and flavorfulGolden Chicken Curry sauce. The Golden Chicken Curry sauce is a rich, velvety sauce made with an equally rich blend of spices and complemented by the creaminess of coconut. This sauce brings a warm, savory kick that perfectly goes with McDonald’s Crispy Chicken Fillet. It’s so flavorful and satisfying, everyone will want extra rice just to enjoy every last drop. “With the Golden Chicken Curry Fillet, we’re giving our customers an exciting new flavor experience that delivers on flavor, satisfaction, and value, the things they already love about McDonald’s. This exciting addition to our menu appeals to those looking to try new tastes and flavorful adventures to their meals, while at the same time enjoying what they have come to love ...

What to do when you get a HIT on your NBI clearance

A "Hit" on your NBI clearance after your long queue at the NBI satellite office. UPDATED January 2020 Department of Justice (DOJ) Circular 017, or the multi-purpose clearance does  away with the usual separate applications for domestic employment, travel abroad, gun licensing and many others, thereby making it easier for people to obtain and use an NBI clearance. Are you applying for your NBI clearance? The National Bureau of Investigation office has stopped entertaining walk-ins after the implementation of the fully online application process for NBI clearance. The registration and appointment system for the NBI clearance are done online nationwide. Applicants may accomplish the application form at www.doj.gov.ph/nbi , www.nbi.gov.ph , and clearance.nbi.gov.ph . READ: Complete Guide To nCoV: How Not To Misinform Yourself About The Coronapocalypse After registering online, applicants may proceed to any of the NBI sites nationwide for the payment and biom...

Live better and smarter with more immersive entertainment from the Xiaomi TV A Pro 2026

In today’s fast-paced world, the living room has become more than just a space for relaxation; it’s a personal cinema, a gaming arena, and a smart hub for the entire home. Nobody understands this evolution of the home better than Xiaomi. That’s why it’s introduced the Xiaomi TV A Pro 2026 series, a stunning lineup of state-of-the-art smart televisions designed to seamlessly blend cutting-edge technology with sophisticated style. Simply put, this series is crafted to be the vibrant centerpiece of any modern Filipino home. The Xiaomi TV A Pro 2026 is engineered not just for viewing, but for experiencing. It’s for the family settling in for a weekend movie marathon, the gamer seeking a competitive edge, and the design-conscious individual who believes technology should beautify a space. A Design That Complements Your Space Before you even turn it on, the Xiaomi TV A Pro 2026 makes a statement. Its sleek, single-piece metal frame and ultra-t...

What the LTO says about changing mag wheels, rims and tires of your car, motorcycle

The new LTO PMVIC, or the Land Transportation Office - Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers, has started operations in some parts of the country for inspections of cars and motorcycles due for registration renewal. Dubbed as MVIS (Motor Vehicle Inspection System), it aims to test the roadworthiness of private and commercial vehicles prior to their registration. This also includes the checking of modifications, upgrades and accessories that have been installed on your vehicles - whether factory or aftermarket. If they don't meet LTO standards, you fail the test. Failing the MVIS test means you have to retake the inspection and worse, you can't register your vehicle any more. For purposes of discussion, I chose to talk about wheels and tires because they are the most frequently modified parts of our cars and motorcycles. Now comes the question: Is it considered illegal to replace your wheels with aftermarket mag wheels? Can those u...

Top 3 reasons why the realme 14 5G stands out as a must-have for everyday use

Whether it’s a packed weekday or a busy weekend, users need a device that’s durable, powerful, and built for convenience. This is where the realme 14 5G excels: it’s a slim, stylish, high-performance, and reliable daily essential. Measuring just 7.97mm, it’s light, easy to hold, and perfect for one-handed use. Available in Storm Titanium, Warrior Pink, and Mecha Silver, its Mecha-inspired design blends sleek edges with a modern finish that suits any OOTD.   To demonstrate how it goes beyond the basics, realme highlights some of the core strengths that make the 14 5G a reliable choice for daily use. Power That Starts Early and Stays Late At its core is the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 5G processor, which brings a 35% boost in GPU performance and a 15% increase in CPU speeds compared to the previous generation. That means smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and lag-free gameplay,  whether fans are editing a reel, hopping between ...

Bethel Insurance offers first-of-its-kind special premium refund on motor car insurance

Just like a house, owning a car is a lifetime investment. If you already own a car, you know that it requires special attention and care. You know that it spends most of its time driving on roads and is exposed to many risks and dangers. Which is why you get a motor insurance coverage.  A motor insurance coverage helps us recover financially from unforeseen events, such as car accidents or injuries and, at times, loss of life. In exchange for this coverage, we get our car insured and pays a premium to an insurance company.  In addition to the premium, it’s also important to consider the reputation of the insurer, the service it provides and the product it offers.  BETHEL GENERAL INSURANCE  Bethel General Insurance is a good choice for a motor insurance coverage. It is an affordable provider that gives excellent customer service to its clients.  Formerly the BF General Insurance Company, a well-established insurance company...

Introducing Venu X1: Garmin’s ultrathin smartwatch with an industry-leading 2-inch display

Sleek smartwatch sets the trend with lightweight materials and a built-in speaker, mic and LED flashlight Garmin announces the Venu® X1, setting new standards in the smartwatch industry with an ultrathin design, revolutionary 2-inch display and superior battery life. Venu X1 fuses a titanium caseback with a scratch-resistant sapphire lens and an easy-to-read AMOLED display—all with an 8mm watch case. It also features a built-in speaker and microphone so users can make and take calls from the wrist1, plus a bright LED flashlight that provides greater awareness in the dark. And with up to 8 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, it’s easy to do more and charge less. “Venu X1 is the perfect blend of form, function and style. Not only does it pack all of Garmin’s most popular features into a slim profile, but the large display makes it easy to see everything from preloaded maps and workout stats to health insights and smart notifications...

Foodies, Fashionistas, Content Creators—This Challenge is for You!

Dining out at Estancia and Capitol Commons is getting a stylish upgrade. From now until July 31, Ortigas Land invites foodies, fashion lovers, and everyday creatives to join Dine & Style—a one-of-a-kind social media challenge that pairs your outfit with your order, turning every dining moment into a bold style statement. The challenge is deliciously simple: wear an outfit that matches your meal or drink, snap a creative shot or reel, and post it on Instagram and Facebook. Think pastel co-ords with a strawberry milkshake, or a breezy neutral look that mirrors your brunch spread. Dine & Style is your chance to blend personal expression with everyday indulgence. “We wanted to transform the everyday experience of dining out into something playful and expressive—giving customers a chance to showcase their unique fashion sense, too. By collaborating with influencers, we’re adding a fresh and creative twist that stands out from traditional...