In my previous post, you learned that I was only 10 when I received my first driving lesson from my dear father in my hometown Marbel, South Cotabato. Through the succeeding years, Tatay would bring me to vast vacant lots where I could hone my driving skills.
Fast forward when it was crucial for me to use a delivery van in Metro Manila for my garments subcontracting business. Nanay would only allow me to drive if I formally enrolled in a Driving School. For her, Tatay was a reckless driver. She did not trust him to have taught me the right way to drive. She believed that the only way to learn proper driving was from a reputable Driving School. To further convince me, she hinted that she would shoulder the Tuition Fee if I did enroll.
Just to ease my mother’s mind (plus the fact that she was the one paying heheheh…), I enrolled in a 5-day Driving Course complete with 5 weekend classroom teaching of Trouble Shooting.
Before we started our first lesson, my arrogant instructor warned me that every time the engine accidentally stops due to my negligence, I would pay him a bottle of Coke. I asked him if there was ever a student who escaped this punishment and he boastfully replied none so far.
And so it began. With Angela Bofill’s song “Break it to me gently” vibrating in the air, I maneuvered the Driving School’s car with the glaring caption “STUDENT DRIVER” plastered on its front, sides and back. I followed my teacher’s instruction to signal right or left whenever we turned. On our first day, we just circled around the block of Manuela Commercial Complex, the mall right outside our Village. We reached 1 hour without any mishap. Hence, no Coke for him.
On our second day, we explored the very narrow but chaotic street of CAA. The road was slippery, muddy and filled with humongous potholes. There we encountered all possible forms of transportation you can only find in the Philippines. Pedestrian lanes were non-existent. People crossed the street from anywhere to everywhere anytime without any qualms whatsoever. I bet he was waiting for me to break down but I maintained my composure. Again, no Coke for him.
On our third day, we drove to Alabang. There, we practiced ascending/descending hills and entering/exiting different parking space locations. He intentionally asked me to stop while backing up a slope, expecting that it would rattle me but I did not flinch. For 3 consecutive days, I did not owe him any Coke.
On our fourth day, we entered the EXPRESSWAY. That was the time to drive really fast or the other motorists would throw matchsticks at you if you were moving like a turtle. I remember catching a glimpse of him gripping tightly on the upper bar as if his life depended on it. He probably thought it would be the end of him. He must be totally relieved when we finally returned to the Driving School in 1 piece. That’s when he announced that I no longer need to report the next day. He rationalized that I already finished the 5-day Course in 4 days. He also commented that he couldn’t fathom why I bothered to enroll in the first place.
My, my, my. And I was even planning to treat him for lunch with Coke on our fifth day! Oh well, some things were just not meant to be.
