Unexpected Amazing Race

My grandmother died last 2005. We are from Iligan City, Lanao del Norte but when I was about 2 years old my parents decided to migrate in Quezon City.

My brother and mother left a day before because I still had an exam and our flights are either 10AM or 1PM. I was comfortably taking a bath around 8AM thinking that my flight was 1PM and realized “Didn’t my mother had her flight in the afternoon?” I ran up to my room to check my ticket with a body full of soap and with only a towel to cover what should be covered. MY FLIGHT WAS 10AM NOT 1PM!

2 hours left for me to finish my bath, pack my things and get to the other end of EDSA since we were living near SM North.

“Passengers are requested to check-in at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time for domestic flights” – Philippine Airlines Check-in Procedure

While running down the stairs I quickly thought of my plan.

1. Primary goal is to get to the airport around 9:30AM.
2. Do not brush my teeth.
3. Get backpack put the closest shirt, short and underwear. If there’s no near clothes forget about them. Do not be picky of what clothes to get.
4. Pack the my ID.
5. Do not bring any baggage that needed to be checked-in.
6. Never wait for a taxi, I am better off moving than waiting.
7. Never walk, RUN!

What happened?

8:40AM Left the house and rode a tricycle to EDSA.

8:55AM Arrived at EDSA, walked to the other side then rode a bus to MRT EDSA North Ave Station.

9:05AM Arrival at MRT; Run up to the station; Ride train to Taft Ave Station.

9:30AM Arrival at Taft Avenue MRT Station, Ride taxi at bus station going to Nasugbu via Tagaytay. Lucky that when I went down from the MRT station an empty Taxi passed by.

9:45AM Arrival at NAIA 2.

At the airport, I was running as fast as I can and when I arrived at the check-in counter the lady told me that the flight was already boarding and she will ask her boss if I could still get in the plane. They asked if I got check-in baggage, I quickly answered no while catching my breathe. They said I could go and we all should hurry. WOOO!

I only had 500 Pesos in my pocket, if they did not allow me then I would not have been able to see my deceased grandmother buried. No money for rebooking, add to that the 200 pesos terminal fee and my fare from Cagayan de Oro to Iligan City.

Thank God for giving me the ability to run very fast and for placing the right people at the right place at the right time for me to reach my flight even if I was unworthy of such grace because of my clumsiness.