We were on our way to The Fort Global City when we encountered uncharacteristic traffic on a Sunday, leading up the flyover along C5, the one right before Tiendesitas. We were moving, but more like an inch at a time. As we got closer to the cause, we realized it was an accident. We saw lots of flashing siren lights, and we saw that it was a road accident. The looked really bad, and I was bracing myself for something gruesome. When it comes to these things, I’m not really usisero, mainly because I don’t have the stomach to see blood and guts and all that stuff. Even in movies I get really squeamish. Just to digress a bit, when I was young and watched “Oro, Plata, Mata”, the scene where the Japanese soldiers cut off Lorlie Villanueva’s fingers because she refused to give them her rings, gave me nightmares for weeks. The movie never really showed the fingers being cut off, but just the thought scarred me for a long time. Back to the accident, it seemed like the SUV slammed onto one of the lamp posts on our left, then swerved to right and slammed onto the right wall of the flyover. When we got there, the car was on it’s side. The police just pushed it upright. When it was our turn to pass the wreck, the ambulance just left, zooming past us on the other lane. We were praying that the passengers were alive since they were still being rushed to the hospital. The police stopped the traffic flow exactly as we were the next car to pass. They needed about 15-20 minutes to get the debris and the vehicle out. So for quite some time, no cars were moving on both lanes of the flyover. We were stuck to watch them clear the area. We didn’t really mind, suddenly being very grateful just to be safe inside our cars. Scenes like this really put things into perspective.
The whole thing really stuck with me like a stubborn scent, the way smoke clings to your shirt after a night out. Wherever I went after that, I had images of the car crash flashing in my head. It’s one of my worst fears, to get a call saying that someone you love got into an accident. It’s something I would never wish even on my worst enemies. So I guess it shook me up because it hit a primal nerve inside of me. I’ve never had a ringside seat to an accident like this. Usually I’d only see parts of it from behind the police cars or ambulances, but never really had a clear view of it.
Just be careful on the road everyone, I get goosebumps whenever I remember the close calls I’ve had. Just this week, on my way home from Tagaytay after the Golden Dove awards at about 3am, I almost slammed onto a truck because my reflexes were in slow motion. I didn’t drink any alcohol, I wasn’t asleep, but I wasn’t fully awake either. I could see the truck, I knew I was driving towards it, but my brain couldn’t seem to get the message to my leg to slam on the brakes. But just in the nick of time, I jerked aware and pounded on the brake pedal in time for a jolting halt. It was a sobering moment. So seeing this crash reminded me of just how much of a responsibility it is whenever you get behind the wheel of a vehicle. You are responsible for yourself, for your passengers, for the drivers and passengers of the vehicles on the road with you, and the pedestrians. It’s no joke. Just how seriously you take your responsibility as a driver could spell the difference for you during your sliding doors moments. Those seemingly infinitesimal choices you make could be a turning point for you and the ones you love.
I pray for the passengers on that SUV.
My husband and I were wondering too why it was traffic on the South Bound of C5. And, on a Sunday! We came from Ortigas to Eastwood and saw the horrible traffic that people had to endure on the other side of the lane. I pray the passengers of the SUV are safe. I hope all the drivers will keep in mind that they are not only responsible for their own lives but to others as well.
Hopefully the passengers made it.
That particular Oro,Plata,Mata scene gave me traumatic thoughts, too. Up until now I am specifically horrified w/ Japanese violence esp during war w/c are often presented in old Filipino movies.
Years ago, on my way to work, I saw a railroad accident when an old man on a bike got hit by a train. I was shaken for hours and it was just a relief to learn later that the man survived.
Hi. been following your blog just this october lang. i’ve been in one of those car accidents and in the driver seat nonetheless. My mom’s face was literally shattered and she had to undergo several operation not to restore her face but to restore breathing and eating function. I had a knee fracture, my sister had a broken rib and my other sister head grew so large, at that time i couldn’t even bear seeing her thinking she’s gonna die any second. my 2 year old got only scratches , same with my 2 month old other daughter. My father who has just finished his 6th chemo session got a minor cut on his hand. At that time, I was just really thankful but months after the accident I was diagnosed with post-trauma stress disorder. And yes, everytime i hear an ambulance , i say a prayer for whoever is in there.
My God I saw this accident too! I was driving to Metro Walk from Cainta when I noticed the heavy traffic jam. Then I saw the sirens and I thought “NOT AGAIN!” That particular flyover really has something about it. A schoolmate of mine from DLSU died there earlier this year, it was on TV Patrol. He hit the lamp post and the impact was so hard his bumper hugged the lamp post and the engine popped out of the hood and fell down the flyover and hit a cab. He died on the spot.
I really do hope the driver and the passenger/s of this SUV make it. Let’s all drive safe!!
Chico, everyone please drive safely. We lurve you , Chico. Can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you. You are part of our lives and we wouldn’t want a single hair of your head harmed.
I and my workmates also saw this tragedy too. We saw this incident on a bird’s eye view since we are here in Transcom (if you look at the building on the right side of the picture above. We hope and pray that all passengers of this vehicle make it.