Reader feedback

Last week, I received a handful of emails from our readers reacting to several topics and today we’re giving space for them because their observations are spot on. I hope we can all pick up the lessons and views they share.

RE: How generous are you:

I believe I am generous, I think, but I had to learn it. Generosity does not exactly come naturally.

1. I learned to not take a P5 or P10 change from a tricycle driver because a high school classmate said she did not get small change from tricycle drivers so I followed what she did. Five or ten pesos will not affect my budget or my lifestyle.

2. I used to give 20 Australian cents at my Catholic Church – about 25 years ago. Then I worked for The Salvation Army Booth College where they trained their ministers. I learned that Salvationists gave 10 percent of their gross income. I did not exactly give 10 percent of my income – not even close – but I  raised my church contribution to $2, then $5. Now retired, I give P100 every Sunday, with my reduced income as a retiree. Then I learned that my Methodist mahjong mate gave P1,000 a week to her Methodist Church (note to self – increase your contribution to at least P200 minimum). I also give extra for special fund raising drives and on Christmas.

3.  I am currently reading The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama and a US psychiatrist. The book says (am only on chapter 4) giving makes you happy. I believe this. I have a friend who had a stroke and her only income was jueteng whose clients usually bet P10, P50 at most. Her hospitalization was through help from friends but she had no money for physical therapy. I offered to pay for this (ongoing, weekly) and her family is so grateful to me. I’ve never seen such gratefulness to me before. I helped my family in a big way (eldest of 10 children) but now that I am retired, needs of family have diminished, I am now able to help people outside my family.

I had to be taught to be generous. I hope that in your talks to tell people to be generous. Sometimes we need a talking to. I continue to learn.

Lily

RE: Fine for no RFID – low balance:

1.  I load my e-pass RFID (for SLEX, Star, etc) via credit card and it’s very convenient, because you can choose to either manually or automatically load. With the latter you choose what threshold amount you prefer for the autoload to kick in and how much load you want to put in.  Best of all NO charge.

2.  However, your column was right – there is no way to check balances, except when passing through the toll road itself. This is difficult for those who manually load their RFID, especially when such load is not immediately reflected in the operator’s system.

3.  For SLEX, I typically change tags or ask for a new one at the Petron Station along Commerce Avenue in Alabang. Quite convenient and fast – and safe .

4.  For NLEX (and Calax), tags are available at the Shell station in SLEX Magallanes.

5. The NLEX system has an app called MPT drivehub. I was quite impressed, because not only can you see your balance, you can even see the toll rates for all areas they cover. Unfortunately, the app suddenly refused to work for me (but did for my husband), and it’s been nearly two months and they still can’t come up with a solution.

6. Loading the NLEX Eztrip has additional costs!

Thank you for your time, and more power to you!

Nanette Feliciano

Muntinlupa City

We also got a reaction to the same article from Ms. Lody:

I love reading your articles. I find them – including today’s issue – logical, reasonable, relevant and sensible. Thank you for your work.

If you don’t mind, I want to point out one minor observation. I think the saying goes like this: “Hampas sa kalabaw, sa kabayo ang latay.”

May the Good Lord continue blessing you with wisdom, courage and compassion so you could keep on writing your column for the good of the Filipino people.

Lody Macatula

RE: Delay of MRT-7 completion:

I agree with you that BBM and/or Sec. Abalos should intervene in the problem of the delay in the construction of the MRT-7. The delay will cause a tremendous inconvenience to us living in Fairview because of the enormous traffic that it has caused since the start of its construction until this time. We have already suffered for more than two years now because of the delay caused by Covid. But this new delay caused by politics and/or greed of certain persons should really not be allowed. The delay will just cause more problems rather than attaining the advantages and benefits that it was intended to give to the “laylayan ng lipunan” or the poor masses in the area that it is intended to serve.

Hope the powers that be will listen to your comments and suggestions.

Jun Batac

RE: Corregidor:

Poor Corregidor, poor history, when will someone rescue it?

Is there anything planned for the 80th Anniversary? It cannot be visited now, unless you go with a tour company. There are no more walk-ins (has to be with a tour org and the Coast Guard got to be notified two days in advance), tenting is not allowed at this time, visiting for hiking is not possible right now and there is no overnight visits. The hotel is closed and is deteriorating.

Quintin