Welcome to the archives of "Urban Commuter", the web columns I wrote for LocalVibe.com and GetAsia.com.ph between 1999 and 2001. Enjoy the rants.

THE ARCHIVES: 2001

01. TAKING IT TO THE STREETS
Reflections after the EDSA 2 revolution, on the ousting of another bastard president (Jan, 01)
02. THE HELL THAT IS MAKATI
Thieves in your apartment, and on the streets. PLus! Tips on commuting while in Makati. (Feb 22, 01)
03. SUFFER THE CHILDREN
Travelling with kids is a nightmare. (Mar 12, 01)
04. AMAZINGLY TRUE CRAP STORIES
Sit and shit. Horror stories from friends and colleagues. 100% true. (Apr 06, 01)
05. RED FLAGS UNFURLED
EDSA 3? Nope, just a lot of manipulated urban poor. (Apr 27,01)
06. Metro Manila: NOT MUCH PLANNED, FOREVER DAMNED
Rene Diwa gets lost and frustrated, hot and bothered in the maze of Metro Manila.
(May, 01)
07. The Customer is Crap Part 1 (of 3): Look at All the Many Changes
Rene Diwa lives to tell the tale on a classic Pinoy customer service nightmare: the chase for loose change. (June, 01)
08. The Customer is Crap Part 2 (of 3): No Knowledge is a Bad Bad Thing
The Urban Commuter doesn't know which is worse: ignorant music salesladies, or unreliable laundry delivery. (July, 01)
09. The Customer is Crap Part 3 (of 3): Maybe if they "owned" the business…?
A dignified rant about customer service in this country - and what we can truly do about it. (Aug, 01)
10. TOPAK: A Reflection on Handling a Specific Relationship Crisis While on the Jeep
There are no excuses for this kind of excuse. (Oct, 01)

THE ARCHIVES: 2000

01. MANYAK
Frightening real life stories of sex maniacs on the loose in Metro Manila (Mar 16, 00)
02. THE RETURN OF THE NATIVE
Fiancee Agnes returns from California with the eye of a foreigner (Apr, 00)
02A. TWELVE HOURS INTO THE "SWIFT FIRE"
Pamamanhikan brings me to Tuguegarao which means swift fire. Plus, long haul provincial bus rides need preparation! (May, 00)
03. ONE DAY THE CABVENGER WILL STRIKE
Hell is: non-calibrated cab meters, ignorant bombers, and bag checks. (Jul, 00)
04. QUAINT SIGHTS + THE CAB WAR CONTINUES
A few bizarre city sights. And more about cabs and their abuse. (Sep 27, 00)
05. THOSE FILTHY HABITS WE ALL HATE
Commuters and their filthy habits. (Nov 06,00)
06. WANDERING THROUGH OLD MANILA
An unplanned solo city tour that ends with sunset in the park. (Dec, 00)

THE ARCHIVES: 1999

01. HOLDAP!
Tips on how to prevent a hold-up from happening to you! (Apr, 99)
02. KUWENTONG CUBAO
The myriad visions and idiosyncracies of Cubao--the forgotten realm.(May, 99)
03. OF HOLY GRAILS & BUS SLEEPERS
Sleeping on a bus can be hell. Be prepared, and you need never commute uncomfortably again! (Jul, 99)
04. STATE OF THE URINATION
Tips on how to prevent a urine attack happening in transit! (Aug 1, 99)
05. TAXI-DERMY
Three interesting taxi drivers grace the Urban Commuter's life. (Aug 8, 99)
06. 2 FINGERS BETWEEN LIFE AND OBLIVION
The unwritten rules of making sabit. Plus, why do it in the 1st place? (Oct 25, 99)