What a super-duper coincidence when I’ve met a namesake of mine! Imagine we’re both on the same place and at the same time, isn’t that cute hehe. Got so excited with this remarkable situation that I won’t let go off this man without a short chit-chat and of course a souvenir photo.
The story goes a little something like this. I was on queue at a drivers license renewal center, some motorcycle accident attorneys says its better to have it renewed ASAP than to be sorry later.
My name was called at the counter for an ID photo session. To my surprise a man of mid 50′s was already sitting infront of the camera. Me and the man at the counter just looked at each other and grinned. Perhaps the man sitting down was a bit deaf because he thought that he’s the one that was called.
Man at the counter: “Sir excuse me, but he’s the man I called.” (pointing at me)
Namesake: “Oh ok! I was also wonderin why you’d called me again?” (confused)
I then took my seat and have my ID photo taken. Afterwards, I walked onwards the aisle where my namesake was seated, He then tapped me and asked:
Namesake: “Is your last name Barcelona?”
Me: “Well, yes sir.”
Namesake: “Really? Me too.” (smiling)
Me: “That’s cool!”
Namesake: “How bout your first name?”
Me: “Its Geri sir.”
Namesake: (funny smile) “Well whaddya know! Im Geri too! haha!”
Me: “Really?!” (amazed and shocked! the man is not deaf after all haha!)
I then positioned myself beside him. We talk and talk and talk. We exchange contacts and afterwards have our picture taken with my ever reliable camera, of course with timer settings.
I’ve just visited his humble abode recently to gave him his copy of our picture. Isn’t that sweet hehe. Would you do that to your namesake? 
Something ridiculous happened to me last Sunday, when I got flagged down by the Green Boys of Marikina. It happened at around 11 am while I’m riding my scooter. I made a U-Turn along Juan Sumulong street, just infront of Marikina Public Market. I thought t’was just a routine checkpoint. It turned out that I’ve violated a traffic sign. WTF!
One of them approached me and asked for my drivers license. I then asked politely, what would be my violation. To my surprise, one of them (the one who’s writing on the ticket) told me its “Violation of No Left Turn”. LMAO! How could that be, when what I did was a U-Turn???
I definitely disagrees with them, since what I made is a U-Turn on a street that has no “No U-Turn” signage whatsoever. The Green Boys then asked me to follow them to show that elusive roadsign that they say I’ve overlooked. The signage was attached to a post located on the sidewalk. I almost burst into laughter when I saw the traffic sign they’re pointing at. Its a “No Crossing” and a “No Left Turn” sign, which obviously I didn’t do any or both?!
So I asked them which of those two signs did I violate? Sensing that they might lose the case, one of them said in authoritarian voice. “Which do you prefer sir, the Violation of No Left Turn that will cost you P150 or I’ll charge you with a City Ordinance blah blah that is worth P1000? Since they already have my license, I didn’t bother to argue with them anymore coz I think it would be just be a waste of time. I said to myself “Okay I give up, just give me my ticket and i’m outta here! @#!&%”
Maybe some refresher course on road signs for your Green Boys would be appropriate Madam. Just my two cents. 
Spending Good Friday on the road has been my “panata” for many years now. Its like some sort of penitence and spiritual nourishment for me. During my adolescent years I walked (a gruelling 15 kms from our house) all the way to Grotto (in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan) with my friends, family, or neighbors. I even went solo, twice or thrice. But then, I’ve stopped doing it for quite some time now, not until yesterday, when Im back at the road again on a Good Friday…
Together with my ride buddy Sergs and his back ride. We braved the scorching heat and rode all the way to Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan (211 kms, Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall – Manaoag Pangasinan). We took off at around 5 am and our tires set tracks at Manaoag grounds by around 10:45am. Passing numerous flagellants, cross-carrier’s and processions along the way (particularly in Pampanga). And I just can’t passed by without taking some souvenir shots, as this would be my first time to witness such large number of penitent’s.
Except for a flat tire my partner got when were already at Kalayaan Ave, all goes well with our travel as we got home safe and sound. Good Friday is really good after all!
I’m thinking what more to add to this post when suddenly I recieved an SMS from a friend. Very timely. Here it goes:
38 SECONDS PRAYER:
Lord thank you for this great day!
I love you and need you to come into my heart.
Do Bless me, my family, my home, my work and my friends.
AMEN.
Have a blessed holy week everyone.
Just click the photos for more of our Manaoag Road Trip!
