Monday, June 16, 2008

How is my driving?

Call or text: +639183765713.

I have been wanting to conquer the wild world of Cebu's main thoroughfares ever since I tried my hand on driving at age 18 (about more than a hundred moons ago). But I guess I never had the determination to do so because come to think of it: we have vehicles in our garage that have drivers to teach me but I never pushed myself to learn. I did try to go out to the south road but I got scared. My driver mentor who was my brother kept yelling at me that I lost further interest in driving. So for many years, I was only driving in my mind, envious of many women who can drive in Cebu... It was only recently when a prospective job requires me to possess driving skills that I was compelled to learn. So here I am now, learning to drive.

At first, I wanted to enroll at A-1 driving school, touted as the country's best driving school since 2000. However, no convenient schedule fit me so I searched for other driving schools--through the net, through flyers, newspaper, even tabloids. Name any driving school here in Cebu and I bet, I have talked to or have contacted them. However, I never felt decided in any of them (you see I am a person who decides by intuition), until I came across one school name that resonated within me in a pleasant way: Best Driving School. I looked at the number intently and assessed my "vibes" on the school. It felt good and light to me so I dialled the number and came from the other line was a male voice, soft spoken and restrained and professional sounding. He was the instructor himself. After some negotiations, we got a schedule. In our first meeting, I got behind the wheel and breezed through SRP road quite smoothly. Then he instructed me to turn left Mambaling then right at the South Express Road, then on to the busy corners and intersections on the road. Before I knew it, I was already right there in the middle of the chaotic South Express Road--one of Cebu's busiest roads-- at a very chaotic hour, stepping up with the unruly jeepney drivers. And... hurray!! After the first 3-hr actual driving, I came out alive and intact and the car unscathed. I did it, man!! I did it!! (ok, congrats). I wish I could jump with joy and hug the instructor. But no..couldn't do it out of respect. He is just so cool and even tempered and persistent in his guidance. I am grateful that he never raised his voice on me nor got rattled by my lapses. He just remained as cool as he first talked to me over the phone (he wasn't just the best-voice-forward kind of person; he was best-voiced through and through) . Now as our driving lesson comes to an end, I wish I have a better way of telling him how much I have appreciated him for building my confidence on the road. So, ladies and gentlemen of Cebu who want to learn to drive, I highly recommend --rolling drums, please-- Mr. Wilbur Legados, Best Driving School telephone number +639183765713.

(Master, libre mo naman ako, o. Pinaghintay mo ako kanina, eh).