Healthy to be free!

CEBU, Philippines - It was the best Independence Day commemoration ever!

It liberated the mind from thinking too much of those honking, screeching, smoke-belching, speeding vehicles. It somehow unleashed commuters from issues on road rage, jaywalking, and the killer instinct of a pathetic driver.

I had all that stretch from the SSS Building to that portion near Bradford Church for a stroll with my son. I savored every opportunity to saunter on the fast lane, as if taking to road test this new-found freedom. And my son too quite enjoyed the presence of bikers, skateboarders, joggers, and dog owners walking their pets, including a drum and bugle corps that was circling that portion from Aznar Road to Visitacion Street and then back to Osmeña Boulevard. Even on a humid afternoon, everybody seemed to be wrapped with this cool demeanor.

The “Road Revo[lution]” event could not happen every Sunday as petitioned by organizer Law of Nature Foundation because this would certainly meet protests from those either working or are operating businesses even on a Sunday in the “affected area” (we can’t afford breeding hate). But we can have the Osmeña Boulevard again, maybe, every once in a while. Say, the first or the last Sunday of every month.

As a taxpayer for nearly two decades now, I have been bereaving at the loss of sidewalks (originally intended for pedestrian traffic flow) to oppressors of the new age – the overpowering stall operators/vendors including “music/video download service providers”. And even those mall/department store owners whose merchandise flood to the sidewalk: motorcycles, farm produce, school supplies, food items, electronic gadgets/equipment, to name a few. Walking on the main thoroughfare, instead, becomes an option despite being a major stress-inducing factor. I could be hit by a speeding vehicle anytime, or could get splashed on with pothole murky water on rainy days. However, I could also die from cardiac arrest joining the crowd on a cramped-up sidewalk. Either way, I could step on a flip-flop dragged by some slowpoke chick. Blame it on brisk walking, I could possibly bump onto a salted peanut/tempura/fishball/corn-on-cob stand. Worse, I might trample on pirated DVD copies strewn on the pathway.

But last June 12, the shackles of vehicular traffic oppression (illegal sidewalk trading counted in) were broken. Our rights to gain equal space, as well as the demand to enjoy greenbelts, were heard. Breathing air sans the obnoxious amount of particulate matters, even for just 13 hours, was mentally liberating!

I think skateboarders would share in this observation too. Many times they were shooed from establishments for reasons they might destroy the concrete pavement with their wheeled contraptions, or are plainly eyesores. Their proper space under the sun to enjoy a hobby, a passion is still to be lobbied actively. However last Sunday, they were there with us hikers, bikers, joggers, pet owners, and scooter fanatics to own the street.

Freedom to enjoy the urban outdoors, freedom to occupy our space even on a 6-a.m.-to-7-p.m. basis is relevant to our search for personal and communal well-being, for a healthy sense of independence. The event’s momentum needs to be sustained for it, somehow, liberated us from the grind of a complex, polluting, stressful lifestyle.