Being Sorry.

The drivers were like maniac, infectious in their disregard for the norms in driving.

So there I was driving again for the first time in almost four years in the mean streets of Manila, and enjoying the pump in the adrenalin.

From Fairview going to the Mall of Asia, it took at least one and a half hours. The Elliptical Road was the bottleneck so we were craning our necks to check the directional arrows pointing to Quezon Avenue which would take us to Espana then to Quiapo, Kalaw and Roxas Boulevard.

I saw it first, EDSA, then my sister, but my bro in law said, "No, it's the next exit to the right." I was right, but it was already too late to make a right from the centre lane. So we had to circle again.

After shopping for things and things, which included maps of Metro Manila, Makati and Ortigas, and taking snacks, we headed back home. At the area near the Manila City Hall, my bro in law warned me, " stay on the right, you don't want to end up on the bridge going to Sta. Cruz." It happened to them last March and they ended up in Divisoria although it was not their intention to shop "baratan" style.

Anyways, my bro in law said, go straight and I followed my navigator. Ooops, the bridge was the one leading to Sta. Cruz. But I saw the backside of the old SM in Quiapo, so I immediately turned right to Echague.

We didn't mind the detour because we got to see the Echague of our childhood days when our Uncle and Aunt used to bring us to the Quinta Market and around Echague after the Friday Novena at the Quiapo Nazarene. Then we headed to the Ideal or Ever for an English movie and to Wa Nam for an early evening chow of Pancit and other Chinese delights.

We even passed by the "Ilse de Tulay" where my sisters and aunt used to buy Philippine handicrafts. We also passed F. Hidalgo where we used to take jeepney rides from Quiapo to our house in Sta. Ana and Mandaluyong.

Under the Quiapo underpass, I spotted Espana right away so I veered right instead of straight going to Andalucia.

But I'm back to form. After a week of driving, my eyes, legs and overall coordination have been oiled again for the aggressive yet defensive Manila-style driving.

But I'm really SORRY for uttering some ugly words. I was out of line. But at that moment, I was so frustrated and felt self pity. It's the raw emotion. To the person to whom I directed my wrenched feelings, please accept my apologies.

Nothing's changed. From Toronto to Manila, I'm still the same old person. But I'm alive here in the streets of EDSA, Commonwealth, Mindanao Avenue, and tonight in Ayala.

I wish there was something I could do to change the traffic flow and emotions - from frustrating "battle" necks to two-way, smooth travels.

Macau was once a scene in a James Bond movie, and remember, any Bond movie always involves a "car chase" which is very much akin to Manila driving.

Macau. Vegas-like casino city. If you're already with me, we'd definitely go. To bet some on slots and for more promising adventure.