The traffic in Metro Manila has gotten so bad that some have likened their journey from Makati to Mall of Asia to a flight to Singapore. In fact, flying to Singapore could take less time, in some circumstances.
Traffic jams are largely frustrating because they don’t make sense at all. How can Edsa, built as a highway, turn into a parking lot of stuck vehicles that are supposed to be moving on a straight line?
But then again, Filipino drivers are known for their lousy style of driving that inevitably causes horrible traffic. Where else do you see drivers boldly—stupidly— rushing into traffic counterflow just so they can jump ahead of the queue?
We have a Android and iOS apps to help you escape insidious traffic, or to entertain you if you are not behind the wheel.
MMDA
MMDA’s traffic management app is a godsend fot people who want to see real-time road situations. Why venture out of your office or to the mall at 7:30 p.m. when the app clearly shows how heavy the traffic is on your route?
Many of our friends end up watching a movie or having dinner to kill time until the app shows that traffic has eased up.
You can also follow MMDA on Twitter; whoever’s behind the account is funny and quick to reply, so you can have a few laughs while you’re stuck in traffic.
Waze
Navigation app Waze’s tagline is “outsmarting traffic together,” and it’s a very apt description of the app. Waze not only shows you how to get to your destination, it also offers you the fastest route with less traffic.
Feedback from Waze’s many users also provides you actual traffic situations, with in-depth reports like where traffic cops are located or causes of bottlenecks such as vehicular accidents, roadblocks or road repairs.
For added kicks, you can change the female voice of the navigation system into a singsong boy band (freaky) or Elvis (freakier).
Chauffeured around? Lucky you. Keep your brain and fingers occupied so you won’t realize you’ve spent the better half of the day sitting in a car.
Snoopy Sugar Drop
Sure, it’s another Candy Crush knockoff, but you’ll have Snoopy and the Peanuts gang’s witty humor to keep you hooked and playing.
Let’s Fold
Put your brainpower and origami skills to the test with this puzzle game that requires you to create whimsical shapes with a few taps.
Facebook/Instagram
These two social network apps are traffic survival staple. Commiserate with other people stuck in traffic, roll your eyes at the many “stuck in traffic” pouting selfies, or laugh at the bad poetry traffic verses from bored friends.
BuzzFeed
Lose yourself in BuzzFeed’s numerous “listicles” ranging from the absurd to the hilarious. We bet they even have one relating to being stuck in traffic.
Grand Theft Auto
Nothing good comes out of road rage; you’ll just end up on this week’s viral video. Unleash all that pent-up aggression on this game where you punch people and take their cars, something you’re secretly compelled to do when the idiot in front of you is blocking two lanes because he’s trying to turn right while on the leftmost lane.
You might as well put all that idle time to good use by creating mood boards or wishlists on Pinterest. Some suggested boards to create while you’re bored: “My Dream Wedding,” “My Dream Room” or “Clothes I will Buy if I Make It Through This Damn Traffic.”