Riyadh City now was covered with severe dust, literraly blowing dust everywhere, which created zero visibility. It started early this morning and till now at noon time still the smell of dust is everywhere and we tend to wear dust masks even inside our offices. Weather is now changing, winter has gone and expect summer to be at the corner fast approaching.
“Mga binibini, ginang at ginoo ….kalalapag lang po natin sa paliparang pandaigdig ng Ninoy Aquino sa Manila …mangyari po lamang na manatiling naka-upo at ang sinturong pangkaligtasan ay manatiling nakasukbit hanggang ang babala ay hindi pa ibinababa ng ating kapitan …. huwag po tayong magsitayo o kuhanin ang mga bagahe hanggat ang sasakyang panghimpapawid ay di pa tuluyang nahihinto sa himpilan…. at ang mga lagusan ay di tuluyang nabubuksan …. ang kasalukuyang panlabas na temperatura ay tatlumpo’t dalawang sintegrado…. at ang oras sa kasalukuyan ay ika-apat at anim na minuto ng hapon … maligayang pagdating at kami ay umaasa sa ating muling pagkikita sa mga susunod na paglipad ng Saudia…. maraming salamat po!”
This was the announcement as our airline was taxiing at the tarmac of NAIA when suddenly sound of snapping and releasing of seat belts could be heard around and in sequence. Followed by this were some kababayans who are already standing up reaching for the overhead compartments to pull their carry-on baggages. Others followed in accord and you perhaps think this might be caused by their eagerness and excitement to be with their love ones and families after a long year or maybe a two-year contract or more; but they are ignoring safety precautions while the aircraft was still in motion. Airline attendants persuaded in TAGALOG our kababayans to remain seated but they ignored as they continue to grab their belongings and others tend to fall in line at the isles moving towards the front, leading to the exit doors. I’m surprised that seems our kababayans had already forgotten to understand Tagalog and they ignored the repeated instructions given.
Seeing the commotion, and in a low and loud voice I shouted “ESH HADA YA SADIK? LEISH QUEDA QUEDA? ESTANNA HENNAK MAFI ROUH!.” (What is that friend? What are you doing? Stay put don’t go!) Those standing slowly returned to their seats, their carry-on baggages on their laps and waited till the aircraft was at still.
With a smile, I realized that our kababayans could understand and obey foreign instructions better than our own language. Si KABAYAN nga naman!
