Briones: Is change coming?

I WOKE up yesterday noon to the rumbling of distant thunder.

I wanted to hurry so I could beat the traffic that ensues whenever there’s a downpour in the Bantal corridor area, but my body told me to just lie in bed and wait for the first raindrop to fall.

My woolgathering was abruptly interrupted by the question of what I should write in my column today.

There were plenty of topics to choose from—Duterte’s tirade against the Catholic Church, the need to decongest densely-populated schools in Cebu City, Ironman triathlon organizers not allowed to use the Cebu South Coastal Road at the South Road Properties as part of the race route this year—but one close to my heart was Oplan Tambay.

You see, I had ranted about the problem of vagrants long before the President directed the police’s attention to them, but my diatribe always fell on deaf ears.

If you hang out in Barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City late at night or if you’re a resident, you’d understand why I continue to have a conniption.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that the community is home to a university, which means lot of students, and lots and lots of businesses that cater to students.

In fact, my grandmother operated a cafeteria and a boarding house for girls in the area for three decades, and both are still there even though she died a number of years ago.

But back then, the entire neighborhood would be quiet by midnight. Those who stayed outdoors usually spoke in hushed tones so as not to disturb the people sleeping.

There was a tacit agreement that everyone would respect each other. Then it changed.

I don’t know when exactly, but back then, there were not that many internet cafes and call centers. Convenience stores or eateries that were open 24 hours were still novelties. People had no reason to stay up so late.

Also, the resident toughies were still alive, or active. I hate to admit it, but they were the ones who kept everyone in check at night.

Which is why I support the new police directive because I believe somebody has to keep tabs on everyone, otherwise it’s pandemonium.

Just the other night, while I was having a glass of “milk” at my grandmother’s house before heading home, a group of noisy college students passed by.

One of their companions suddenly shushed them. So they’ve heard about Oplan Tambay.

As I prepared my stuff to leave, I thought, there is still hope. Maybe people will start respecting other people’s rights to have a good night’s sleep or leave me to savor my “milk” in peace.

Then on my way out, I heard the familiar guffaw of someone drinking along the street a few houses down.

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