Dec. 26, 2004
5:50 p.m.

Pam, Iris and I stood on the curb at the corner of Sto. Domingo St. and Del Monte Avenue, waiting for a taxi. The streets were almost deserted, save for a few cars and jeepneys. Near us, a long line of tricycles waited for passengers, their drivers having a leisurely chat. My friends and I, too, were laughing and talking, unmindful of the danger that was just waiting to happen.

Suddenly, there was the roar of an engine coming to life. From the corner of my eye, I saw a motorcycle pass by me, much too close. Something snagged at my left arm...no, pulled... Belatedly, I realized the motorcycle shouldn't be ON the sidewalk.

Reflexively, my left hand tightened its hold on what it was holding, I half-turned but whatever it was that was pulling me didn't let go. There was a rip and the large paper bag bearing my newly-received gifts fell to the ground. I let go... my shoulder throbbing by now... It was only then that it registered in my mind... NO... God, no... my bag... my HAND BAG containing my valuables -- my cellphone, my ATM and credit cards, my money, my IDs... all gone.

Two guys on a motorcycle.

I watched helplessly as they sped away at full speed. The guy behind the driver turned his head and looked back. Bastard.

The tricycle drivers rushed to our side. You should have screamed, they said. I couldn't, it happened so fast. We thought they were just resting, one concerned bystander put in. I didn't notice... Pam and Iris looked at me, for a minute, not realizing what had just happened. Then it dawned on them... shock came later. My mind went blank. I began to shiver a little. My hand stung as if burned. It was empty.

Someone suggested that we report the incident to the police. Conveniently, a police station was just a FEW METERS AWAY. Imagine that? I was so lucky.

We reported the incident. My hand still shook. My friends calmed me down. My voice broke a little.

One police ON DUTY had the presence of mind to ask: How much money was in the bag? I began to answer but Iris stopped me. I didn't see the avarice shining in his eyes. Perhaps, she did.

The police at the desk made a call. A few minutes later he instructed us to go to the central police station nearby. "We only take reports," he said as he escorted us out. "Don't worry, they are waiting for you at the other station," he added. He hailed a taxi for us.

By passing, I noticed how neatly their police car was parked just outside the outpost.

At the central police station we met the inspector. RELOX, his nameplate said. He was a funny guy, cracked jokes to make me feel at ease. "Where did you study?" he asked me. Though I didn't see how it mattered, I answered: "UST".

"Now, you are a graduate of UE," he said.

Huh?

"University of Experience."

"Oh." Ha-ha.

He asked me my name, where I lived, what I did for a living and I hesitated... did I want to tell him? Then I noticed the button he wore: KOTONG with a big red slash running across it. I told him what he needed to know.

"Look, to make you feel better, let me read something to you," he said, flipping through his logbook.

Just a few days ago, a woman's handbag was snatched by two men on a motorcycle... the victim was dragged for several meters...

"Yes," Iris put in, "and don't forget my officemate. A thief snatched her cellphone but she fought back. The man pushed her against a truck and she hit her head hard. Now, she has lost her sense of smell and taste. She could be eating spoiled food and she wouldn't know it. Whenever we ate out, we had to describe to her what the food tasted like. Give her lasagna and give her a piece of cardboard -- they would taste the same."

Good Lord...

After finishing up the report, we took our leave.

"If you have any more problems or questions, remember my name," he said.

Yep, RELOX. "Thank you," I said.

Later, standing outside the police station I asked my friends what we were going to do next.

"Let's still do what we planned. Eat out. Sing karaoke."

"I don't have any money with me..." I said softly.

"Don't worry, we will take care of everything," they said, their arms linking at my waist.

Despite everything... I am lucky.