Back in September 2011, my Political Science class had a field trip in Metro Manila to visit the various locations where each branch of the government held their offices in (Malacañang, the Senate and House of Representatives, and the Supreme Court). That trip itself would make a fine story on its own, and let’s save that for another day. This one is about a down time experience we had.
Our class stayed at this condo/hotel literally across Greenbelt-2 in Makati. I forgot the name, but it literally is just across the street from the fancy strip mall. Normally, we’d dress up whenever we go to such places. Not necessarily fancy clothes or anything, but at the very least, we’d try to look presentable.
On this occasion though, we went there in our pambahay clothes – old t-shirt, basketball shorts and rubber slippers. It was after dinner, around 8 or 9. We didn’t have anything to do so my friend and I decided to just take a stroll around Greenbelt and look around the shops that didn’t have branches in Iloilo.
2011 Iloilo City wasn’t as progressive as it is today, very few luxurious and middle class establishments existed aside from malls and one or two bars and clubs. The numbers might not be accurate but the point is, Iloilo then wasn’t a very fun place to be in, so we absorbed whatever new stuff we can in Manila.
Anyway, during said stroll, we came upon a couple of finely dressed, high society people in their 40’s or 50’s. The look of utter disgust they gave us and our attire was something I’d never forget. They did that slow stare from top to bottom with judgemental expressions etched on their faces. “Who let these plebes in here?”, their scowl seems to say.
I personally don’t give too much crap on incidents like this. I mean, I get it. Some people are snobs and un-accepting of things that are different. I just found it funny that I got to experience that side of high society. It gave me so many lulz along the years, and it made for a great story.
patrickkennan.com 