3 terrifying incidents happened today from 3 different people — including me.

1. My story

• I was on my way to Ortigas for work around 9:30 in the morning. Normally, I ride the jeepney and take the bus going to Megamall since shuttle units are not available during weekends. Going back, I prompted the bus driver to stop and sat down in a fairly full, air-conditioned bus. It wasn’t that bad, anyway. I sat by the window a seat away from the bus entrance. Hence, I was technically in front, and I find it safer than being at the back portion of the bus. But, I had to squeeze myself in because a lady was — I think — about to exit. And yes, she exited as the bus reached a point between Magallanes and Ayala. Moments after the passengers hopped off the bus, a strange looking guy — by this I mean: a man with a small tattoo printed on his right hand, quite frail-like face with a slight mustache, wearing a black ragged shirt, has gray to dark hair and a tattered backpack — strangely sat beside me as he was already sitting at the opposite side. It then came into me that this insolent man was definitely suspicious. Thoughts were flurrying inside my mind as to whether or not get off the bus and transfer to another.

• As the bus resumed the trip while I was carefully — yet not quite obviously — glaring at my left side, he tried to grab something from his also tattered jeans; it was just his phone. He checked it for a few seconds then placed it back inside his pocket. A few seconds after, he grabbed again as if he had difficulty getting something. I had no choice but to stare directly on what he was grabbing, because I really felt that he was getting something sharp from his pocket; it was — fortunately — his phone again. Did the same thing, and the bus stopped at Ayala. As the passengers made its way to the exit, I heard a loud knock at the window behind me; a decent man around late 30s signaled me to go down and take another bus. Finally!!! The heaven-sent man confirmed that the uncivil man beside me was a robber / “holdaper”. Hurriedly exited the bus and thanked the man who helped me. Called a cab en-route to Ortigas. Had a safe trip at that moment.

2. Doreena’s Story (a close friend)

• I have the slightest information about the story as to where they really were and how far it is from their school or I don’t know. But the story goes like this: Around 6pm, Doreena and her friend Kat rode a tricycle somewhere along Taft Avenue at “Tapa King” after buying fries from this known kiosk. They clearly told the driver to bring them to “Central”, but the driver seemed to be really stubborn; he continued driving at high speed leaving behind the desired location of Doreena and her friend. Kat started screaming that they had already gone too far from “Central”, but then again he acted as if he heard nothing. The girls got off the tricycle as it was still moving, and hastily ran fearing that the driver might chase after them.

• Doreena’s text message (slightly verbatim):

“Omygod :( :( :( nasa trike kami papuntang central. Tapos linagpas kami nung driver. E alam ni Kat yung way, sabi niya mali po. Tapos niliko niya ulit kami. Sabi namin stop na, ayaw mag stop. As in, sinisigawan na niya yung driver na itigil na, binilisan lalo. Tapos lumabas kami ng trike habang gumagalaw!!!!!! Tumakbo pa kami kasi parag gusto kami habulin.”

3. Doreena’s mom’s friend’s story

• This lady was riding the jeepney somewhere probably in Manila. She saw a man hugging a girl really tight as if they were an intimate couple. The girl was not moving, though. Later on, the guy hurried its way to the jeepney’s exit and left the girl lifeless with a stick stabbed in her neck. Passengers panicked and ran out of fear and trauma. Damn! :(

Everything stated here is true and credible. Take care, guys!