An Interesting Story

April 20, 2007

It was quiet and cold in the bus I took to Manila yesterday. As usual, there were commuters who were standing up, trying their darndest not to look at each other all throughout the trip—it's some etiquette, I think, not to look to closely at each other's misery. I stole a short glance at them to assure myself (of what, I don't really know) and turned to the window. It was a nice sunny morning. Since its summer, not a lot of people are on the streets as they were busy hiding from the glare of the albeit weak sun.

 

The bus was coming to a turn, gears grumbling, grinding, yawning, to the left.  I stare out of the newly -cleaned plexiglass window. Slowly, a lone person traversing the street came into view. She was walking in a relaxed gait. Her expression was a little blank (which is normal for people who walk through familiar territory) and serene (which is not normal for people who walk through busy thoroughfares), disturbing. She was naked.

 

At first I thought she was a man, or an adolescent boy to be exact. Her body was angular and almost shapeless, much like the typical male build. I thought she was male until I realized, a full five seconds after I saw her, that she has no penis. And that the small things with nipples on her torso are breasts.  Truth be told, I was just mildly surprised at this sight. There was no feeling of outrage against her supposed indecency, or anything else for that matter! I have a nasty feeling I should have more reaction.

 

I mean, I'm a Filipino, living in a very religious country. Nakedness is sin; Adam and Ever figured THAT one out quite early. Yeah but since I'm weird and agnostic, I guess I'm excused of having the typical reaction and all that bullshit. I now degrade to cuss words. AGAIN.

 

But wait! What is the typical Flip reaction to public nudity then? Outside of the boob tube or the silver screen or the intarnets.  Good question. I surreptitiously glanced at my other busmates, and I got my answer quickly enough: they don't seem to be affected at all. I knew they saw her too, but they weren't reacting either. There you have it. Naked woman struts on the streets and the world does not give a flying shit. I find that absolutely cool, sarcasm aside.

 

Now what I'd really like to know is who she is, where she's from, and where she's going in her full birthday suit glory. I bet it would make an interesting story. And I love real stories. Almost as much as I love fictional ones.


Posted by lizette at 11:01 am | permalink

Previous Comments

I have seen alot of those “naked” men, women. I pity them, it makes me wonder “bakit kaya sila nagkaganun”, Do they still have a family, if yes, where could they be? Bakit walang ginagawa ang ating gobyerno tungkol sa mga taong ganito?

Posted by jho at April 20, 2007, 4:42 pm

I also saw naked lady before, I pity her too (like jho’s reaction) and I guess the people that saw her too. People who’s crazy will do that in pinas, dunno in other countries… BTW, thanks for the visit i’ll link you up :)

Posted by Misyel at April 21, 2007, 4:36 am

I saw a naked lady once and I jumped her, had sex with her and…….oh wait, that was my ex, in the bedroom. Oooops sorry.

But seriously, there must be a distinct classification that separates a naked lady in the streets of Manila with an almost naked lady on the beach. Normally, the latter would garner more attention. Maybe it’s the intention involved. One has somehow ignored (or forgotten) the fact that the apple has been eaten and that nudity is a no-no whilst the other completely knows of the feast and it’s consequences yet does not mind to bear some skin all in the name of attention. Okay, you have somehow gotten the wheels turning. Hehehehe

Posted by Virus at April 21, 2007, 6:42 am

madalas akong nakakakita ng mga hubad na naglalakad sa kalye kasi may diperensiya sila, nakakaawa at di naman nakakainis, di rin naman nakaka attract kasi nga sa mental condition nila. nakakaawa lang talaga.

Posted by iskoo at April 21, 2007, 5:28 pm

jho: mental health is probably one of the lowest in the priority list of the government. i think it’s because going crazy is expensive.

misyel: thanks! i’ll link you too. ^_^ on the issue of pity: i don’t think they need our pity. understanding is more like it.

virus: keep the wheels moving. write about it in your own blog. C:

iskoo: hello!

Posted by lizette at April 21, 2007, 7:12 pm

Other than going from one airport to another,I haven’t spent time in Manila.Naked chidren are quite common in the provinces,so in some ways the Filipinos are less uptight about nudity than Americans.The person you wrote of would be out of place everywhere.

Posted by RTS at April 23, 2007, 9:15 am

hi lizette,
thanks for dropping by my bloggie :) nice blog you have here. will definitely come back.

Posted by pau at April 23, 2007, 10:56 am

I met and saw several naked men and wowen before in the street. The only reason I can think of why they are naked ‘coz they are crazy. I pity them especially when people will surround that person and laugh at them.

Posted by cat at April 23, 2007, 11:16 am

thnaks for writing. weren’t the woman deranged, destitute or retarted to walk naked in the street. In Kathmandu too I see a man lying naked on the footpath near clock tower wearing no bottom. He is visibly deranged and people ignore hi,.

Posted by k c bhatt at April 24, 2007, 10:12 am

I think that people here in Chicago would go nuts if someone was walking naked down the street. They would be arrested. I also watch people trying not to notice each other while commuting. I find it very interesting

Posted by Natalie at April 24, 2007, 10:24 pm

When I was working in Metrobank HO, you’ll see a fountain on a front before entering the main door, in the afternoon while were seriously doing our office task abruptly theirs an naked woman who’s tried to swim on our office fountain, when were saw her our officemate was tensely called a Police and the security guard, Im actually felt something pity for her, and Im still asking why our government doen’t find or rather do a best way to help them instead, yup! i know that they are crazy or have psychological deffect, why let them to struts around the street instead of taking care and give a better place for them to rest and to live.

Posted by hartley at July 7, 2008, 12:48 pm

i think, in a way, i’m a lot like you.,.. if i saw that naked woman..i would’ve been weirded out about myself too cuz i won’t feel anything..except maybe a little sadness and curiosity but not shame…never shame.. sometimes i freak myself out but now that i’ve read this i guess i’m not the only one in the philippines who’s, say, strange.. i wish there were people like you whom i can hangout with.. BTW i’m 16 yrs old and i thnk i’m melancholic..many pipol r weirded out about me but i guess i cnt blame them. but who’s to say what’s normal anyway?

Posted by ayvee at August 12, 2008, 7:19 pm

Absolutely correct! Who can say what is Normal when we have our own opinion and beliefs. pity and understanding is very common when you see a woman/ man naked for it is sure that person has Mentally Ill. Filipinoes are not americans who will do foolish things just for attention. For the government thing we dont just blame our government for it is like blaming yourself! Have you asked your self when I saw that naked woman what have I done for her? the answer is up to you. I believe that we have still bright future ahead if only one of us will have the courage to do just a little thing for everyone. For Believe me EVERYBODY including me is SELFISH when can we be selfless? Pity and understanding is not enough There should be ACT to be done!

Posted by kris at February 10, 2009, 6:08 pm