We can still call it luck although not very lucky!  Why?  Remember,  I wrote that my in-laws from Canada  also came home for my mother in law’s burial?  They were picked up from the airport and are supposed to use the van of an aunt who will accompany them all the way to the province.  But due to mechanical failure on the way,  they had no choice but to take a public bus instead to avoid further delay.  But for heaven’s sake!  After almost 4 hours of travel and halfway to their destination, a bus drama unfold.  Group of 4 young men announced a bus hold up that send some passengers stunned and in panic.  Luckily, my in laws who were seated at the middle section of the bus, still had the chance to discreetly hide some of their valuables while those armed men were busy divesting other passengers of their belongings who mostly are balikbayans. Quite lucky, only a wallet and cellphone were taken from them unlike others in the front row who was caught by surprise  gave away their bags with their hard earned money.

Speculations went around that somebody might have tipped those men that a particular bus is loaded with balikbayans. It is not a far fetched idea.  On lookers or spotters are roaming in bus stations identifying people whom they believe to be a good catch and all they have to do is call or text the bus name and number and the cohorts will wait for their would be victims.  Scary! Times are hard so beware and take extra care.   Especially if you just came from abroad and will travel by bus to the province.  Those luggage alone will send off clear signal that you are indeed with money.   Most of the time, it paid off to be simple and discreet.

Sad, very sad!