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Commuting in the Philippines has become extremely chaotic. \u201cWhen you get on the train, you have to protect yourself so that you don\u2019t get squeezed.\u201d \u201cWe call it a sardine situation. It\u2019s becoming unimaginable.\u201d The war in Iran has created a global energy crisis, more than doubling the price at the pump in the Philippines. This has forced people to ditch their cars for public transportation, like trains and popular vehicles called jeepneys, that could typically hold about 20 people. Many are trying to figure out how to navigate massive crowds during rush hour, while saving money. \u201cExcuse me.\u201d These commuters filmed and posted on social media about their new challenging journeys. \u201cI stopped driving. I take the public transportation as a commute.\u201d Stella Kim works for a multinational company in Manila as a project coordinator. Her drive to work was typically about an hour and a half. But then gas prices started to climb. \u201cIt just wasn\u2019t worth it. It\u2019s very expensive.\u201d So Kim now hails a motorcycle, and takes a train and jeepney during her commute. \u201cI used to ride jeepney maybe like once a month, but now it\u2019s like the cheapest option.\u201d Kim said this new commute cost half the price of driving, but it adds an hour and a half to her trip. \u201cWhen I arrived home, it was 9:30 p.m., so I just go home and the days end.\u201d The crush of new passengers is making travel harder for commuters like Stephen Emperado. \u201cSo lines are much longer, waiting times are less predictable, and you\u2019re competing for space.\u201d He already had a complicated commute to his college in Manila. \u201cFirst, I will ride jeepney to go to MRT train station, and I will transfer to another train.\u201d Emperado said the large crowds at rush hour have become stressful. \u201cIt really takes a toll physically, and of course, mentally.\u201d He said his commute used to be the only free time he had to read and study. \u201cAll I can do in commuting is just bring my book and I can\u2019t even open it.\u201d Because of the crush of bodies in the summer heat, he also packs an extra shirt. So Emperado has found ways to avoid rush hour. \u201cI sometimes stay at my friend\u2019s condo near school or go home late, around 9 to 10 p.m. since I really want to avoid the people.\u201d Kim started looking for condos closer to her office so she can have her life back. \u201cIf I\u2019m living near this city, then I get to do other things. I\u2019d be closer to my coworkers. We can hang out more often.\u201d Both Kim and Emperado are eager for things to get back to normal. \u201cI just wish this energy, fuel crisis would settle down.\u201d \u201cFilipinos are very resilient people. Despite the fuel crisis, we are really trying our best.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n