West Visayas State University

(Formerly Iloilo Normal School)

COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION
Luna St., La Paz, Iloilo City

OYALES, JOEMEL JOHN V. BSDC 1-A NOVEMBER 2023

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF REACTION PAPER

E-BUS TRAUMA: FAIR-FARE

“Student ka? Php 22.00 ang pasahero [pamasahe] mo kasi ang laki mo. Dalawa ang
sakop mong upuan. Dalawa dapat ang pamasahe mo.”

These hurtful words were quoted by the Modern PUJ conductor which brought up the
tears of a kolehiyala named Laniemae. No one, not a soul wanted to be humiliated in front of a
listening crowd. But this happening truly changed Laniemae’s life as she was bullied and body-
shamed by an e-bus conductor.

Statistics shows that 25-35% of the world’s population experience being shamed by
their weight and body’s appearance. Moreover, the girl doesn’t deserve all of those and it is the
morality of the shamer to be questioned.

I think that Laniemae deserve an explanation and an apology of the bus company and
the shamer of how would they feel if that situation is lighted to their position. It is brave of her
to speak up and stand for her rights and she is clearly aware of her power.

The conductor was shameless of the situation and had his own discriminative personality
within him. So, he must have a better explanation of his behavior. Moreover, he gave an
apology message and a statement of him saying that he regrets his doings and justified that he
is just a person that is sometimes committing mistakes.

The company hasn’t done much, just the conductor himself speaking up for his doings.
But Laniemae deserves more explanation from the head of the e-bus to leave a statement, but
based on the news they haven’t provided a thorough letter of apology for the bus company and
for the victim.

Summing things up, no one deserves to be on that situation because we all agree and
believe that we are born, and created uniquely and no one must be discriminated by their
features especially for those who are sensitive enough in their self-expression. It is indeed
Laniemae and the conductor that must talk thoroughly for the steps to resolve these problems.
And I do believe that we must treat each other equally and give fair justice especially in the
student’s point and the company involved.