Showing posts with label Articles Related To Direction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Articles Related To Direction. Show all posts
27 Jan 2015
BGC Bus new EDSA-McKinley Terminal across MRT Ayala Opens
Commuters going to Bonifacio Global City can now breathe a sign of relief. BGC Bus, the fleet of two-route buses that served East and West of the business and financial district has opened this January 5. The big terminal building is just a few meters across the stair of northbound exit of MRT-3 Ayala Station. For almost two years, commuters have trekked the distance of BGC temporary terminal that was located farther north of the big Shell Station across McKinley Rd. It was quite a long walk for both regular workers and visitors who also needed to wait further before crossing McKinley as there's no pedestrian bridge and motorists have to be prioritized. Now going to any building or destination located inside Bonifacio Global City, simply called BGC, is a breeze. If you don't know how to locate or walk to the building you are headed to in BGC, you can check it out on this post -> Commute Guide To Buildings & Attractions Inside BGC From MRT Ayala Station
The new BGC Bus Terminal building is located at the south corner of EDSA and McKinley Rd. Commuters' entrance and boarding area is located at the service road which runs right from the foot of the MRT staircase and bends leftward towards McKinley. See transfer from a MRT train to BBC bus has not been easier this time around. For direction to your destination to BGC building from MRT Ayala Station, go to -> Commute Guide To Buildings & Attractions Inside BGC From MRT Ayala Station for detailed direction from a BGC bus stop (unloading station) to your destination.
As of this writing, a convenience store is already opened in the new BGC Bus terminal building. But the way the facade of the building is being finished, there will be more stores and shops in it, like fast food restaurants, snack stalls, coffee shops, flower shops, boutiques and more. But that's only my observation. We'll see in the coning moths. That's all folks. Hope this new development is a good news to you!
Ops! By the way. There are some folks specially long timers who still called or referred to the entire Bonifacio Global City as The Fort. I think it is no longer applicable. And it's wrong nowadays to use that term. It creates confusion if you're giving direction. The Fort is a strip and only a spot within the BGC. The Fort is not the BGC. Cheers!
Read more...
The new BGC Bus Terminal building is located at the south corner of EDSA and McKinley Rd. Commuters' entrance and boarding area is located at the service road which runs right from the foot of the MRT staircase and bends leftward towards McKinley. See transfer from a MRT train to BBC bus has not been easier this time around. For direction to your destination to BGC building from MRT Ayala Station, go to -> Commute Guide To Buildings & Attractions Inside BGC From MRT Ayala Station for detailed direction from a BGC bus stop (unloading station) to your destination.
As of this writing, a convenience store is already opened in the new BGC Bus terminal building. But the way the facade of the building is being finished, there will be more stores and shops in it, like fast food restaurants, snack stalls, coffee shops, flower shops, boutiques and more. But that's only my observation. We'll see in the coning moths. That's all folks. Hope this new development is a good news to you!
Ops! By the way. There are some folks specially long timers who still called or referred to the entire Bonifacio Global City as The Fort. I think it is no longer applicable. And it's wrong nowadays to use that term. It creates confusion if you're giving direction. The Fort is a strip and only a spot within the BGC. The Fort is not the BGC. Cheers!
17 Feb 2014
Skyway Stage 3 Construction Begins
Alternate Routes
Alternate routes are either perpendicular or paralleled artillery roads to SLEX with others intersecting it. You can avoid the bottleneck by taking one of these thoroughfares while MMDA still plans in adding rerouting schemes. As of this writing, the alternative routes available are the following: FB Harrison, Leon Guinto, Macapagal Blvd, Pedro Gil, Pres Quirino, Roxas Blvd, Taft Ave and Singalong.
Fencing
Although the full blast construction of Skyway 3 is scheduled to start this April, two southbound inner lanes and the center island will be fenced 10 pm today. Center island will be moved a little bit to equal the number of lanes in southbound and northbound directions. Once the center island is already moved, it will be used for the pillars of the elevated highway. No trees will be cut, they'll be undergone a process in which they will be taken care of and transplant back again once the project is complete.
Digging inside the fenced center of the affected part of Osmena Highway which starts from Vito Cruz will not happen yet. MMDA will observe the level of effect on the flow of traffic and make necessary adjustment. Alternative routes will be added depending upon the gravity of effect on the volume of traffic caused. Once the created flow of traffic is manageable, works will proceed immediately. And if the traffic becomes so serious, they'll add more alternate routes.
Initial Phase
The area which will be the center of the works of the initial phase of construction measured around 300 meters. It starts from Vito Cruz and works progress up to San Andres.
Skyway Stage 3 when finished
It spans 14.8 kilometers from where it connects to the old Skyway up to Balintawak. It passes through the highly dense areas of Metro Manila and it snakes its way above different connected main thoroughfares. From Makati, it winds and ends in Balintawak passing through Buendia, Quirino, Nagtahan, Aurora Blvd, E Rodriguez, Quezon Ave and Sgt Rivera, in that order. Driving to Makati from NLEX would be in a breeze. Traveling time from Alabang to Bulacan and vice versa will be greatly reduced. Meanwhile, below the newly constructed Skyway, buses, jeepneys and taxis pass through without any gridlock. Each intersection that the jeepney you're riding in approaches has no standstill traffic. Waiting for a go signal is very brief. Not to mention the aesthetic aspects of shaded ground level roads embellished with different kinds of foliage and ornaments in different spots. This project is very auspicious, it catapults Metro Manila to the spot occupied by Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur in city planning.
Sacrifice Sought
The Skyway is not intended to benefit private car owners only. It is designed for the benefits of students, jeepney drivers, taxi drivers, professional workers as well as blue collars. Once the flows of traffic in the city streets that crisscrossing President Osmena Highway and all the thoroughfares beneath the elevated highway are lessen, public commuters will spend less time commuting. They'll arrive at their destination on time. Be it your school or work, you would arrive there without stress. You don't need to wake up early to make up for the traffic of commute. Jeepney drivers would definitely increase their income because they'll increase number of passing through their routes without traffic. Skyway 3 project is for the entire Filipino nation. Kudos to DPWH!
11 Jan 2014
Comet E-Jeepney Is The New King Of Philippine Roads
Move over PUJ jeepney, COMET E-Jeepney is here. Yes! And it's taking your place as king of the road in Metro Manila. Packed with hi-tech features for the riding public, the new electrically powered public transportation vehicle for the masses hits the road this March.
Beginning of a new era
The forthcoming start of operation of the City Optimized Managed Environmental Transport (COMET) E-Jeepneys marks the beginning of a modernized public transportation system in the Philippines similar to the ones already existed in our neighboring Southeast Asian countries for so many years now.
For starters, fare is charged and paid through card. No ticket booth lines, no fare collection on board. Next, there are designated loading and unloading areas at which boarding passengers should wait and alighting passengers should get off. Now that's civilized way of commuting. These coupled ways of commuting, card payment system and loading/unloading only in designated areas, has long been the rule enforced and observed in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hong Kong. Among the contemporaries, the Philippines is the only country that is still primitive in the area of moving its people through reliable, efficient and fast public transportation.
Moving forward, the COMET E-Jeepney is environment friendly as it doesn't emit fumes which caused polution.
High-tech
Each unit of COMET E-Jeepneys has wifi connection, flat screen tv, built-in camera for passengers' security and above all it utilizes a technology called 'air suspension' which enables the vehicle to drop and load disabled persons fast, safe and conveniently by lowering the platform in the door area and automatically moving it back up again to floor level of the vehicle. Definitely a good news for persons with disabilities. Lastly, the hi-tech e-jeep is capable of passing through flooded areas. That's what I've heard. Just want to see as to what extent. Very interesting! Let's just see come rainy season.
More economical to the old PUJ jeepney
Compare to regular jeepney, comet e-jeepney is cost efficient as it only needs to be charged for 5 hours in 220 volts that would amount to Php 400 to 500. With the same distance both types of jeepney take, traditional PUJ consume diesel that costs drivers and operators money amount to the tune of Php 1,200. Even with the impending power hike, electric consumption needed to charge COMET jeepney is way too low.
Initial Route
The first batch of COMETS numbering to 30 units is scheduled to open officially this coming March. They will serve the riding public from North EDSA to EDSA Ortigas and vice versa. Existing jeepney fare rate applied and charged through the card.
Let's welcome the arrival of COMETs!
Read more...
Beginning of a new era
For starters, fare is charged and paid through card. No ticket booth lines, no fare collection on board. Next, there are designated loading and unloading areas at which boarding passengers should wait and alighting passengers should get off. Now that's civilized way of commuting. These coupled ways of commuting, card payment system and loading/unloading only in designated areas, has long been the rule enforced and observed in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hong Kong. Among the contemporaries, the Philippines is the only country that is still primitive in the area of moving its people through reliable, efficient and fast public transportation.
Moving forward, the COMET E-Jeepney is environment friendly as it doesn't emit fumes which caused polution.
High-tech
More economical to the old PUJ jeepney
Compare to regular jeepney, comet e-jeepney is cost efficient as it only needs to be charged for 5 hours in 220 volts that would amount to Php 400 to 500. With the same distance both types of jeepney take, traditional PUJ consume diesel that costs drivers and operators money amount to the tune of Php 1,200. Even with the impending power hike, electric consumption needed to charge COMET jeepney is way too low.
Initial Route
The first batch of COMETS numbering to 30 units is scheduled to open officially this coming March. They will serve the riding public from North EDSA to EDSA Ortigas and vice versa. Existing jeepney fare rate applied and charged through the card.
Let's welcome the arrival of COMETs!
22 Nov 2013
How to avoid Taxi Scams in Manila using a Taxi Booking App?
Christmas is the time to love, give, and be extra-careful amidst the prevalence of crimes, especially theft, robbery, and transportation-related scams. If you've been watching the news lately, you'll be reasonably anxious to ride a taxi in Metro Manila. But worry no more, since you can now order registered taxis, monitor, and track them in real time using Easy Taxi.
Here's a quick guide to avoiding taxi scams with Easy Taxi, the world's largest and most trusted taxi-booking application:
1. Download the Easy Taxi mobile application for FREE using your Android device, Blackberry 10, or iPhone from www.easytaxi.com. You can also order taxis from the website without downloading the app using your laptop.
2. Enter your name, number, pick-up location, and destination. Click "call taxi now".
3. Receive a confirmation message with the driver's details: name, photo, phone number, plate number, and car model. You will also get a phone call from Easy Taxi customer service updating you about the driver's present location. Easy Taxi customer service is available for questions and reports 24/7.
In a few minutes, your exclusive taxi service bearing the Easy Taxi sticker will arrive at your chosen pick-up location. Waive at the driver or nod when he says your name.
Easy Taxi connects you to the nearest available driver via GPS anywhere in Metro Manila so you can have a fast and efficient transportation. The app records your transaction history and monitors the taxi drivers in real time. It also features a "tip driver" option so the highest bidder can be prioritized during rush hours or when there is a high demand for taxis.
For just 70PHP booking fee added to the regular taxi meter rate, you can have a safe ride, skip waiting for hours, and help the Philippine transportation industry. Easy Taxi not only provides taxi drivers with more passengers and GPS-enabled smart phones, but also teaches them English speaking, self-improvement, and hospitality skills, among others. Just recently, Easy Taxi organized a basketball game for taxi drivers with none other than PBA stars.
You can use the same application in 17 countries and over 50 cities, including Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Korea. Easy Taxi recently partnered with local establishments like restaurants, hotels, and condominiums to reach clients from areas which are not frequented by taxis.
Since its launch in Brazil in 2011, Easy Taxi has been expanding globally through Asia and Africa with localized goals of improving each country's transportation industry. In the Philippines for example, Easy Taxi's advocacy is for the transportation industry to have a more positive image that is safe, modern, efficient, and helpful to local drivers.
Riding a cab is now a four-way traffic towards helping passengers, drivers, investors, and the transportation industry in general. As if that's not enough motivation, you earn bonus points for your next ride with every use of the app. For more details visit www.easytaxi.com.
Author's Bio:
Ciara Gallardo Juan has over three years of experience as writer, webmaster, SEO specialist, and web marketer. Educated in Law, Psychology, Digital Arts, and Programming. Studying Web Development. For more information about her, visit her Google+ profile at https://plus.google.com/111875017071207694689
Read more...
1. Download the Easy Taxi mobile application for FREE using your Android device, Blackberry 10, or iPhone from www.easytaxi.com. You can also order taxis from the website without downloading the app using your laptop.
2. Enter your name, number, pick-up location, and destination. Click "call taxi now".
3. Receive a confirmation message with the driver's details: name, photo, phone number, plate number, and car model. You will also get a phone call from Easy Taxi customer service updating you about the driver's present location. Easy Taxi customer service is available for questions and reports 24/7.
In a few minutes, your exclusive taxi service bearing the Easy Taxi sticker will arrive at your chosen pick-up location. Waive at the driver or nod when he says your name.
Easy Taxi connects you to the nearest available driver via GPS anywhere in Metro Manila so you can have a fast and efficient transportation. The app records your transaction history and monitors the taxi drivers in real time. It also features a "tip driver" option so the highest bidder can be prioritized during rush hours or when there is a high demand for taxis.
For just 70PHP booking fee added to the regular taxi meter rate, you can have a safe ride, skip waiting for hours, and help the Philippine transportation industry. Easy Taxi not only provides taxi drivers with more passengers and GPS-enabled smart phones, but also teaches them English speaking, self-improvement, and hospitality skills, among others. Just recently, Easy Taxi organized a basketball game for taxi drivers with none other than PBA stars.
Since its launch in Brazil in 2011, Easy Taxi has been expanding globally through Asia and Africa with localized goals of improving each country's transportation industry. In the Philippines for example, Easy Taxi's advocacy is for the transportation industry to have a more positive image that is safe, modern, efficient, and helpful to local drivers.
Riding a cab is now a four-way traffic towards helping passengers, drivers, investors, and the transportation industry in general. As if that's not enough motivation, you earn bonus points for your next ride with every use of the app. For more details visit www.easytaxi.com.
Author's Bio:
Ciara Gallardo Juan has over three years of experience as writer, webmaster, SEO specialist, and web marketer. Educated in Law, Psychology, Digital Arts, and Programming. Studying Web Development. For more information about her, visit her Google+ profile at https://plus.google.com/111875017071207694689
6 Aug 2013
South-West Bus Terminal Inaugurates Today
Update: 11 May 2017 Important: Southwest Integrated Provincial Bus Terminal has transferred to HK Sun Plaza in Pasay. Please read the new published article How to Get to Southwest Integrated Provincial Bus Terminal to get commuting direction from your location to the new terminal of buses bound for Cavite, Batangas and Mindoro. End of Update
South West Integrated Terminal for passenger liners bound to Cavite and Batangas (vice versa) inaugurates today, August 6, 2013. The inauguration which starts at 4:30 am finally sealed the commitment of MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) to ease the traffic along main thoroughfares of our metropolis.
The bus station with the official name of South-West Integrated Provincial Transport System is constructed with interest of the riding public in the mind of those who are responsible for its design and amenities. Firstly, it is built inside a mall where passengers can shop and dine before going home. A popular brand of grocery store for the masses is located inside of Coastal Mall where this terminal is located. Second, loading areas for city buses of different routes are very near. In fact, out-bound city buses from MMDA's "Bus Management Dispatch System" station passes through the frontage of South West Terminal. I think it is safe to assume that they will build bus bays for city buses right in that area. For now, if you ask me regarding the right spot of loading for city buses, you can ride along Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, the road that bounded the provincial terminal to the west.
If there are questions that you may have, like "how to get to South West Terminal", "exact location", "provincial routes of the buses", "how to get to your destination from South West Terminal", etc, please read my two previous posts about this bus terminal. Here are the links: Integrated Bus Terminal For Batangas & Cavite Buses Opens and South West Integrated Terminal & City Buses Coastal Mall Station.
Watch for upcoming post that will discuss detailed directions from South West Integrated Terminal to various important spots like NAIA Terminals, MOA, DFA, Ortigas, etc. Furthermore, for more convenient commute I will give you the list of routes of UV Express which has their own terminal inside South West Integrated.
Read more...
South West Integrated Terminal for passenger liners bound to Cavite and Batangas (vice versa) inaugurates today, August 6, 2013. The inauguration which starts at 4:30 am finally sealed the commitment of MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) to ease the traffic along main thoroughfares of our metropolis.
Watch for upcoming post that will discuss detailed directions from South West Integrated Terminal to various important spots like NAIA Terminals, MOA, DFA, Ortigas, etc. Furthermore, for more convenient commute I will give you the list of routes of UV Express which has their own terminal inside South West Integrated.
25 Jul 2013
Commute Guide To Manila Based On Bus Ban Ordinance
Attention: All commuters and passengers. To make sure that the bus you will ride is allowed to traverse Manila, look for the tagging sticker which must be attached in front of the bus. The sticker has white background and black text. Written are the following: Body number, plate number, and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno's signature over his printed name. According to Mayor Joseph Estrada buses are now allowed to enter the city provided they have the stickers which are given to ten buses per (bus) company. Loading/Unloading zones are strictly enforced. The following are the only places you can ride and alight: Quirino cor Taft Ave, Rizal Park Taft Ave, Park&Ride Lawton, UST below Pedestrian Overpass. To avoid hassles and inconveniences, please be guided accordingly. This first paragraph of this article is an update. The original article starts on the second paragraph. Watch for more updates as the situation in Manila's on-going modification of bus ban ordinance is improving. This update will be edited to keep you posted. So make sure to check this post from time to time. (end of update)
The new city ordinance of Manila which bans and prohibits all city buses as well as provincial ones from entering the city border creates displacement among passengers and commuters. Most of them get confused as to where and what route to take from where the buses stop to the location of their respective destinations within the city of Manila.
Buses from south of Metro Manila that take Roxas Blvd have to end their trips at Gil Puyat corner Roxas Blvd in Pasay City. They shall make a U-turn and take the opposite lane that goes back to their point of origins. Bus routes affected are those from Alabang, Las Pinas, Bacoor, Paranaque, etc.
Meanwhile, provincial buses are allowed to enter the city up to Pablo Ocampo aka Vito Cruz only. They shall turn left onto Pablo Ocampo and left again onto RoXas Blvd to take the route back to their provincial terminals.
Buses from north of Metro Manila that take Quezon Ave have to end their trips at Welcome Rotunda in Quezon City. They shall use the Welcome Rotunda roundabout to return to their point of origin. Affected buses are those with "Fairview to Quiapo" and vice versa route. The usual route of these buses was up to Quiapo only. They don't have any terminals in Manila. As such they use small roads as their U-turns back to their origins. These roads could only accommodate light vehicles like jeepneys and cars.
Route #1 - to PRC Morayta, Lerma, UP Manila, PWU, PGH, Quiapo, Pedro Gil Taft, UN Ave Taft, Manila City Hall, SM City Manila and other destinations nearby.
Take a jeepney with any of these signs: "Pasay Taft", "Pedro Gil PGH", "Lerma Morayta", "Quiapo". All jeepneys bound for your destination in Manila come from two directions: Cubao and Fairvew. Those from Cubao take E Rodriguez Sr Ave while those from Fairview or Philcoa take Quezon Ave. So, if you find it too hard to ride a jeepney with vacant seats, you might want to go to E Rodriguez Sr Ave where some passengers are also getting off the jeep.
Route #2 - to Mabini Ermita, Del Pilar Malate, UN Ave Mabini or Del Pilar, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Roxas Blvd, Pedro Gil Mabini and Del Pilar area, Robinson's Ermita, US Embassy and other areas nearby.
The sign of jeepney that you must ride is "Baclaran Mabini" or "Vito Cruz Mabini." Most of these jeepneys come from E Rodriguez Sr Ave so you may go there if the ones that pass by at Welcome Rotunda are already full.
The spot where you alighted at Roxas Blvd cor Gil Puyat is nearer to a U-Turn of Gil Puyat where jeepneys headed to "Guadalupe" and PRC (Philippine Racing Club)" pass through. Walk to that area and take any of these jeepneys and alight at Taft Ave where you will ride another jeepney to your destination. Go to loading area along Taft Ave near cor Gil Puyat Ave.
Route #1 - To Carriedo, Sta Cruz Manila, Recto Avenida, Escolta and other destinations nearby.
Ride a jeepney with "Monumento" sign and get off the jeep at Sta Cruz. Walk to your destination. If your destination is at Recto, alight at the corner of Avenida and Recto Ave.
Route #2 - To Quiapo, Lerma, Morayta, PRC Morayta, UST, Espana, Lacson Ave and other destinations nearby.
Ride a jeepney with "Cubao UST Espana" sign. Ask driver to drop you off at your destination. If you are in a hurry and there is no jeepney of this sign, make a two ride - to Quiapo and then to Espana Blvd.
Route #3 - To La Salle Taft, PWU, UP Manila, Pedro Gil Taft, PGH, UN Taft, Philippine Normal University, Manila City Hall, SM City Manila and other spots nearby.
Take a jeepney with any of the signs in Route #1 and Route #2 and alight at your destination. Ask driver to drop you off.
Route #4 - MH Del Pilar, Mabini, Roxas Blvd, Harrison Plaza, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Robinson's Place Ermita Pamantasan ng Lungson ng Maynila and other areas nearby.
From where you got off the bus at Roxas Blvd cor Gil Puyat, walk along Gil Puyat toward Taft Ave until you get to the corner of Harrison St which is very near. Ride a jeepney with any of these signs: "Divisoria Mabini", "Monumento Mabini", "Quiapo Mabini." Ask driver to drop you off at your specific destination.
Lots of bus drivers reacted to this city ordinance implemented by the honorable mayor of Manila, former Pres Joseph Estrada. The bus drivers are claiming that their income is badly affected as half is now gone. These are the same persons who didn't have any consideration for others as they stopped in the middle of Espana Blvd to load and unload passengers. These are the same individuals who had no mercy on other motorists as they blocked, side by side, the entire southbound lane of Taft Ave cor Pedro Gil and remained there even if the traffic lights were already green for them. Up to the last minute, their only concern is their own welfare. Hope they utter words of cooperation like observing traffic rules from now on in exchange of allowing them to traverse Manila thoroughfares again.
Read more...
The new city ordinance of Manila which bans and prohibits all city buses as well as provincial ones from entering the city border creates displacement among passengers and commuters. Most of them get confused as to where and what route to take from where the buses stop to the location of their respective destinations within the city of Manila.
Unexpected Drop-off kilometers away from destinations
Buses from south of Metro Manila that take Roxas Blvd have to end their trips at Gil Puyat corner Roxas Blvd in Pasay City. They shall make a U-turn and take the opposite lane that goes back to their point of origins. Bus routes affected are those from Alabang, Las Pinas, Bacoor, Paranaque, etc.
Meanwhile, provincial buses are allowed to enter the city up to Pablo Ocampo aka Vito Cruz only. They shall turn left onto Pablo Ocampo and left again onto RoXas Blvd to take the route back to their provincial terminals.
Buses from north of Metro Manila that take Quezon Ave have to end their trips at Welcome Rotunda in Quezon City. They shall use the Welcome Rotunda roundabout to return to their point of origin. Affected buses are those with "Fairview to Quiapo" and vice versa route. The usual route of these buses was up to Quiapo only. They don't have any terminals in Manila. As such they use small roads as their U-turns back to their origins. These roads could only accommodate light vehicles like jeepneys and cars.
How to commute from Welcome Rotunda to your destination in Manila
Route #1 - to PRC Morayta, Lerma, UP Manila, PWU, PGH, Quiapo, Pedro Gil Taft, UN Ave Taft, Manila City Hall, SM City Manila and other destinations nearby.
Take a jeepney with any of these signs: "Pasay Taft", "Pedro Gil PGH", "Lerma Morayta", "Quiapo". All jeepneys bound for your destination in Manila come from two directions: Cubao and Fairvew. Those from Cubao take E Rodriguez Sr Ave while those from Fairview or Philcoa take Quezon Ave. So, if you find it too hard to ride a jeepney with vacant seats, you might want to go to E Rodriguez Sr Ave where some passengers are also getting off the jeep.
Route #2 - to Mabini Ermita, Del Pilar Malate, UN Ave Mabini or Del Pilar, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Roxas Blvd, Pedro Gil Mabini and Del Pilar area, Robinson's Ermita, US Embassy and other areas nearby.
The sign of jeepney that you must ride is "Baclaran Mabini" or "Vito Cruz Mabini." Most of these jeepneys come from E Rodriguez Sr Ave so you may go there if the ones that pass by at Welcome Rotunda are already full.
How to commute from Roxas Blvd-Gil Puyat to your destination in Manila
The spot where you alighted at Roxas Blvd cor Gil Puyat is nearer to a U-Turn of Gil Puyat where jeepneys headed to "Guadalupe" and PRC (Philippine Racing Club)" pass through. Walk to that area and take any of these jeepneys and alight at Taft Ave where you will ride another jeepney to your destination. Go to loading area along Taft Ave near cor Gil Puyat Ave.
Route #1 - To Carriedo, Sta Cruz Manila, Recto Avenida, Escolta and other destinations nearby.
Ride a jeepney with "Monumento" sign and get off the jeep at Sta Cruz. Walk to your destination. If your destination is at Recto, alight at the corner of Avenida and Recto Ave.
Route #2 - To Quiapo, Lerma, Morayta, PRC Morayta, UST, Espana, Lacson Ave and other destinations nearby.
Ride a jeepney with "Cubao UST Espana" sign. Ask driver to drop you off at your destination. If you are in a hurry and there is no jeepney of this sign, make a two ride - to Quiapo and then to Espana Blvd.
Route #3 - To La Salle Taft, PWU, UP Manila, Pedro Gil Taft, PGH, UN Taft, Philippine Normal University, Manila City Hall, SM City Manila and other spots nearby.
Take a jeepney with any of the signs in Route #1 and Route #2 and alight at your destination. Ask driver to drop you off.
Route #4 - MH Del Pilar, Mabini, Roxas Blvd, Harrison Plaza, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Robinson's Place Ermita Pamantasan ng Lungson ng Maynila and other areas nearby.
From where you got off the bus at Roxas Blvd cor Gil Puyat, walk along Gil Puyat toward Taft Ave until you get to the corner of Harrison St which is very near. Ride a jeepney with any of these signs: "Divisoria Mabini", "Monumento Mabini", "Quiapo Mabini." Ask driver to drop you off at your specific destination.
Emotion of unruly and disruptive bus drivers
2 Jul 2013
Espana Blvd-Lacson Ave Underpass to Decongest Traffic
In life something has to give in order to gain another. For decades, the intersection of Lacson Ave and Espana Blvd had been pain in the neck for us all that passed through it. You could be a commuter on a jeepney bound for Quiapo. Or the driver of that jeepney itself. Or maybe you're a motorist that stuck in the traffic. Whichever individual you are from the aforementioned, one thing is for sure. You've been pissed off by never ending traffic in one of the most popular, or should I say infamous, road intersections of Metro Manila. The location also falls as one of the critical areas during rainy season due to flash floods.
Now that our government has found a solution, in good faith, scores of individuals raise their concerns over fear of worsened flooding in the area. And who can question the integrity of their sentiment? Trees do reduce flooding by absorbing water through their roots. Earlier, DPWH proposed a plan to build a flyover along Lacson Ave. The plan was scrapped due to UST'S opposition who claimed the proposed project to decongest traffic would ultimately "result in urban decay."
Once finished, the project will be known as Espana Blvd-Lacson Ave Underpass. It will be built along Espana, intersecting Lacson by passing under it. Imagine yourself driving continuously past Lacson without the long wait for red traffic lights to turn green. Or commuting in a jeepney or bus and you don't even notice that you're already past Lacson Ave.
Here's the plan. First, DPWH will undertake road-widening. Once Espana Blvd is widened, works on the underpass project starts. Now to widen Espana, they have to cut trees along the boulevard. An estimated 300 trees will be cut down. There is where issues arise. Environmentalists, students, school authorities call for the stoppage of the whole project. They chant "No to cutting trees in Lacson Yes to environmental sustainability."
There are two elements present in the area of Espana Blvd-Lacson Ave intersection. One is the perennial traffic which will not go away. Another is "the trees" which somehow prevent flash floods from getting worse although the way we've seen it, that's already the case every rainy season. Fact is - commuters, motorists, pedestrians and automobiles are not dwindling in numbers. Rather, they multiplied. New and second hand cars are bought daily, high school graduates from different provinces entered Manila colleges and universities yearly, and newly graduates have to find jobs. The reality is traffic congestion in Espana and Lacson intersection will inevitably get worse.
While trees play major role in reducing carbon emissions as well as lessening the impact of floods, it's also reality that mature tree transplanting and tree moving are done today as ways to replace ones needed to cut down. There are ample spaces meters away from the existing trees where transplanting can be done.
Groups who oppose to this project may become successful in stopping this awesome development. DPWH may give in to those powerful calls and outcry. For now. Yes for now. But as traffic condition in Espana and Lacson turns from bad to worse... and from worse to extremely worse, secondary thoroughfare will be eventually built. Be it a flyover or underpass, time will come when those people who oppose it right now will realize that indeed the underpass should go on. After all, is there any way?
Read more...
Now that our government has found a solution, in good faith, scores of individuals raise their concerns over fear of worsened flooding in the area. And who can question the integrity of their sentiment? Trees do reduce flooding by absorbing water through their roots. Earlier, DPWH proposed a plan to build a flyover along Lacson Ave. The plan was scrapped due to UST'S opposition who claimed the proposed project to decongest traffic would ultimately "result in urban decay."
Underpass - seen as solution to ease up the heavy traffic
Once finished, the project will be known as Espana Blvd-Lacson Ave Underpass. It will be built along Espana, intersecting Lacson by passing under it. Imagine yourself driving continuously past Lacson without the long wait for red traffic lights to turn green. Or commuting in a jeepney or bus and you don't even notice that you're already past Lacson Ave.
Here's the plan. First, DPWH will undertake road-widening. Once Espana Blvd is widened, works on the underpass project starts. Now to widen Espana, they have to cut trees along the boulevard. An estimated 300 trees will be cut down. There is where issues arise. Environmentalists, students, school authorities call for the stoppage of the whole project. They chant "No to cutting trees in Lacson Yes to environmental sustainability."
Reality
There are two elements present in the area of Espana Blvd-Lacson Ave intersection. One is the perennial traffic which will not go away. Another is "the trees" which somehow prevent flash floods from getting worse although the way we've seen it, that's already the case every rainy season. Fact is - commuters, motorists, pedestrians and automobiles are not dwindling in numbers. Rather, they multiplied. New and second hand cars are bought daily, high school graduates from different provinces entered Manila colleges and universities yearly, and newly graduates have to find jobs. The reality is traffic congestion in Espana and Lacson intersection will inevitably get worse.
While trees play major role in reducing carbon emissions as well as lessening the impact of floods, it's also reality that mature tree transplanting and tree moving are done today as ways to replace ones needed to cut down. There are ample spaces meters away from the existing trees where transplanting can be done.
Inevitable
Groups who oppose to this project may become successful in stopping this awesome development. DPWH may give in to those powerful calls and outcry. For now. Yes for now. But as traffic condition in Espana and Lacson turns from bad to worse... and from worse to extremely worse, secondary thoroughfare will be eventually built. Be it a flyover or underpass, time will come when those people who oppose it right now will realize that indeed the underpass should go on. After all, is there any way?
21 Jun 2013
Integrated Bus Terminal For Batangas & Cavite Buses Opens
The first integrated bus terminal for provincial buses in Metro Manila which aims to ease traffic in the metropolis is scheduled to open on August 6, 2013. The initial integrated terminal is built for buses that ply the routes of Batangas-Manila and Cavite-Manila. After August 6, 2013, these buses will no longer be allowed to take their usual routes from their respective origins beyond the location of the integrated terminal designated for them.
The bus depot for the two provinces of CALABARZON is located at Coastal Mall which is situated at the corner of Aguinaldo Blvd and NAIA Rd Ext in Paranaque City. Aguinaldo Blvd which is also known as Coastal Rd is the extension of Roxas Blvd. Similar integrated bus terminals are set to open in Alabang and North EDSA. Alabang Integrated Bus Terminal will serve buses from other provinces south of Manila, e.g., Laguna, Quezon, etc. Meanwhile, North EDSA Integrated Bus Terminal will be the home of buses from provinces north of Metro Manila such as Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, etc.
Via EDSA - Just ride a bus with "MIA" or "NAIA" sign. You can take this bus from any point in EDSA. In some cases, you might need to take two bus rides if you don't find a NAIA bus in your area. Drop off at Coastal Mall. You use this route from any of the following locations: Novaliches, Fairview, Munoz, Cubao, Megamall, Guadalupe, etc.
Via LRT - From any station, get off the train at EDSA Station and ride a "NAIA" bound bus and alight at Coastal Mall.
Via MRT - From any station, alight at Taft Station and take "NAIA" bound bus and alight at Coastal Mall.
If you are having a problem in commuting to your destination after getting off the provincial bus in Coastal Mall, please read the newly created post entitled Commute Guide From South West Terminal To Different Locations. You can click that link or go here. Listed there are locations of terminals of jeepneys, city buses and UV Express headed outside of Coastal Mall and South West Integrated.
All passengers from Batangas and Cavite should alight at Coastal Mall. From there, they can take another bus or jeepney on the way to their destinations. They can take a bus bound for "Monumento", "Cubao", "Fairview", etc and drop off at their destination or at MRT Taft Staion/LRT EDSA Station. From these stations, ride a train and alight at station nearer to your destination. If you want to know where to ride a city bus after alighting a provincial bus at Coastal Mall, please go to South West Integrated Terminal & City Buses Coastal Mall Station.
For years, terminals of these buses in Metro Manila were found in different locations in Pasay and Manila areas. Gil Puyat aka Buendia in Taft Ave for one had been popular location of many terminals for these provincial buses. Lawton and Sta Cruz in Manila were also known as bastion for these passenger liners.
According to MMDA, volume of traffic along major roads of Metro Manila will be decreased once the three big bus integrated terminals are completed. The available spaces gained from the removal of provincial buses will be used by fewer buses and motorists. Thus, significantly reducing traffic.
Although this major change in commuting brings huge inconveniences for our fellow citizens who travel to their works from their respective provincial towns, colossal benefits for the majority in terms of fast and smooth commute and drive within our metropolis are achieved.
Furthermore, numbers of vehicular accidents that involved mostly buses will decreased significantly. In the process, we ease the traffic and save lives.
Disclaimer: This blog is not responsible for any changes in scheduled date of opening contain herein.
Read more...
Location of Integrated Bus Terminal for Batangas & Cavite Buses
The bus depot for the two provinces of CALABARZON is located at Coastal Mall which is situated at the corner of Aguinaldo Blvd and NAIA Rd Ext in Paranaque City. Aguinaldo Blvd which is also known as Coastal Rd is the extension of Roxas Blvd. Similar integrated bus terminals are set to open in Alabang and North EDSA. Alabang Integrated Bus Terminal will serve buses from other provinces south of Manila, e.g., Laguna, Quezon, etc. Meanwhile, North EDSA Integrated Bus Terminal will be the home of buses from provinces north of Metro Manila such as Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, etc.
How To Get To Coastal Mall Integrated Bus Terminal
Via EDSA - Just ride a bus with "MIA" or "NAIA" sign. You can take this bus from any point in EDSA. In some cases, you might need to take two bus rides if you don't find a NAIA bus in your area. Drop off at Coastal Mall. You use this route from any of the following locations: Novaliches, Fairview, Munoz, Cubao, Megamall, Guadalupe, etc.
Via LRT - From any station, get off the train at EDSA Station and ride a "NAIA" bound bus and alight at Coastal Mall.
Via MRT - From any station, alight at Taft Station and take "NAIA" bound bus and alight at Coastal Mall.
How To Commute From Integrated Terminal To Different Locations In Metro Manila
If you are having a problem in commuting to your destination after getting off the provincial bus in Coastal Mall, please read the newly created post entitled Commute Guide From South West Terminal To Different Locations. You can click that link or go here. Listed there are locations of terminals of jeepneys, city buses and UV Express headed outside of Coastal Mall and South West Integrated.
Affected Passengers
All passengers from Batangas and Cavite should alight at Coastal Mall. From there, they can take another bus or jeepney on the way to their destinations. They can take a bus bound for "Monumento", "Cubao", "Fairview", etc and drop off at their destination or at MRT Taft Staion/LRT EDSA Station. From these stations, ride a train and alight at station nearer to your destination. If you want to know where to ride a city bus after alighting a provincial bus at Coastal Mall, please go to South West Integrated Terminal & City Buses Coastal Mall Station.
Affected Buses
For years, terminals of these buses in Metro Manila were found in different locations in Pasay and Manila areas. Gil Puyat aka Buendia in Taft Ave for one had been popular location of many terminals for these provincial buses. Lawton and Sta Cruz in Manila were also known as bastion for these passenger liners.
Long Term Benefits
According to MMDA, volume of traffic along major roads of Metro Manila will be decreased once the three big bus integrated terminals are completed. The available spaces gained from the removal of provincial buses will be used by fewer buses and motorists. Thus, significantly reducing traffic.
Although this major change in commuting brings huge inconveniences for our fellow citizens who travel to their works from their respective provincial towns, colossal benefits for the majority in terms of fast and smooth commute and drive within our metropolis are achieved.
Furthermore, numbers of vehicular accidents that involved mostly buses will decreased significantly. In the process, we ease the traffic and save lives.
Disclaimer: This blog is not responsible for any changes in scheduled date of opening contain herein.
28 Sept 2012
Araneta Ave-Quezon Ave Underpass Grand Opening
Today, September 28, 2012, Araneta Ave-Quezon Ave underpass aka C3-Quezon Ave Tunnel opens doors to the public. Commuters and motorists celebrate as the approximately 15-month stressful traffic in the intersection of Araneta Ave and Quezon Ave caused by the underpass construction that started June of last year has finally come to an end. It was a long wait and the daily traffic jam have had put patience of drivers and commuters to the test.
The much awaited opening of Php 430 million peso government project which aimed to improve traffic situation in the area was inaugurated by no less than President Benigno Nonoy Aquino III. Prior to opening day, clamors of jeepney drivers and private car owners were seen on prime time news as the project couldn't open yet even if it's already finished as of last week. Well, that's the way it goes folks. We have schedule to follow. What can I say, the tunnel is now passable. And since the underpass is already operational, let's enjoy the ride to our work or school whether by commuting or driving. As for me, I'm now excited to have "Araneta Ave-Quezon Ave Underpass" on my upcoming posts in giving you guys directions and guides in your daily commute and drive.
With the Araneta Ave-Quezon Ave Underpass now completed and it will be known simply as G Araneta Underpass, a motorist headed to Philcoa, Quezon City Memorial Circle or Quezon City Hall can now go and take the whole stretch of Quezon Ave from Welcome Rotunda without the worry of getting stuck in the traffic. For those who drive big trucks and other tall vehicles, vertical clearance of Araneta Underpass is 5.2 meters only. So, check the height of your vehicle before passing through the tunnel to avoid accident. We've seen scores of accident in the roads which involved overhead structures and tall transport trucks with drivers that overlooked height limit.
This photo shows the volume of traffic along Quiapo bound lane of Quezon Ave prior to the opening of the underpass. Look at that! The tail-end of this traffic jam was extended beyond Caltex Station located before the bridge of San Juan River. And it's taken on a Sunday. I took it myself on Sept 23. Went there, strolled the entire EDSA-bound lane of the tunnel and backed via Quiapo-bound lane taking some pictures. C3-Quezon Ave Underpass has four lanes, two on each of the opposite directions.
The completion of Araneta Ave-Quezon Ave Underpass makes the total number of tunnels along Quezon Ave to two. EDSA-Quezon Ave Underpass project has been operational ever since I wasn't born yet. LOL. That's a joke. I was still not a Manilenio when it got opened. So, which intersection is next? Hopefully, they also build a tunnel in Lacson-Espana intersection. I think everybody agrees when I say that's another traffic hotspot. And can you imagine if there's already a "Lacson-Espana Underpass"? The commute and drive time involved in going to school and work? Whoa! That would be amazing. It's gonna be a whole lot of comfort for drivers as driving from UST to Commonwealth Ave via Espana and Quezon Ave would be in a breeze. I just hope it materialize. And I'm gonna be the first one to publish a blog entry with the title - "Lacson Ave-Espana Blvd Underpass Opens Today".
Read more...
 |
| G Araneta-Quezon Ave Underpass |
 |
| G Araneta Underpass vertical clearance is 5.2 meters |
 |
| Traffic in Quezon Ave before Araneta Underpass opens |
 |
| Araneta Ave-Quezon Ave Tunnel Inauguration - Sept 28, 2012. Photo taken 5 days before the inaugural |
4 Mar 2012
Cebu: Taking Taxi From Mactan Airport To Colon
The first thing that caught my attention the first time I set foot on the "Queen City of the South" is the good character of taxi drivers and the system in which airport taxis are managed. There are two types of taxi in Mactan Cebu International Airport - yellow and white.
Don't go for the yellow colored taxi. They charge more. The white colored taxis charge by the meter. Plug-down rate is Php 40, same as in Manila. As soon as you get in the cab, the driver will give you a slip of paper with DOTC and Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority letterhead in which his taxi's plate number and name are written as well as Police and MCIAA hotlines. He might be late in giving you the paper like you're already taking the highway, but he'll definitely furnish it to you. They don't cheat. Just look at the meter and it flashes 40.00. And you can tell the speed of the meter because you're used to ride taxi in Metro Manila, right? Well, these taxis run on normal speed of their meters.
What's that slip of paper for? If a driver abuses, you can file a complaint. That piece of paper is the proof that you've ridden the cab he's driving. Simple. Secondly, if you've left some belonging on that taxi, you can recover it immediately. Now, can anybody tell us why this system is not implemented at NAIA terminals? Especially that it's commissioned by Department of Transportation and Communication in Lapu Lapu City? At any rate, this systematic regulation at MCIA on its airport taxi gives a strong sense of security and convenience for all arriving visitors to Cebu especially those coming in for the first time.
In NAIA, you either take a yellow-colored taxi and pay a very exorbitant price accumulated by high plug-down rate coupled with the fast speed of its meter or haggle with taxi drivers that will swarm you as soon as you appear in their view and like contractors offer you a contract price of hiring their taxis instead of just taking you home while their meters are on.
My flight to Cebu took only 1 hour and 5 minutes. At 6:55 am, the Air Philippines plane I boarded was already at full stop in Mactan Cebu International Airport. The plane left NAIA-3 at 5:50 am. After asking an MCIA airport personnel, I headed out to the taxi terminal. It's from him that I got the information about the difference between the yellow and white taxis.
From Arrival Lobby, take the main exit to get outside, use the pedestrian crossing and walk across the road towards the Departure Lobby located at the second level of the building across Arrival Lobby building. Go up the second level via access ramp. As soon as you get to departure lobby, go outside via the first entrance/exit glass door. There you'll see other passengers in line while the taxis are arriving one by one. Security officers are assisting the passengers to ensure orderly flow of taxi rides.
In travelling out of town, it's always my habit to go first to a Jollibee outlet near the hotels that I had already checked out on the internet prior to my travel. I would have some meal to freshen up and quickly plan out walking direction to those hotels to check out their rates, check-in time, etc., one after another. In time like this, Latitude App of my cellphone has been a big help. Imagine traveling without a map? Speaking of that, my first tip on this series constitute the basic thing you should not forget in travelling especially when you visit Cebu: Make sure your cellphone has Latitude App. Most android phone has it. If your phone don't have a capability, just bring any map you can buy at any bookstore.
So I told the very well-mannered and honest taxi driver to take me to the Jollibee in Colon, the popular main avenue of downtown Cebu where affordable hotels are located. Of course, I've had done some research and even it's my first time in Cebu City, I already got the sense of the area and I already knew that the right jumping-off point for checking out the hotels on my list is the area in Colon and Osmena intersection. Second tip from me: For first timers in a big city like Cebu, make sure that your immediate destination is already imprinted on your mind even right before you land on the airport. It makes for a worry-free, fast and convenient search of place to stay.
The road from the airport to the Marcelo Fernan Bridge is amazingly clean. And when the taxi turned right onto the famous bridge and I got to see the magnificient masterpiece of engineering that connects Lapu-Lapu City to Mandaue City, I couldn't help but admire the view. Suddenly, I remembered the time when I was on a shuttle in Bangkok that taking me and other tourists to an Elephant Show and the vehicle just made its turn to a bridge that somewhat looked like this, although the one in Bangkok was a bit more sophisticated.
On that early morning of beautiful and clear sky Sunday, the driver passed through this boulevard along Cebu Harbor and "Wow!" I heard myself. This place is amazing. I mean I've seen South and North Harbor of Manila but this area is immaculately clean. The whole stretch of harbor which is to my left is untainted of any slum that you frequently see in Manila. I must admit, I like this boulevard and the view of container vans and buildings of different sizes that lined up the harbor. Later on, I got to learn that it's called McArthur Highway, although, for me it's more looked like a boulevard than a highway.
After we traversed the long and wide artillery "highway", the taxi changed lane to the right and I missed being driven through a long tunnel of Cebu City. That's okay! But then, when I realized that the tunnel runs underneath a beautifully designed park, that's when I thought: They just built a tunnel... for the park. "Can't this thing get any crazier?" This is really amazing. Especially when I learned that the park is right in front of the famous historical landmark called Fort San Pedro. And the park is called La Independcia. "I'm going there as soon as I secured my things at a hotel", I told myself.
And I'm going to guide you how to get there from your hotel, too. Not only to Fort San Pedro but to other major tourist attractions of Cebu City. What are they? To name a few, there's the Taoist Temple. Magellan Cross is a must see in Cebu City. Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino and Cebu Cathedral are also on top of the list. Cebu has a lot of important attractions that tell historical past of our beloved country under Spanish rule. Do you still remember Magellan and our very own Lapu-Lapu? "Who killed who?" I think it would worth your while to see his monument in Mactan, don't you think? In my humble opinion, Cebu should be the first province on your list if you're finally contemplating of exploring some of 7,101 islands of our country. So, to make it more easier for you, I will be publishing commuting directions to Cebu's Tourist Spots. But that's in a seperate post. I will give you the link at the end of this post. In the meantime, discover how fast and easy for me to be billeted in an affordable hotel that answered exactly what I needed during my visit of Cebu. Anyways, as what I've been trying to say a while ago, Cebu City in my belief has undergone a better city planning and infrastructure engineering.
After making a curb and some turns, the taxi stopped opposite a Jollibee. I gave Php 300 to the driver and he quickly gave me the change of Php 64, the meter read Php 236. There's no "Sir-Can-You-Add-A-Little-Bit?" kind of annoying request that I often get from taxi drivers in Metro Manila. He was just sincerely smiling and said "Salamat, sir." They are just so contented with their life, and that makes me admire them. Mactan Cebu International Airport is way too far from downtown Cebu. It's like driving from Quezon Avenue to NAIA-3 via EDSA all the way to Aurora Blvd in Pasay, only we didn't encounter any traffic, maybe because it's still on the early morning of Sunday. I've had my breakfast. Soon I got to learn that I was exactly near the corner of Osmena and Colon. That's the area I want to be. It's very near to the hotels on my list - Golden Valley Hotel, Elicon Hotel, Cebu Business Hotel, Cebu City View Hotel and Sogo Hotel.
After I've eaten my favorite jolly breakfast meal, I opened my Latitude App and then minutes later I was on my way to check out each of the hotels on my list, one after the other. Do you know which one passed? It's Sogo Hotel. Oh! Did I hear you said "Yuck!"?
Here's the deal. Only Sogo would let me in at past 8 am. We all know that hotels check-in time starts 12 noon at the most. But Sogo Cebu City is considerate, the staff are so accommodating. Another major consideration is the free wifi that you can use inside your room. Other hotels on my list have free wifi but only on their lobby. Aside from that, Sogo is the best in location. Very near to the corner of Osmena and one block away from Colon. Golden Valley is a bit far and hidden. Elicon is the farthest. Since Sogo was the only one that addressed my immediate need, I decided to go and checked-in. That way, I got to take a hot shower immediately and I got to take some rest before finally heading out to different attractions of Cebu City which will be the next subject of Directions On Web for those who are planning to come and visit this vibrant city for the first time.
So, if you want to learn how to commute to some of Cebu's Tourist Spots, go to my next post.
You can read it here: How To Commute To Cebu's Tourist Spots
Furthermore, I will be publishing the post on how to locate the affordable hotels that I have mentioned here. More tips accompanied upcoming Cebu posts. Watch for it.
Read more...
 |
| Mactan Airport Taxi Terminal |
What's that slip of paper for? If a driver abuses, you can file a complaint. That piece of paper is the proof that you've ridden the cab he's driving. Simple. Secondly, if you've left some belonging on that taxi, you can recover it immediately. Now, can anybody tell us why this system is not implemented at NAIA terminals? Especially that it's commissioned by Department of Transportation and Communication in Lapu Lapu City? At any rate, this systematic regulation at MCIA on its airport taxi gives a strong sense of security and convenience for all arriving visitors to Cebu especially those coming in for the first time.
In NAIA, you either take a yellow-colored taxi and pay a very exorbitant price accumulated by high plug-down rate coupled with the fast speed of its meter or haggle with taxi drivers that will swarm you as soon as you appear in their view and like contractors offer you a contract price of hiring their taxis instead of just taking you home while their meters are on.
My flight to Cebu took only 1 hour and 5 minutes. At 6:55 am, the Air Philippines plane I boarded was already at full stop in Mactan Cebu International Airport. The plane left NAIA-3 at 5:50 am. After asking an MCIA airport personnel, I headed out to the taxi terminal. It's from him that I got the information about the difference between the yellow and white taxis.
Where is the Mactan Airport Taxi Terminal located?
From Arrival Lobby, take the main exit to get outside, use the pedestrian crossing and walk across the road towards the Departure Lobby located at the second level of the building across Arrival Lobby building. Go up the second level via access ramp. As soon as you get to departure lobby, go outside via the first entrance/exit glass door. There you'll see other passengers in line while the taxis are arriving one by one. Security officers are assisting the passengers to ensure orderly flow of taxi rides.
How did I get to my hotel in a breeze?
In travelling out of town, it's always my habit to go first to a Jollibee outlet near the hotels that I had already checked out on the internet prior to my travel. I would have some meal to freshen up and quickly plan out walking direction to those hotels to check out their rates, check-in time, etc., one after another. In time like this, Latitude App of my cellphone has been a big help. Imagine traveling without a map? Speaking of that, my first tip on this series constitute the basic thing you should not forget in travelling especially when you visit Cebu: Make sure your cellphone has Latitude App. Most android phone has it. If your phone don't have a capability, just bring any map you can buy at any bookstore.
So I told the very well-mannered and honest taxi driver to take me to the Jollibee in Colon, the popular main avenue of downtown Cebu where affordable hotels are located. Of course, I've had done some research and even it's my first time in Cebu City, I already got the sense of the area and I already knew that the right jumping-off point for checking out the hotels on my list is the area in Colon and Osmena intersection. Second tip from me: For first timers in a big city like Cebu, make sure that your immediate destination is already imprinted on your mind even right before you land on the airport. It makes for a worry-free, fast and convenient search of place to stay.
The road from the airport to the Marcelo Fernan Bridge is amazingly clean. And when the taxi turned right onto the famous bridge and I got to see the magnificient masterpiece of engineering that connects Lapu-Lapu City to Mandaue City, I couldn't help but admire the view. Suddenly, I remembered the time when I was on a shuttle in Bangkok that taking me and other tourists to an Elephant Show and the vehicle just made its turn to a bridge that somewhat looked like this, although the one in Bangkok was a bit more sophisticated.
On that early morning of beautiful and clear sky Sunday, the driver passed through this boulevard along Cebu Harbor and "Wow!" I heard myself. This place is amazing. I mean I've seen South and North Harbor of Manila but this area is immaculately clean. The whole stretch of harbor which is to my left is untainted of any slum that you frequently see in Manila. I must admit, I like this boulevard and the view of container vans and buildings of different sizes that lined up the harbor. Later on, I got to learn that it's called McArthur Highway, although, for me it's more looked like a boulevard than a highway.
After we traversed the long and wide artillery "highway", the taxi changed lane to the right and I missed being driven through a long tunnel of Cebu City. That's okay! But then, when I realized that the tunnel runs underneath a beautifully designed park, that's when I thought: They just built a tunnel... for the park. "Can't this thing get any crazier?" This is really amazing. Especially when I learned that the park is right in front of the famous historical landmark called Fort San Pedro. And the park is called La Independcia. "I'm going there as soon as I secured my things at a hotel", I told myself.
And I'm going to guide you how to get there from your hotel, too. Not only to Fort San Pedro but to other major tourist attractions of Cebu City. What are they? To name a few, there's the Taoist Temple. Magellan Cross is a must see in Cebu City. Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino and Cebu Cathedral are also on top of the list. Cebu has a lot of important attractions that tell historical past of our beloved country under Spanish rule. Do you still remember Magellan and our very own Lapu-Lapu? "Who killed who?" I think it would worth your while to see his monument in Mactan, don't you think? In my humble opinion, Cebu should be the first province on your list if you're finally contemplating of exploring some of 7,101 islands of our country. So, to make it more easier for you, I will be publishing commuting directions to Cebu's Tourist Spots. But that's in a seperate post. I will give you the link at the end of this post. In the meantime, discover how fast and easy for me to be billeted in an affordable hotel that answered exactly what I needed during my visit of Cebu. Anyways, as what I've been trying to say a while ago, Cebu City in my belief has undergone a better city planning and infrastructure engineering.
After making a curb and some turns, the taxi stopped opposite a Jollibee. I gave Php 300 to the driver and he quickly gave me the change of Php 64, the meter read Php 236. There's no "Sir-Can-You-Add-A-Little-Bit?" kind of annoying request that I often get from taxi drivers in Metro Manila. He was just sincerely smiling and said "Salamat, sir." They are just so contented with their life, and that makes me admire them. Mactan Cebu International Airport is way too far from downtown Cebu. It's like driving from Quezon Avenue to NAIA-3 via EDSA all the way to Aurora Blvd in Pasay, only we didn't encounter any traffic, maybe because it's still on the early morning of Sunday. I've had my breakfast. Soon I got to learn that I was exactly near the corner of Osmena and Colon. That's the area I want to be. It's very near to the hotels on my list - Golden Valley Hotel, Elicon Hotel, Cebu Business Hotel, Cebu City View Hotel and Sogo Hotel.
After I've eaten my favorite jolly breakfast meal, I opened my Latitude App and then minutes later I was on my way to check out each of the hotels on my list, one after the other. Do you know which one passed? It's Sogo Hotel. Oh! Did I hear you said "Yuck!"?
Here's the deal. Only Sogo would let me in at past 8 am. We all know that hotels check-in time starts 12 noon at the most. But Sogo Cebu City is considerate, the staff are so accommodating. Another major consideration is the free wifi that you can use inside your room. Other hotels on my list have free wifi but only on their lobby. Aside from that, Sogo is the best in location. Very near to the corner of Osmena and one block away from Colon. Golden Valley is a bit far and hidden. Elicon is the farthest. Since Sogo was the only one that addressed my immediate need, I decided to go and checked-in. That way, I got to take a hot shower immediately and I got to take some rest before finally heading out to different attractions of Cebu City which will be the next subject of Directions On Web for those who are planning to come and visit this vibrant city for the first time.
So, if you want to learn how to commute to some of Cebu's Tourist Spots, go to my next post.
You can read it here: How To Commute To Cebu's Tourist Spots
Furthermore, I will be publishing the post on how to locate the affordable hotels that I have mentioned here. More tips accompanied upcoming Cebu posts. Watch for it.
22 Feb 2012
World-Class Airport With The Most Reasonably Priced Food
Travelers usually spend US$ 2 dollars just to buy soda in any airport around the world. I've been to Hong Kong International Airport, Changi Airport and Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Do you know what is the common denominator of these air transportation hubs aside from engineering feat each has? It's the cost of having a fast meal. If your 2 dollars could only buy you a bottle of soft drink, what good is your 4 dollars in having your stomach full or at least feel full.
It's a fact of life that airport is the most expensive place to buy food. And you might say "Hey, why do you need to buy meal in the airport when you're a shoestring traveler?" Well, actually, I could live with that and even before, I didn't give so much attention. Until I discovered this international airport with world class stature but so sensitive to Pinoys economic status that they literally put up a Food Court inside their terminal.
When I flew to Laoag City this past January, I came to this airport way too early. Boarding time was 4 pm, so as per airline policy I could have arrived at the airport at 2 pm, but because of my excitement I got there at 11 am. Things like this happen and we have our own whims. I needed to pass the time and the temptation to eat kicked in. So, I decided to roam around this airport terminal with its interior comparable to Hong Kong International Airport and Suvarnabhumi International Airport. It's so modern, clean, spacious, inviting, invigorating and comfortable. If a need for me to be here at 3 am like for example I would be catching an earlier flight, then I wouldn't care sleeping at this airport as I had noticed a lot of outbound passengers slumbering in different sides, corners and benches. Hope www.sleepinginairports.net looks into it.
Anyways, I took an escalator to the mezzanine and "WOW!". A sign that reads Food Court hangs conspicuously. I was taken aback. I didn't expect the eloquent airport terminal has food court. What's behind my mind then was expensiveness of everything sold here. I'd just tried my luck. My plan was to buy a sandwich which I thought would cost me Php 150.00 and then maybe a bottled water could go for 60 pesos. As it is, I found myself enjoying the gastronomically delightful meal of Beef Caldereta served with freshly cooked rice in styro box that came with a glass of ice tea that only costed me 90 pesos. Now that's travelling in budget. A full meal - rice, pinoy favorite dish and a drink for the price of US$ 2 dollars at an international airport. Amazing!
So, what is the name of this airport? Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the most modern and expensive airport in the country. As of late, it's one of the airport scenes in the upcoming sequel of Bourne film entitled Bourne Legacy which stars Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton. Their production team shot the NAIA-3 scenes this January. Now, people from around the world get to see our premier airport terminal 3. That's something to watch for.
Back to our topic. Traveling now via Terminal 3 of NAIA is stress-free. You can head out of your home with empty stomach and then have your meal in the Food Court. There are scores of food stalls and restaurants from which you can buy your food without the worry of running out of money. And if that news is not enough, listen to this: Jollibee has its own outlet right inside food court of NAIA-3. "Now you're talking!", you might quip. Well, that's not all. Do you know those people on the go in Makati and Ortigas rushing to any Ministop any time of the day just to grab a full meal that cost only 59 pesos? Guest what? Ministop, the 24 hour convenience store owned by "Robinson's" has their own branch right at the center of the food court. I've been a regular customer of Ministop primarily because of their Pinoy favorite meals such as Tapsilog and Porksilog as well as rice toppings which include Beef Caldereta, Chicken Adobo, Bicol Express, Sisig, Liempo, Dinuguan, Menudo and even native energy food called Balut. During the days I was working on the my blog entry entitled Commute Guide To Buildings & Attractions Inside BGC From MRT Ayala Station which required me to be at BGC for days, Ministop is the one who fed me. They are everywhere.
Now that I had discovered Ministop in NAIA 3, I will never be stress-out whenever my flight departs from this terminal. I just grab my backpack and take a cab to the terminal hours before my flight, have my heavy meal at the Food Court, relax in any lounges before heading to boarding lounges nearest to designated gate, open my smartphone or notebook and browse blogs of my favorite bloggers like EDMARATION etc, Just Sharing - WEBNATIN, Lakad Pilipinas, Promdi/City Girl Diaries, Batang Lakwatsero, ruthilicious, MICAMYX, The Backpack Man, Pinoy Adventurista, Lakbay Philippines and Arnel Pineda | Official Site. Thanks to the airport's free wifi.
On Feb 26, my flight to Cebu City will depart at 4 am. Right from NAIA Terminal 3. Now, I get to eat my favorite meal from Ministop inside my favorite airport terminal. Hope they don't jack up the price just because they are inside a world class airport. I'll let you know. "Because it just feels good to eat in an airport!" :)
Read more...
It's a fact of life that airport is the most expensive place to buy food. And you might say "Hey, why do you need to buy meal in the airport when you're a shoestring traveler?" Well, actually, I could live with that and even before, I didn't give so much attention. Until I discovered this international airport with world class stature but so sensitive to Pinoys economic status that they literally put up a Food Court inside their terminal.
When I flew to Laoag City this past January, I came to this airport way too early. Boarding time was 4 pm, so as per airline policy I could have arrived at the airport at 2 pm, but because of my excitement I got there at 11 am. Things like this happen and we have our own whims. I needed to pass the time and the temptation to eat kicked in. So, I decided to roam around this airport terminal with its interior comparable to Hong Kong International Airport and Suvarnabhumi International Airport. It's so modern, clean, spacious, inviting, invigorating and comfortable. If a need for me to be here at 3 am like for example I would be catching an earlier flight, then I wouldn't care sleeping at this airport as I had noticed a lot of outbound passengers slumbering in different sides, corners and benches. Hope www.sleepinginairports.net looks into it.
Anyways, I took an escalator to the mezzanine and "WOW!". A sign that reads Food Court hangs conspicuously. I was taken aback. I didn't expect the eloquent airport terminal has food court. What's behind my mind then was expensiveness of everything sold here. I'd just tried my luck. My plan was to buy a sandwich which I thought would cost me Php 150.00 and then maybe a bottled water could go for 60 pesos. As it is, I found myself enjoying the gastronomically delightful meal of Beef Caldereta served with freshly cooked rice in styro box that came with a glass of ice tea that only costed me 90 pesos. Now that's travelling in budget. A full meal - rice, pinoy favorite dish and a drink for the price of US$ 2 dollars at an international airport. Amazing!
So, what is the name of this airport? Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the most modern and expensive airport in the country. As of late, it's one of the airport scenes in the upcoming sequel of Bourne film entitled Bourne Legacy which stars Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton. Their production team shot the NAIA-3 scenes this January. Now, people from around the world get to see our premier airport terminal 3. That's something to watch for.
 |
| A restaurant inside NAIA-3 Food Court |
Now that I had discovered Ministop in NAIA 3, I will never be stress-out whenever my flight departs from this terminal. I just grab my backpack and take a cab to the terminal hours before my flight, have my heavy meal at the Food Court, relax in any lounges before heading to boarding lounges nearest to designated gate, open my smartphone or notebook and browse blogs of my favorite bloggers like EDMARATION etc, Just Sharing - WEBNATIN, Lakad Pilipinas, Promdi/City Girl Diaries, Batang Lakwatsero, ruthilicious, MICAMYX, The Backpack Man, Pinoy Adventurista, Lakbay Philippines and Arnel Pineda | Official Site. Thanks to the airport's free wifi.
On Feb 26, my flight to Cebu City will depart at 4 am. Right from NAIA Terminal 3. Now, I get to eat my favorite meal from Ministop inside my favorite airport terminal. Hope they don't jack up the price just because they are inside a world class airport. I'll let you know. "Because it just feels good to eat in an airport!" :)
16 Jan 2012
Route Guide To Mt Samat Zip-line In Pilar Bataan
Updated Jan 26, 2012
For our readers' ease of dissecting the information, I do not edit the original published post which now falls below this update.
Mt Samat Zip-Line has opened to public on Jan 20, 2012. Right from the comments of no less than Eng'r Hazel de Guzman herself, which you can view at the bottom of this post, I quote:
"Hi, we opened for public last 20january 2012,Friday. The published rate for the zipline is P450.00 breakdown as follows:
P20.00 - environmental fee
30.00- shuttle from parking to launch pad (no vehicle is allowed to enter the ziproad except the official carrier
350.00- your zipride fee
50.00- shuttle from landing platform to parking area in Diwa.
Anyways,I want to stand corrected when I say 54m above sea level, I missed the right elevation which is 154 m above sea level is the elevation of launch pad. Where as the landing platform is 111 m above sea level. The straight distance is 520 m and the zipline is 540 m ride.
We are still improving the road though.
Thank you so much."
Blessing/Inauguration of the longest zip-line in Luzon has been held on January 7, 2012. The newest adventure attraction on the roster of zip-lines in the Philippines is located in the booming town of Pilar, Bataan with its launching platform situated at the rear side of Mt Samat in Brgy Diwa and the landing area in Brgy Liyang. The 540-meter zip which will be known as Mt Samat Zipline has the height of 43 meters above sea level and speed of 40 seconds from the launch pad to the landing area. The exhilarating ride with breathtaking views of the green mountains and rice paddies below to the Dunsulan Falls costs Php 350 per person.
Feeling about to pack your gear up now? Not so fast, you adventure freak!
The Mt Samat Zipline will not be operational until this February. I understand you got if from the news that one can now get to the site and take the plunge. Well, take it from me because I've been there just this January 10.
We took a Bataan bus bound for Mariveles and alighted in Pilar at an area popularly called Ali-uli which is a crossing of Bataan Provincial Highway and Gov J.J. Linao National Road in which to the east end the newly renovated 42-year old Municipal Hall and the Flaming Sword marker are located. We hired a motorized tricycle to the zip-line site which we didn't reach after having talk to some officers from the Firing Range located along the steeply, rocky and a little bit muddy uphill road that serves as the access to the newly inaugurated zip-line.
We are told that the zip is not yet operational. They said they're not sure if the scheduled operation in two weeks will push through. That's the time, I figured I should talk to the right person in the authority of the Pilar Zipline in the person of Eng'r Hazel N. de Guzman from Engineering Division of the Municipal Office. We actually went to the secretariat of the Municipal office and spoke to them about our purpose. And we're directed to the office of Eng'r de Guzman.
 |
| Motorized tricycle has no match in uphill road condition Even manong driver surrenders. |
Here are the latest and accurate information with regards to the status of the longest Zip-line in the whole island of Luzon. Right from my conversation with Eng'r Hazel N. de Guzman of Pilar Municipal Hall.
- Pilar Zip-line operation will start on February, 2012. There's no definite date yet.
- The entire uphill road from Mt Samat Rd to the site will be graveled entirely. As of this time, the part of the road covered with gravel is only up to the Firing Range as you can see in the photo below.
- Pilar Zip-line is a double-line zip and with a speed of 40 seconds from the launch pad to landing area.
- The length of the zip is 540 meters.
- There are no windbreakers.
- For convenience, shuttle will fetch riders from the foot of the mountain in Mt Samat Rd and take them to the launching pad.
- There will be also a free ride from the landing area that in turn will take riders to where they started off the climb at Mt Samat Road.
- The ride costs Php 350 plus an additional environmental fee of Php 20.
 |
| The road to the Zip-line from Mt Samat Rd |
I would like to thank Eng'r Hazel N. de Guzman and her staff for warm welcome and for imparting these information to us. Salamat po, Engineer.
20 Jul 2011
Welcome To Directions On Web
You've just discovered a blog full of information related to commuting and driving directions in Metro Manila and some parts of Luzon. Whether you are a resident of Metro Manila or a newly arrived individual from the province, a foreign tourist or a balikbayan, a travelling salesman or a student, this blog site is one of a must haves ready anytime at your disposal. This is your ultimate tool to learn how to get to your destination in our National Capital Region. Posted here are detailed routes and directions to both major destinations and regular places such as streets and buildings in Makati Central Business District and Ortigas Center and other parts of the metropolis. Please visit our About page here.
As you can see, this blog is regularly updated. So, it would be to your great advantage to be always informed of new places that have just been given routes and directions. In the line of my duty as direction blogger, I am offering you FREE alerts every time a new direction guide to a particular place is added. Remember, it's not only directions and routes this blog is all about. There are also posts on alternative routes among other relevant things that you should know always. One example is our series on Quezon Avenue and Araneta Avenue Underpass Construction Project Alternate Routes. You can start the series here. Another series of utmost importance is about PNR Bicol Express Train, with an interesting sequel you can read here. Another article worth reading is the post about NAIA Shuttle that gives passengers the most convenient and fastest way to get to NAIA Terminals 1,2 and 3, you can read it here later. There's a whole lot of information on moving around places that you shouldn't miss out.
So, if you want to receive our FREE alerts, click one or all of the following:
Enjoy!
Read more...
As you can see, this blog is regularly updated. So, it would be to your great advantage to be always informed of new places that have just been given routes and directions. In the line of my duty as direction blogger, I am offering you FREE alerts every time a new direction guide to a particular place is added. Remember, it's not only directions and routes this blog is all about. There are also posts on alternative routes among other relevant things that you should know always. One example is our series on Quezon Avenue and Araneta Avenue Underpass Construction Project Alternate Routes. You can start the series here. Another series of utmost importance is about PNR Bicol Express Train, with an interesting sequel you can read here. Another article worth reading is the post about NAIA Shuttle that gives passengers the most convenient and fastest way to get to NAIA Terminals 1,2 and 3, you can read it here later. There's a whole lot of information on moving around places that you shouldn't miss out.
So, if you want to receive our FREE alerts, click one or all of the following:
- Subscribe to Directions on Web by Email
Reminder: You need to verify your email address by clicking the link sent to your email address by Feedburner to activate your email subscription, otherwise, you will not receive my FREE alerts.
- Follow Directions on Web in Twitter.
- Make DirectionsOnWeb your home page in Google Chrome
- Make DirectionsOnweb your home page in Firefox
- Make DirectionsOnWeb your home page in Internet Explorer
- Follow Directions on Web in Facebook
- In your chrome browser window, click the wrench icon (lyabe) located in the upper right hand corner of your browser window.
- A drop-down menu will appear. Select and click Options.
- Another window will open just like the one in the photo below. In the middle of the window is the Home Page section. Select Open this page, delete the URL currently written on the box next to Open this page if there is any.
- Enter or type http://directionsonweb.blogspot.com inside the box beside Open this page. Important tip: To avoid wrong spelling, you may copy Directions On Web URL and paste it there.
- Close the window. It's automatically saved. Open another browser window. It should open DirectionsOnWeb.
- Click the word "Firefox" located in the upper left hand corner of your browser. See photo.
- A drop-down menu will appear. Click Option.
- In the dialog box that will open, select Show my homepage beside the choice label When Firefox starts. And then beside the words Home Page, delete the current URL and write http://directionsonweb.blogspot.com
Important reminder: Please make sure of the spelling to avoid error. To make sure, just copy Directions On Web URL and paste it there.
- Click "Ok"
- Open http://directionsonweb.blogspot.com in your browser window.
- Click the arrow down beside your Home button.
- A dialog box will open. Click Add or Change Home Page.
- In the next dialog box, choose Use this webpage as your only home page.
- Click "Yes" button.
Enjoy!
7 Jul 2011
How To Get To Places In Naga City
You've finally arrived in Naga City. You're in your suite in your chosen hotel in the city center which is popularly known among Nagauenos as Centro. And now, it's time to get around the city. What would you do? How do you get to SM City Naga? or Penafrancia Basilica? or Naga City Coliseum?
Commuting in Naga City is a bit different to Manila, where you are used to taking jeepney to get to any places. Public jeepney is the main mode of transportation in Manila. In fact, you can let a bus pass, but a jeepney is a must.
In Naga City, the king of the road is the motorized tricycle that we only use in Manila in areas not served by jeepneys.
Commuting to key locations is so easy in Naga City. Tricycles ply on all major roads. In this photo is Elias Angeles Street, one of the main roads in Centro, Naga. It is the Taft Avenue or Quezon Avenue of Naga. The only difference is 90 percent of public transportation vehicles that pass through it are motorized tricycles.
This other photo is taken in General Luna Street, another main road in the city center. Naga City People's Mall, the big yet clean public market is situated along General Luna Street, making it one of the main arteries of Naga City's infrastructure network. Still, as you can see, it is the bulwark of the motorized tricycles.
If you're going to any location in Naga City, you just instruct the driver to take you there. You can get to SM City Naga, Naga Coliseum, Naga Cathedral or even the farthest Penafrancia Basilica by flagging a motorized tricycle. Fare rate is only Php 8.00. Because tricycle is the main mode of transportation here, it functions like a public jeepneys. So, expect that it picks up more passengers along the route.
So, how does it work?
As simple as one two three.
One. Flag down a motorized tricycle.
Two. Ride and say your destination, e.g. Basilica, SM, CBT, Naga Cathedral, Crown Hotel, Caceres Street, etc.
Three. Get off the tricycle and pay 8.00.
Note: Drivers charge more if your destination is way too far. When I went to PNR from Naga Land Hotel to buy fare ticket, I was only charged 8 pesos. I just gave the driver 10 pesos and never got the change.
Read more...
Commuting in Naga City is a bit different to Manila, where you are used to taking jeepney to get to any places. Public jeepney is the main mode of transportation in Manila. In fact, you can let a bus pass, but a jeepney is a must.
In Naga City, the king of the road is the motorized tricycle that we only use in Manila in areas not served by jeepneys.
If you're going to any location in Naga City, you just instruct the driver to take you there. You can get to SM City Naga, Naga Coliseum, Naga Cathedral or even the farthest Penafrancia Basilica by flagging a motorized tricycle. Fare rate is only Php 8.00. Because tricycle is the main mode of transportation here, it functions like a public jeepneys. So, expect that it picks up more passengers along the route.
So, how does it work?
As simple as one two three.
One. Flag down a motorized tricycle.
Two. Ride and say your destination, e.g. Basilica, SM, CBT, Naga Cathedral, Crown Hotel, Caceres Street, etc.
Three. Get off the tricycle and pay 8.00.
Note: Drivers charge more if your destination is way too far. When I went to PNR from Naga Land Hotel to buy fare ticket, I was only charged 8 pesos. I just gave the driver 10 pesos and never got the change.
3 Jun 2011
Espana Boulevard Circa 2011
For years, Espana Boulevard has been an image of a city of denial. Denial that this main thoroughfare in the old district of Sampaloc is unsafe, deteriorating, hard to drive at night, no street lights and the bulwark of different kinds of bad elements. I remember early last year. I was driving past 10 pm on the way home. Espana Boulevard was not lighted that time, a man suddenly appeared in front of me running while crossing the road. I was shocked and the sudden step on the break almost smash my face on the wheel.
There were times, we're afraid of riding jeepneys that pass by along Espana, because 'robbery hold up' usually took place in the area near PNR railroad crossing. Robbers ran towards the slum area after robbing passengers at gunpoint. That was the main reason I developed a habit of riding a jeep at night in front of the passenger vehicle.
That was then. Espana of today is the exact opposite of the Espana of yesteryears. I was surprised to see the whole stretch of one of the oldest roads in the metropolis. It's been a while before I took this route again after getting used to taking the route of Ayala Boulevard-Magsaysay-Araneta Avenue and sometimes Recto-Legarda-Magsaysay-Araneta. I hate traffic.
But last Wednesday, I decided to give it a try. At around 9:45 pm I passed through Quezon Underpass and turned right onto Lerma until I got to the west end of Espana. As soon as I approached Lerma and Espana junction, I got to see a change that I thought very peculiar for a district like Sampaloc. As we know, areas from Sampaloc to Mabuhay Rotunda were very outdated and no amount of attention from authorities seemed to modernize it. But what I saw while on red signal is a sign of a very auspicious undertaking for the local government of Manila and a beautiful sight to behold for motorists and commuters. Lights. Very shining lights in the center island and in both sides of the old boulevard. But the lights are not your ordinary lights of any city streets. These ones are much like of those in the parkways. The railing of the center island is very noticeable, too.
The traffic lights turned green and I drove on, turning left on my subject street - Espana. And... WOW! I was ecstatic. Truly, a magnificent work of architectural engineering and landscaping. Espana Boulevard transformed! Now this is what a boulevard should look like.
What struck me the most?
First off, the road widened and elevated. Unlike before, the whole stretch of this street was so narrow and somewhat immersed in the ground. I still remember the steps along the both sides of the road from Lerma to UST and even beyond Lacson Avenue. If you gotten off an automobile for example in front of UST, you needed to climb the steps to get to the sidewalk. Today, it's like a parkway where you can get in a vehicle from the sidewalk in a very convenient way.
Second, the entire center island has been changed beautifully to blend with the aesthetically designed lamp posts. The old barriers has been changed with ergo designed railings. I think, too much attention has been given to materials, style and costs of the entire center island rehabilitation.
Third, ultimately, the parts of the boulevard that compliment the lightings in the center island are the opposite sides of the boulevard which are now dotted with promenade lightings. Brighter than its counterparts in the middle of the boulevard.
I could still imaginge, prior to this rehabilitation, both sides of Espana are dark and eerie at night. One word to describe it is 'ugly'. Now, it's totally different. You couldn't help but feel relaxed when driving in the middle of this highly evolved boulevard in the off peak hour of the night when there are less traffic. With those very bright aesthetically designed lights come passing to your both sides, your stress will be lessen, that's for sure. I just wish the Espana Boulevard that I see while driving go beyond Welcome Rotunda and stretch up to Quezon Avenue and Timog. But the beautiful night sight on the road only lasts up to Welcome Rotunda. Needless to say, this is an amazing change.
Another major change that caught my attention is the lighted 'BABAAN AT SAKAYAN' stations located in strategic areas along the new Espana Boulevard. Each 'BABAAN AT SAKAYAN' or Loading and Unloading in English, is a complete package with the waiting shed full of lights to drive away robbers, holdapers and snatchers. An advertisement full of neon lights above the roof of each waiting shed is very eye-catching.
And the most amazing part of the image change of the whole Espana Boulevard that capped it all is the construction of plant boxes on both sides of the road. Now landscaped, Espana can now be considered boulevard in the real sense of the word. This is what I mean when we say living up to your name.
Sad to say, this post about Espana Boulevard transformation might soon become a diary of once famed street. In our metropolis, all improvements don't stand the test of times. Its inhabitants always play the lead role of the culprit in havocking the environment - both man-made and God-given. As what happened to the railings in the center islands in front of the Metropolitan Theater which by now are broken and with large parts missing, slowly part by part, piece by piece, the integral body of this boulevard will be eaten by those this project is built for.
It is saddening to know that some of the inhabitants of this city always think on how much money would earn for them a kilo of an iron or light fitting they forcibly stripped and detached from a roadway. After all, in a third world country stomach comes first before the surroundings. In this regard, I sincerely wish there were agencies of National Government with the only task of looking after these projects for the Filipino people. After all, these are people's money which constructed them. Anyway, I am sure the maintenance and longevity of this amazing project will be taken care of the present administration of the city of Manila. The question is... Who will do the job after the term of the current Mayor - horable Mayor Alfredo Lim? Well, look what happened to the railings of Quezon Boulevard in front of Metropolitan Theater.
I also wish local authorities who built this project can also provide some measures to safeguard long term existence of this very well thought and masterfully designed project. Even this early, we could see signs of things to come that await this project. Vandalisms are already visible in some waiting sheds like this one in this photo.
Whatever happens, this boulevard will go down in the history of city planning as one of the most if not the most improved roadways in Metro Manila of 2011.
Read more...
That was then. Espana of today is the exact opposite of the Espana of yesteryears. I was surprised to see the whole stretch of one of the oldest roads in the metropolis. It's been a while before I took this route again after getting used to taking the route of Ayala Boulevard-Magsaysay-Araneta Avenue and sometimes Recto-Legarda-Magsaysay-Araneta. I hate traffic.
The traffic lights turned green and I drove on, turning left on my subject street - Espana. And... WOW! I was ecstatic. Truly, a magnificent work of architectural engineering and landscaping. Espana Boulevard transformed! Now this is what a boulevard should look like.
What struck me the most?
Third, ultimately, the parts of the boulevard that compliment the lightings in the center island are the opposite sides of the boulevard which are now dotted with promenade lightings. Brighter than its counterparts in the middle of the boulevard.
Sad to say, this post about Espana Boulevard transformation might soon become a diary of once famed street. In our metropolis, all improvements don't stand the test of times. Its inhabitants always play the lead role of the culprit in havocking the environment - both man-made and God-given. As what happened to the railings in the center islands in front of the Metropolitan Theater which by now are broken and with large parts missing, slowly part by part, piece by piece, the integral body of this boulevard will be eaten by those this project is built for.
I also wish local authorities who built this project can also provide some measures to safeguard long term existence of this very well thought and masterfully designed project. Even this early, we could see signs of things to come that await this project. Vandalisms are already visible in some waiting sheds like this one in this photo.
Whatever happens, this boulevard will go down in the history of city planning as one of the most if not the most improved roadways in Metro Manila of 2011.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
