How To Commute To Cirque Du Soleil's VAREKAI

For those of you who would be watching Cirque Du Soleil's world class acrobatic show Varekai which is scheduled to take place from June 22 to July 25, 2011 at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, here's guide on how to commute to the venue from different parts of Metro Manila.

Nearest train station is LRT-1 UN Avenue Station. But still way too far to walk, approximately 1.2 kilometers. If you're riding an LRT-1 train from any station north of Metro Manila, e.g. Roosevelt, Balintawak, Monumento, 5th Avenue, R. Papa, etc., the best way is to get off the train at Carriedo Station.

If you're riding an LRT-2 train from any station east of Metro Manila, e.g. Santolan, Anonas, Araneta Center Cubao, Betty Go Belmonte, etc., get off the train at the last station which is Recto Station.

Next ride is a jeepney with "Pier" sign in front and "Retiro Sta Cruz Pier 15" signs on both sides of the vehicle. Where to ride? Avenida Avenue aka Rizal Avenue. From Recto Station of LRT-2, walk westward along Recto Avenue, or towards the direction of the train from which you alighted. Avenida is the road where LRT-1 passes through. Wait for a jeep with "Retiro Sta Cruz Pier 15" sign along south bound lane of Avenida, the lane in front of Chow King Restaurant.

From Carriedo Station of LRT-1, walk along Avenida northward or towards Monumento, past Bustos Street, a T-intersection to your left, until you get to Ronquillo Street, another T-intersection where public jeepneys bound for Baclaran, Mabini, Vito Cruz, Pedro Gil, Harrison Plaza, and Pier South pass through. Wait for a jeepney with "Retiro Sta Cruz Pier 15 (South)" sign.

Ride this jeepney, pay minimum and ask the driver to drop you off at Manila Hotel which is situated near Quirino Grandstand. It's important to alight from jeepney at Manila Hotel's location because if the driver drop you off at other areas in Luneta, you might walk way too far. Luneta Park is so big and this jeepney passes through the whole stretch of its length from Roxas Boulevard to Taft Avenue. So, don't just say Luneta, instead tell the driver Manila Hotel or Quirino Grandstand.

Walk acrosss Roxas Boulevard or Bonifacio Drive towards Manila Hotel. It's the tall building at the corner of Bonifacio Drive and Katigbak Drive. Walk along Katigbak Drive past Manila Hotel frontage until the road bend to the left and Quirino Grandstand come into view.

If you're riding an LRT-1 train from south, e.g. Baclaran, EDSA, Libertad, Vito Cruz, Quirino, etc., get off the train at Carriedo Station, go down at north exit, the stairs located near to the front of the train. Walk towards Ronquillo Street and ride right there.

How to get to Quirino Grandstand from different parts of Metro Manila by jeepney, train and bus?

Route #1

From Marikina, SSS Village, Metro East, Sta Lucia East, SM Marikina, Antipolo, Santolan Pasig, and other areas nearby.

Option 1. Ride a train at LRT-2 Santolan Station. Get off at Recto Station. Follow direction given above.

Option 2. Ride a jeepney or FX bound for Divisoria. Alight at Avenida corner Recto. Follow direction given above.

Route #2

From Cubao, Araneta Center, Project 4, Anonas, Ateneo, Katipunan and other areas nearby.

Ride a train at any nearest LRT-2 Station, e.g. Araneta Center Cubao, Anonas, and Katipunan. Follow direction given at Route #1.

If you prefer jeepney, ride one along Aurora Boulevard. Same as Route #1.

Route #3

From Novaliches, Quirino Avenue, San Bartolome and other areas nearby.

Ride a jeepney with "Blumentritt A. Bonifacio" sign. Alight at Balintawak and ride an LRT-1 train bound for Baclaran. Get off the train at Carriedo Station and follow the direction mentioned above.

Route #4

From SM North EDSA, Trinoma, West Avenue, Project 6 and other areas nearby.

Take a jeepney with "Pier South" sign. You only need one ride here. Just get off at Manila Hotel.

If you want fast travel, ride bus bound for Monumento along EDSA's north bound lane. Get off the bus at Munoz and ride an LRT-1 train bound for Baclaran. Get off at Carriedo. Follow direction given at the introduction.

Route #5

From Alabang, Muntinlupa, Festival Mall, Metropolis Starmall, Sucat and other areas near these locations.

Ride a jeepney with "Pasay Rotonda" sign. In Pasay Taft Rotonda, ride an LRT-1 train bound for Monumento/Roosevelt and get off at Carriedo Station.

Route #6

From Pampanga, Bulacan, Zambales, Subic and other locations in Northern Luzon.

Ride a bus, FX or van bound for Manila and get off at Cloverleaf Interchange in EDSA. Walk towards Balintawak Station of LRT-1, ride a train bound for Baclaran, alight at Carriedo Station and follow the direction mentioned at the introduction of this post.

Route #7

From Cavite, Tagaytay, Bacoor, Kawit, Dasmarinas, Imus, Bacoor and other areas near to these locations.

You can take a bus bound for Lawton and get off Manila City Hall. Use pedestrian underpass and go towards the south bound lane of Padre Burgos and ride a jeepney with "Baclaran Mabini" or "Vito Cruz Mabini" sign. Ask the driver to drop you off at Kalaw corner Del Pilar. Walk along Kalaw westward or towards Manila Bay. Cross Roxas Boulevard. Walk further until the road bend to the right and Quirino Grandstand shows up.

Route #8

From SM Mall Of Asia or MOA.

You can take a jeepney shuttle bound for "Buendia aka Gil Puyat Taft" at the North Wing Terminal. These shuttles are parked near the Toilet. Ride an LRT-1 train bound for Monumento or Roosevelt at Gil Puyat Station and get off at Carriedo Station. Follow direction given at the above.

Route #9

From Fort Bonifacio Global City, Market Market, Guadalupe, Rockwell Center, Taguig and other areas nearby.

Ride a jeepney bound for Guadalupe and ride an MRT-3 train bound for Taft. From Taft Station walk towards LRT-1 EDSA Station and ride a train bound for Monumento/Roosevelt. Get off the train at Carriedo Station. Follow the direction given above.

Route #10

From Pasig, SM Mega Mall, EDSA Shaw, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong and other areas nearby.

Ride a jeepney from Pasig bound for Quiapo. Get off the jeep at EDSA. Ride a train bound for Taft at Shaw Station. If you're from Megamall, ride a train at Ortigas Station. From Boni and Pioneer, ride a train bound for Taft at Boni Station. In Taft, ride an LRT-1 train bound for Monumento or Roosevelt and get off at Carriedo Station. Follow direction given above.


Location Map of Quirino Grandstand