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Sunday, April 22, 2007

TRAVELER'S TALE
Let the River Flow
Text & Photos by C. Pascual

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Mandaluyong Hulo station

I pass by the Mandaluyong portion of the Pasig River everyday when going to work and I would sleepily notice scores of people lined up to ride a ferry that would cross the river to Makati. Late last year, there has been some construction on my daily-commute-side of the river, slightly disrupting the easy-peasy flow of traffic on Mandaluyong's Hulo street. Some months after, they took down the corrugated steel around the perimeter of the construction area, and lo and behold, I saw that it was a really nice station of some sort. After asking around, I found out that it's the Hulo station of a Pasig River ferry line. The ferry line, called Pasig River Ferry Project, officially went into business on March 20, but it wasn't until about a month later that I got to go on,what I fondly call, my Pasig River cruise.

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A happy passenger entering the waiting area
photo has been modified to protect the identity of some people

A request from a colleague visiting from Cebu to take her around the city prompted me and a friend to plan an impromptu itinerary that would take our Cebuano counterparts around the old Manila area. That earnest request couldn't have come at a better time, and it seemed as if the opportunity to cruise the historic river was just waiting to jump on us. It naturally occurred to me and my co-itinerary maker that a ride on the Pasig River ferry was in order. We trooped on over to Hulo, and were immediately comforted from the sweltering summer heat by the airconditioned ferry station. We were warmly and cheerfully greeted by the station guards, as well as the operations personnel who seemed genuinely amused by the four giggly, chattery and excited girls (erm, us) buying tickets for Escolta. Presently, tickets cost Php 25.00 (about 50 cents) each, whether you're hopping off the next station or the last. You can ride the ferry via Guadalupe, Hulo or Escolta, however, more stations are being constructed and some are almost complete (PUP, Lambingan stations). Tickets aren't actual tickets, but more like receipts printed with the amount you paid and a barcode that you need to scan on the turnstile. The station itself is modern, with wheelchair-access elevator, walk-through metal detector and air conditioning (yes, a/c=modern. Ha.) The station is a bit small, able to seat about 10 passengers-awaiting. It actually reminds me of the airport in Aklan, with bay windows looking out on the murky river-water instead of the concrete runway.


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A neat and comfortable ferry station

We just missed the ferry leaving for Escolta, so we had to wait about 30 minutes to hop on the next one (oh yes, a trip schedule!). Boarding the ferry was a breeze, and once inside the massive white catamaran, we were greeted by the welcome blast of cold air from the a/c. I was like, whoa, this boat is fully airconditioned and fully enclosed. We took our places by the glass windows, comfortable on the individual blue fixed plastic chairs and instantly riveted to the scenery outside. I don't know why, but it seemed as if the everyday goings-on outside suddenly had this post-card feel to it. From where I sat, colors of the dusty street looked more alive, and the indifferent people whom we encountered on the way to the station waved happily to us, as the boat gently pulled away from the pier.

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Lambingan station opening soon

Inside the boat, there was an excited chitter as dads would point out to their kids certain places that they recognize; as pseudo tour guides (ahem) droned on about the history of places that we were seeing. As expected from a river that was once declared as dead, there was a lot of trash floating around and stashed against the river-banks. People, who live by the river in stilted shanties, observed us pass and children who were swimming in the dirty waters happily showed off their diving expertise while waving to us. Steel cylindrical buildings containing various oils (or so the signs say) line both sides of the banks in most parts, looking like gigantic river sentinels silently watching us make our way to Escolta. Ugly-beautiful boat wrecks are also parked in some areas, giving the river a melancholy feel. I was pondering on these sights and getting ready to get all sentimental when loud laughter took me out of my reverie. I looked around and saw that the boat operators changed the DVD from MI:2 to Porky and Choppy dishing out their signature jokes. Yes, the ferry has a wide, flat-screen tv that can get a tad too loud sometimes.

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View of the oil tanks from the ferry

The boat has a uniformed, armed guard inside, to observe and secure passengers /as the boat passes by Malacanang Palace. Part of his duty is to warn people not to take pictures of the country's seat of power, presumably as an anti-terrorist precaution. We saw the place where Erap was taken away after EDSA Dos, the lush gardens of the palace and more trash by the Malacanang pier. I was especially enamored by the teeny island after Malacanang, called Hospicio de San Jose or Isla de Convalencia, an orphanage on a spit of quiet land surrounded by the waters of the river, standing bravely amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Manila.


The Escolta station, where we disembarked, is right behind Binondo (Manila's Chinatown) although in a quieter part of the busy area. As we bought refreshments from the nearby Polland Hopia cafe, I quietly thought to myself that inspite of the poverty and negligence that we saw, it was still a lovely ride. I'm hopeful that one day, I'll see the river that nourished Manila flowing freely, vibrantly alive.

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Thursday, April 19, 2007

ANNOUNCEMENT
The Pasig River Ferry Service Project
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photo from www.adb.org

Quarter one of 2007 heralded the commencement of Pasig River Ferry service, boasting of a leisurely and hassle-free means of transport via airconditioned catamaran units that ply the length of Pasig River.

A joint project of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA)and Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), with funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Pasig River Ferry Service project aims to provide alternative means of transportation, and at the same time, "enhance the image and status of the Pasig River as an important artery in Metro Manila's growing inter-modal transport system," as stated in the project's terms of reference.

To date, there are only 3 operational stations located in Guadalupe, Hulo (Mandaluyong) and Escolta. More stations are currently being constructed for better accessibility. All in all, there will be 17 stations, stretching to Marikina, Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay.

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Thursday, February 19, 2004

PINOYTRAVEL FEATURE
Boracay Summer on a Shoestring
C. Pascual

Summer is just around the corner and all we could think about is going to the beach! Of course, the first thing that we Pinoys think of when it comes to beaches is glorious Boracay. Check out our listing below of properties that we've looked up that would not burn holes in your pockets. Note: We picked rates for airconditioned rooms.

Property Name: Boracay Hills
Vicinity: Central Boracay
Inclusions: Daily breakfast for two, welcome drinks, taxes.
Rates: Php 2,662.50/room/night
Contact Info: hills@boracay.i-next.net

Property Name: Boracay Peninsula
Vicinity: Station 2
Inclusions: 3d/2n room accommodation (twin sharing), roundtrip transfers from Caticlan, daily American or Filipino breakfast, welcome drinks.
Rates: Php 2,900/person, Php 1,000/pax extra night
Contact Info: Hazel Jover, 0919-2199502

Property Name: Boracay Plaza
Vicinity: Station 1
Inclusions: standard room (good for two), daily breakfast.
Rates: Php 2,800/room/night
Contact Info: bplaza@boracay.i-next.net

Property Name: Club Ten
Vicinity: Between Stations 1 and 2
Inclusions: 3d/2n room accommodations (twin sharing), daily breakfast, roundtrip airport transfers, welcome drinks.
Rates: Php 3,300/person, Php 1,400/pax extra night
Contact Info: via

Property Name: Fat Jimmy's
Vicinity: Station 2, near D'Mall.
Inclusions: daily breakfast for 2, landtransfers for 2, sea transfers for 2, welcome drinks.
Rates: Standard Room: Php 2,500/room/night; Superior Room: Php 3,000/room/night
Contact Info: Jimmy at 0917-8454534

Property Name: Jony's
Vicinity: Station 1
Inclusions: daily breakfast, welcome drinks
Rates: Php 4,000/room/night, Superior room (good for 2)
Contact Info: jonys@boracay.i-next.net

Property Name: La Luna Court
Vicinity: Station 2
Inclusions: daily breakfast, roundtrip transfers from Caticlan, welcome drinks
Rates: Php 2,000/room/night, Standard room (good for 3)
Contact Info: Normeth, 0919-2024763

Property Name: The Lion's Den
Vicinity: Between Stations 1 and 2
Inclusions: welcome drinks
Rates: Standard: 1,500/room/night; De Luxe: Php 1,800/room/night
Contact Info: 0919-6836794

Property Name: Nigi Nigi Nu Noos
Vicinity: Station 2
Inclusions: 3d/2n room accommodations (twin sharing), daily breakfast, roundtrip transfers from Caticlan, welcome drinks, daily mineral water, complimentary internet use.
Rates: Php 3,950/person, Php 1,400/pax extra night
Contact Info: niginigi@pworld.net.ph

Property Name: Red Coconut
Vicinity: Station 2
Inclusions: 3d/2n room accommodations (twin sharing), daily American breakfast, airport/resort/airport transfers, welcome drinks.
Rates: Php 3,748/person, Php 1,768/pax extra night
Contact Info:

Property Name: Sandcastles
Vicinity: Between Stations 1 and 2
Inclusions: 3d/2n room accommodations (twin sharing), roundtrip airport transfers, welcome drinks.
Rates: Villa: 2,630/pax, Php 990/pax extra night; Standard Bungalow: Php 3,355/person, Php 1,355/pax extra night
Contact Info: rsvn@tribaladventures.com

Property Name: Tirol and Tirol
Vicinity: Station 2
Inclusions: daily Continental breakfast for 2, free playing privilege on the tennis courts.
Rates: Beachfront Family Room: Php 2,800/room/night; Nonbeachfront: Php 2,300/room/night
Contact Info: Eduardo Tirol at tirolnt@webinc.com

Property Name: Villa Paula
Vicinity: Station 1
Inclusions: daily breakfast, roundtrip transfers from Caticlan for 2
Rates: Standard: Php 2,500/room/night; Superior Room: Php 3,000/room/night
Contact Info: 0916-72027985

~Prices may change without prior notice. Rates not applicable for super peak season such as Holy Week, etc. Availabilities aren't guaranteed.

Monday, February 16, 2004


TRAVEL REVIEW
Puerto Galera, Going Ninja
C. Pascual

First and foremost, check the weather to see if it would be sunny on the day of your travel, as you wouldn't want to risk heading out to Mindoro's shark-infested seas on a bad-weather day. Go to the Tritran or Jac Transit bus station in Kamuning, near GMA and catch the earliest bus going to Batangas City-Pier. Fare going to Batangas is around P120 each, airconditioned and "video on board". I'm not really sure what time the first trip going to Batangas starts, but ideally, one leaves every 30 minutes (and I stress IDEALLY, 'cause some buses wait for a certain number of passengers before hitting the road, which could take more than thirty minutes). You have to be in the Pier terminal before 3 pm, as the last ferry going to Galera leaves at that time, sometimes not even, so it's safe to catch the 12:45-1:00 pm ferry. There are a couple of ferry companies that service the Puerto Galera route, bringing you to the various islands of Galera. We bought ferry tickets with Sabang Princess ferry for P110 each, and I'm telling you that the Sabang Princess ferry is not for the weak of heart (and tummy). It's a smaller ferry than those of the bigger companies like Blue Diamond or Blue Phoenix (tickets at P 140 each) whose ships are quite similar to the SuperCat units, but Sabang Princess brings you straight to Sabang Island and the others drop you off at the main port where you'd need to go through 2 jeepney rides or charter a banca to get to your island of choice. Speaking of islands there are a couple of "activity" islands that you could choose to stay in. If scuba diving or snorkelling is your thing, Sabang, Big Lalaguna and Small Lalaguna are the islands to go to, but if you're looking for some major R&R, the perfect "swimming" island would be White beach.

We stayed in Sabang, where accomodations range from P600-1,000+ per room, per night. The place we stayed in, called At-Can Inn, is a concrete studio-type room, big enough to accomodate 6 people comfortably. The airconditioned room comes with a small living room, kitchenette (complete with utensils, kalan and fridge), 1 queen bed with extra mattress, ceiling fan, bathtub and hot water. Not bad for a place that costs P800/night. At-Can has beachfront units too, but I think those units cost a bit more than the one we had, which is inside the compound, around a minute's walk to the beach. Sabang beach is not recommended to swim in, as boats and jet skis are parked by the shore, waiting to be boarded by dive enthusiasts. However, you could charter a boat going to White Beach, or, let the manong bangkero bring you to great snorkelling spots, like what we did.

We rode Manong Vergel's Mary Jane to Bulabog Beach, that has a small fresh-water stream by the shore where one can rinse off after a dip in the sea. SIDE STORY: While we were checking out the stream, we saw a lady washing clothes on one of the boulders sitting by it. I was reminded of those old Rosanna Roces (or every other "titillating") movies where she plays a probinsyana lass being peeped upon by a hayok manyakis. True to form, when she finished her laundry, she gathered her batya and palo-palo, and got on her paddleboat. I was half expecting the manyakis to pop out of the woodwork and ravage the paddleboat lady but of course, nothing of the sort happened. Movies imitate life only up to a certain point (and vice versa).

Anyway, after an hour or so of practice snorkelling, Manong Vergel called us back to the boat and brought us to Lima Beach. Lima is just a short, narrow rocky sandbar tucked in a corner of the island. The beach was a bit too rocky for me and the water is above your head after just a couple of steps, but put on your mask and snorkel and you'd be greeted by wonderful patches of gigantic corals teeming with marine life. I could go on and on about the beautiful underwater scene that would rival the best aquarium channel, but I'd rather you see it for yourself. Banca rental costs P1,000 roundtrip and P500 one way but after some haggling, we got the roundtrip banca ride for P800.

Restaurant meals on the island cost almost as much as the ones here in Manila, and mostly mediocre food at that. What I would recommend though, and not mind paying P50-70 per serving, is the banana shake. I sampled the banana shakes of at least 3 restaurants and every glassful is yumyumyummy. Since most of the resort owners are European or Australian scuba dudes with Filipina wives, menus range from Fish 'n Chips and Steak and Kidney Pies to Tapsilog and Inihaw. Be prepared to shell out P300-500 for a meal for two. We didn't get to explore the island much and I'm pretty sure that there's a cheap place to eat there somewhere, so if you discover one, please let me know. Most of the accomodations do have kitchenettes in them, so if you're looking for a cheap meal, you can buy the ingredients from one of the numerous sari-sari stores cum groceries in Sabang or peddlers for fresh seafood and cook it yourself. A bit laborious but it's easier on the budget.

The return trip is just as effortless and ferry schedules going back to Batangas are the same, with the last ferry leaving at 1:00 from either Sabang or main Puerto Galera port. Be sure to check the boat schedule beforehand, since some trips leaving Sabang get cancelled if the weather gets too wild and if that happens, you'd be told to proceed to the main port to catch the bigger ferries. When you get to the Batangas Pier, you'll find buses going to Cubao or LRT which you can board without prior reservations.

Going ninja during lean season in Puerto Galera is a heckuva lot cheaper than purchasing packaged trips being offered by travel agencies, and all you need to have is some money and a lot of good travel sense.

~all prices are subject to change without prior notice

Monday, February 09, 2004

PINOYTRAVEL TIP #2
Peak season for travel in the Philippines is mid-March to late May. Super peak season is Holy Week (this year it's April 5-11). Budget travelers, stay at home during these dates, as accommodation rates are surely astronomical.

Sunday, February 08, 2004

PINOYTRAVEL REMINDER!
Feb. 8, 2004 is the last day of the PTAA Travel Expo 2004 in Megamall. Go there and take advantage of amazing travel promos!

Monday, February 02, 2004

PINOYTRAVEL TIP #1
Be sure to check out PTAA's annual Travel Expo this weekend at the Megatrade Halls. You might just get greatly discounted flight tickets and fabulous travel deals.