Showing posts with label Manila. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manila. Show all posts
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Places of Interest in Manila
RIZAL PARK
A swathe of green cuts through the traffic of Taft Avenue all the way to Roxas Boulevard by Manila Bay, and forms an oval, more commonly known as Luneta (from lunette, small moon). Mornings find joggers and talchi exercisers catching a bit of fresh air under the trees. In the afternoons, spectators sit by the breakwater to await the best sunset in the world. Evenings are for lovers. On weekends, families picnic on the grass by the fountains, flock to the amphitheatc entertainment, stroll Japanese and Ch gardens, and frolic a: the skating ring and children's playground park is dedicated t national hero, Jot Rizal, and his s stands watch over M Bay. On the same where Rizal was exe by firing squad in If light and sound table; enacts the event witl sized statues and a rec narrative, accompani light and sound effects.
INTRAMUROS
Within the 16th century walls of Intramuros, the old Spanish enclave of Manila, horse-drawn carruajes (carriages) take visitors through streets lined with Spanish colonial style houses, past old church plazas, gardens and walkways between restored puertas (gates) and baluartes (battlements). Fort Santiago, once the headquarters of the spanish forces and prison to Filipinos charged with sedition and rebellion, is now a peaceful green quadrangle with a shrine to the national here. The Manila Cathedral has been rebuilt six times since the first structure rose on that same spot in 1581. The present church retains its magnificence with the original stone carvings, rosette windows and stained glass mosaics decorating its nave and several smaller chapels. San Agustin Church, the oldest structure in the country, inspires awe with its trompe I'oeil murals, ornately carved choir loft, Baroque interiors and collection of valuable ecclesiastical art pieces. The Casa Manila, a fully-furnished turn of the century model house, depicts how a Spanish nobleman might have lived. The maze of antique and ethnic craft shops and galleries at the Plaza San Luis Complex carry items worthy of any collector's attention.
FORT SANTIAGO
The most important defence location of the Intramuros fortress city was Fort-Santiago. From this strategic location, at the mouth of the Pasig River, all activity in Manila Bay could be observed. During the Japanese occupation in World War II, innumerable Filipino prisoners lost their lives in the infamous dungeon cells which lay below sea level. At high tide there was no escape. Dr Jose Rizal also spent his last days in a narrow cell at this fort before his execution by the Spaniards in 1896.
Today Fort Santiago is a memorial. There is an open-air theatre, the Rizal Shrine and a display of old cars which used to belong to important Filipino personalities.
In early 1988, Fort Santiago was turned inside out, with government permission, by US gold-seekers who, by excavating, hoped to uncover the legendary war treasure of the Japanese genera,! Yamashita, which was rumoured to have been hidden in the Philippines. All excavations were in vain, of course. The fort is open daily between 8 am and 10 pm
SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH
The first constructions of the San Agustin Church were destroyed by fires in 1574 and 1583. In 1599 the foundation stone for the present construction was laid. The massive church was not damaged by the earthquakes of 1645, 1754, 1852,1863,1880, 1968 and 1970, nor by the bombardment in the fighting around Manila in February 1945. San Agustin is the oldest existing stone church in the Philippines. From JL879 to 1880, the crystal chandeliers came from Paris, the walls and roofs were masterfully painted by two Italian artists, and the choir stalls were carved_by the Agustinian monks themselves. In a small chapel to the left of the high altar lie the mortal remains of Legaspi. There is a museum and a contemplative inner courtyard adjoining the church.
MANILA CATHEDRAL
This cathedral, with its great cupola, is the Philippines' most significant Catholic church. It is located in the Plaza Roma at Intramuros. With the help of the Vatican, the building, which was destroyed in World War II, was rebuilt from 1954 to 1958; some old walls were restored and integrated into the new construction. The large organ with its 4500 pipes came from Netherlands and is the largest in Asia. Some old walls were restored and integrated into the new construction. The large organ with its 4500 pipes came from Netherlands and is the largest in Asia.
NAYONG PILIPPINO
For an overview of what this 7,107 island archipelago has to offer without travelling outside of Metro Manila, nothing beats this 32-acre 'nayong' (village) located just 10 minutes away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Here explore Bohol's Chocolate Hills, Cebu's historic Magellans Cross, Bicol's Mayon Volcano, Banaue's Rice Terraces, as well as the many villages, which really are a cluster of houses architecturally representative of each culturally distinctive region in the country. Museums showcase ethnological finds and local handicrafts.
Refreshment kiosks are scattered throughout the park. Around the lagoon, weekenders cast their fishing lines to try their luck with the tilapia (local trout) and couples row their boats into the sunset.
CHINATOWN
Manila's enclave of traditional Chinese shophouses and narrow streets bustles with commercial activity on and around Ongpin Street in Santa Cruz district. Jewellery stores a-glitter with yellow and gold watches; groceries brimming with fruit preserves and exotic delicacies; apothecaries with their multipaneled cabinets filled with pungent
herbs; Chinese delicatessens and restaurants with pork leg, Peking duck and oiled chicken hanging in the windows; curio shops redolent with incense; Buddhist temples and roadside shrines with their tilted red-tile roofs; and always that strain of Chinese music floating in the air, all combine to lend an air of oriental mystique to this thriving, clannish community.
QUIAPO
This small district of craftsmen, buyers and sellers swells and swelters with the crush of humanity who carry on their trade on the perimetres of the pilgrimage shrine of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo Church. Sidewalk her-balists vie with amulet and charm purveyors to cure every ailment from the common cold to arthritis to diabetes. Fruits, vegetables and flowers, clothes and houseware erupt in a riot of colour. Under the Quezon Bridge (Ilalim ng Tulay), hawkers call your attention to the many capiz shell lamps, rattan bags, and other inexpensive handicrafts hanging from the ceilings of makeshift stalls.
Fast Food Restaurants in Manila
There are lots of reasonably priced small food stalls, J Bocobo St that sell Filipino snacks and meals. They are open daily from
Rosie's Diner, MHdel Pilar St Ermita, is comfortable and always fairly full, in the style of a
Shakey's Mabini, Mabini St, Ermita, sells pizzas with thick or thin dough, but their spaghetti is a bit dear. There is loud live music in the evenings. It is open daily from
The Pizza Hut,
If you're really hanging out for a hamburger, McDonald's,
Jollibee, Padre Faure, Ermita, is one of a Filipino burger chain with lots of outlets. Its specialities are chickenjoy and champ with cheese; a full breakfast may also be offered. It is open Monday to Saturday from
Kentucky Fried Chicken,
Mister Donut, Mabini St, Ermita, has a good choice of excellent doughnuts and good coffee— not a bad breakfast alternative. It is open all hours every day and costs about P 25.
Western Restaurants in Manila
At the Cafe Adriatico, on the corner of
Mario's,
Max's,
The Rooftop Restaurant, on the corner of Padre Faura and M H del Pilar St, Ermita, is an Australian restaurant and beer garden on top of the Iseya Hotel and is open daily all hours; on Sunday there's an Aussie barbecue for P 100. Here you can also enjoy a good view of the
The Southern Cross,
Lili Marleen, M H del Pilar St, Ermita, has homely German dishes at reasonable prices. Menus vary daily. It is open from
Edelweiss, M H del Pilar St, Ermita, cooks German, Austrian and Swiss food and specialises in fondue. It is open from
The
Jodi's Place, Mabini St, Ermita, has German food. It is open from
Patio
Pilar St. It is open Monday to Saturday from
El Comedor, on the corner of
The Muralla, the San Luis Complex,
Vietnamese Restaurant in Manila
The
The Ville de Saigon,
Thai Restaurants in Manila
The Sukhothai in
Another good restaurant is Taste of Thailand in the
which is open daily from
The Thai Room in the
Korean Restaurants in Manila
The
The
Japanese Restaurants in Manila
The Iseya Restaurant Padre Faura, Ermita, serves a business lunch that, at P 50, is very good value. It is open daily from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 to 11 pm and its usual meals are about P 75.
The Yamato, Adriatico St, Ermita, is good for sushi and tempura. It is open daily from
The Tempura-Misono, the Hyatt Regency Hotel,
Indonesian Restaurants in Manila
The Cafe Lerop in
Indian Restaurants in Manila
Al-Sham's in
A good Indian restaurant is the
Chinese Restaurants
Mrs Wong on the corner of Padre Faura and M H del Pilar St is well patronised. It is open daily from
The Hong Kong Restaurant,
The
The
The
Eva's
Mandarin
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Filipino Food
Ermita's M H del Pilar St. and Makati are a good place to explore for Filipino food.
Mother Sachi in Gil Puyat Ave Makati is self-service, with good, reasonably priced vegetarian dishes. Its specialities are Shepherd's pie, Bhagavad fruit pie and soya fish. It is open Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm.
Cosmic Plate in the Amorsolo St, Makati, is another good vegetarian restaurant with different dishes each day. A health-food shop is attached. It is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm.
Aida's in M H del Pilar St, Ermita, is a reasonably priced 'turo-turo' restaurant, partly open-air, which sometimes has good munggo (bean) soup. It is open daily around the clock.Myrna's, in M H del Pilar St, Ermita, is a typical, simple Filipino restaurant. It serves good bangus (milkfish) and is crowded at meal times. It is open Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 11.30 pm.
The Coffee Tree, on the corner ofMabini and R Solas streets, has good Filipino food and a cheap American breakfast. It is open Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 10.30 pm.
Mabini House in Mabini St, Ermita, serves Filipino and Chinese food, with good rice and noodle dishes. It is open daily from 7 am to 10 pm.
Calle 5 in Mabini St, Ermita, is a big open-air restaurant which has good squid. There is live music in the evenings. It is open daily from 8 am to 3 am.
The Harbour View in South Blvd., of Rizal Park, right where the harbour trip starts, is a pleasant place by the waterfront to watch the sunset and catch a fresh breez« while having a beer and enjoying good Filipino food like sinigang (vegetable soup) or bangus. It's open Monday to Saturday from 10 to 2 am and Sunday from 10 am to midnight.
The Seaside Market in Roxas Blvd., Baclaran (near Baclaran Church), is a real market where you can buy freshly caught fish and have it prepared cheaply at the little adjoining restaurants. It is open all hours.
At Leo's, on the corner of Roxas Blvd. and Dapitan St, you can eat a la carte or choose your fish and have it prepared as you wish. It is open daily all hours.
The Seafood Market in J Bocobo St, Ermita, is relatively costly, but is a good seafood restaurant. It's almost like a real market: guests do their own selecting and then take their filled baskets to the cooks to be prepared as they wish. It is especially busy at night but the waiting time is usually short. You can round off the menu with coffee and cakes at the Cafe Alps next door. There is another Seafood Market in Makati Ave, Makati. It is open daily from 10 am to midnight.
Rol's Ihaio Ihaiv in M H del Pilar St, Ermita, is an open-air seafood restaurant with a popular beer garden right alongside. It is open daily from 8 am to 1 am.
Barrio Fiesta in J Bocobo St, Ermita, is a good, medium-priced restaurant with branches all over the country. It has an extensive menu with specialities like crispy pata and kare-kare (stew). It is open daily from 8 am to 1 am.
There is another Barrio Fiesta in Makati Ave, Makati.
The Bulwagang Pili-pino on the corner of Arkansas St and Maria Orosa St, Ermita, is another good Filipino restaurant, open daily from 9 am to 11 pm.
Palais daan in Adriatico St, Malate, you can get good Filipino dishes and seafood. It is open daily from 10 am to 1 am.
The Aristocrat, on the corner ofRoxas Blvd and San Andres St, Malate, is a big,medium-priced restaurant. It is very popular with local people and the most popular of the six Aristocrat restaurants in Metro Manila. It is open 24 hours a day all week.
Josephine's in Roxas Blvd, Pasay City is a well-known and popular seafood restaurant with a lot of choice and live combo music in the evenings. It is open daily from 9 am to midnight.
Nandau on the corner ofRoxas Blvd and Lourdes St, Pasay City is an excellent seafood restaurant which specialises in food from the province of Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao-blue marlin, for example. It is open daily from 11 am to 11 pm.
The Patio Mequeni in Remedies St, Malate, is a pleasant, simply furnished restaurant that specialises in dishes from Pampanga Province. It is open Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm and from 6 pm to midnight.
At the Kamayan Restaurant in Padre Faura, Ermita, you can eat with your fingers in true Filipino style. There is a wide range of dishes from all over the Philippines. It is open daily from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 to 10 pm.
Aling Asiang in the Greenbelt Square, Makati, is a well-run speciality restaurant with authentic dishes from various provinces. It is open from 11 am to 11 pm daily.
Ang Bistro sa Remedies, on the corner of Adriatico and Remedios streets, Malate, is an elegant restaurant serving special dishes from Pampanga Province. It is open from 11 am to 2 pm and from 6 pm to midnight daily.
Mother Sachi in Gil Puyat Ave Makati is self-service, with good, reasonably priced vegetarian dishes. Its specialities are Shepherd's pie, Bhagavad fruit pie and soya fish. It is open Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm.
Cosmic Plate in the Amorsolo St, Makati, is another good vegetarian restaurant with different dishes each day. A health-food shop is attached. It is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm.
Aida's in M H del Pilar St, Ermita, is a reasonably priced 'turo-turo' restaurant, partly open-air, which sometimes has good munggo (bean) soup. It is open daily around the clock.Myrna's, in M H del Pilar St, Ermita, is a typical, simple Filipino restaurant. It serves good bangus (milkfish) and is crowded at meal times. It is open Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 11.30 pm.
The Coffee Tree, on the corner ofMabini and R Solas streets, has good Filipino food and a cheap American breakfast. It is open Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 10.30 pm.
Mabini House in Mabini St, Ermita, serves Filipino and Chinese food, with good rice and noodle dishes. It is open daily from 7 am to 10 pm.
Calle 5 in Mabini St, Ermita, is a big open-air restaurant which has good squid. There is live music in the evenings. It is open daily from 8 am to 3 am.
The Harbour View in South Blvd., of Rizal Park, right where the harbour trip starts, is a pleasant place by the waterfront to watch the sunset and catch a fresh breez« while having a beer and enjoying good Filipino food like sinigang (vegetable soup) or bangus. It's open Monday to Saturday from 10 to 2 am and Sunday from 10 am to midnight.
The Seaside Market in Roxas Blvd., Baclaran (near Baclaran Church), is a real market where you can buy freshly caught fish and have it prepared cheaply at the little adjoining restaurants. It is open all hours.
At Leo's, on the corner of Roxas Blvd. and Dapitan St, you can eat a la carte or choose your fish and have it prepared as you wish. It is open daily all hours.
The Seafood Market in J Bocobo St, Ermita, is relatively costly, but is a good seafood restaurant. It's almost like a real market: guests do their own selecting and then take their filled baskets to the cooks to be prepared as they wish. It is especially busy at night but the waiting time is usually short. You can round off the menu with coffee and cakes at the Cafe Alps next door. There is another Seafood Market in Makati Ave, Makati. It is open daily from 10 am to midnight.
Rol's Ihaio Ihaiv in M H del Pilar St, Ermita, is an open-air seafood restaurant with a popular beer garden right alongside. It is open daily from 8 am to 1 am.
Barrio Fiesta in J Bocobo St, Ermita, is a good, medium-priced restaurant with branches all over the country. It has an extensive menu with specialities like crispy pata and kare-kare (stew). It is open daily from 8 am to 1 am.
There is another Barrio Fiesta in Makati Ave, Makati.
The Bulwagang Pili-pino on the corner of Arkansas St and Maria Orosa St, Ermita, is another good Filipino restaurant, open daily from 9 am to 11 pm.
Palais daan in Adriatico St, Malate, you can get good Filipino dishes and seafood. It is open daily from 10 am to 1 am.
The Aristocrat, on the corner ofRoxas Blvd and San Andres St, Malate, is a big,medium-priced restaurant. It is very popular with local people and the most popular of the six Aristocrat restaurants in Metro Manila. It is open 24 hours a day all week.
Josephine's in Roxas Blvd, Pasay City is a well-known and popular seafood restaurant with a lot of choice and live combo music in the evenings. It is open daily from 9 am to midnight.
Nandau on the corner ofRoxas Blvd and Lourdes St, Pasay City is an excellent seafood restaurant which specialises in food from the province of Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao-blue marlin, for example. It is open daily from 11 am to 11 pm.
The Patio Mequeni in Remedies St, Malate, is a pleasant, simply furnished restaurant that specialises in dishes from Pampanga Province. It is open Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm and from 6 pm to midnight.
At the Kamayan Restaurant in Padre Faura, Ermita, you can eat with your fingers in true Filipino style. There is a wide range of dishes from all over the Philippines. It is open daily from 11 am to 2 pm and from 5 to 10 pm.
Aling Asiang in the Greenbelt Square, Makati, is a well-run speciality restaurant with authentic dishes from various provinces. It is open from 11 am to 11 pm daily.
Ang Bistro sa Remedies, on the corner of Adriatico and Remedios streets, Malate, is an elegant restaurant serving special dishes from Pampanga Province. It is open from 11 am to 2 pm and from 6 pm to midnight daily.
Manila Cuisine
Metro Manila's restaurants with their impressive diversity of cuisines and prices tempt many a gourmets. The Filipino cuisine restaurants with an amazingly wide range of island flavours attract visitors from all over the world. Asian restaurants, Italian spaghetti houses,bistros, patisseries, stea houses diners, seafoo grilles and authenti Chinese and Japanese restaurants are found scattered around Ermitc Jynter Street, Roxa Blvd., Makati Avenut Makati, Pasong Tarn Pastry Road and Quezoi city patronage.
Transport To Manila Environs
To THE BATAN ISLANDS:
For air travel from Manila to Basco via Laoag there is a PAL flight on Thursday and Sunday. On Monday, Wednesday and Saturday flights go via Tuguegarao.
To BOHOL:
Aerolift flies daily from Manila to Tagbilaran; PAL flies from Manila to Tagbilaran on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The William Lines' MV Misamis Occidental boat leaves Manila on Friday at 9 am for Tagbilaran via Dumaguete on Negros, taking 36 hours.
To CATANDUANES:
PAL flies daily from Manila to Virac and from Legaspi to The MV Virac or the MV Antipolo boat leaves Tabaco daily for Virac at 11 am, taking three hours or more.
To CEBU:
PAL and Aerolift both have daily flights from Manila to Cebu City; PAL also has daily flight from Legaspi to Cebu City. Several vessels run between Manila and Cebu City. The Sweet Lines, MV Sweet Baby departs on Sunday at noon and on Thursday at 9 am, taking 22 hours. The William Lines' MV Dona Virginia leaves on Sunday at 10 am and Wednesday at 8 pm, taking 20 hours. The Sulpicio Lines' MV Davao Princess leaves on Sunday at 10 am, taking 23 hours, while their MV Filipina Princess leaves on Tuesday at 10 am and Friday at 8 pm, taking 21 hours.
To LEYTE:
Aerolift has flights on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from Manila to Ormoc. PAL has daily flights from Manila to Tacloban.Air-con Philtranco buses leave Manila daily at 7 am and 5 pm for Tacloban. The travelling time including the ferry trip from Matnog to San Isidro is 25 hours. It is possible to pick up these buses on the way-in Legaspi, for instance, at 3 am or 5 pm—if seats are available, but they seldom are. The Sulpicio Lines' MV Cebu Princess boat leaves Manila on Friday at 10 am for Ormoc via Masbate and Calbayog, taking 45 hours. The William Lines' MV Tacloban City boat leaves on Monday at 1 pm for Tacloban via Catbalogan and on Friday for Tacloban direct. The time taken (direct) is 24 hours.
To LUBANG :
Air Pacific Airways has flights from Manila to Lubang daily and Aerolift has flights on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The William Lines' MV Edward boat leaves Manila for Tilik on Friday at noon, taking seven hours. The Asuncion Shipping Lines' MV Asuncion X boat leaves Manila for Tilik on Saturday at 10 pm, taking eight hours, and their MV Catalyn A boat leaves Manila for Tilik on Tuesday at 10 pm, taking eight hours.
To MARINDUQUE:
PAL has daily flights from Manila to Marinduque. There is one ship a day from Lucena to Balanacan. Departure time varies as it is dependent upon the tides, but is usually around 10 am. Passengers are taken by outrigger boats out to the ship, which is anchored off the coast. The trip takes four hours. There is a BLTB bus from Manila to Lucena which goes directly to the wharf. BLTB (Tel: 833550) can give you the departure time of the bus and probably the sailing time of the ship as well.
There is also one ship a day from Lucena to Buyabod, the port for Santa Cruz, which takes five hours. The situation about sailing times is the same as for the ship going to Balanacan.
To MASBATE:
PAL has daily flights from Manila to Masbate and from Legaspi to Masbate on
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Sulpicio Lines' MV Cebu Princess boat leaves Manila for Masbate at 10 am on Friday. It takes 17 hours. The William Lines' MV Cebu City boat leaves Manila for Masbate on Saturday at midnight, taking 16 hours.
From Bulan there is one boat daily leaving at noon and taking four hours. There may possibly be a second boat.
To MINDANAO:
From Manila, PAL has daily flights to Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao and Zamboanga, and flights on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday to Butuan.
AeVolift has daily flights from Manila to Dipolog, flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday to Surigao and flights on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to Iligan.
Air-con Philtranco buses run daily from Manila to Davao, leaving at 7 am and 5 pm. Travelling time including the ferry from Matnog to San Isidro and from Liloan to Surigao is 45 hours. It is possible to pick up the bus on the way at Legaspi, for example, at 3 am or 5 pm—if seats are available (but they seldom are).
To NEGROS:
PAL has daily flights from Manila to Bacolod and Dumaguete. There are three Negros navigation lines ships each week from Manila to Bacolod. The MV Don Claudio boat sails on Sunday at 9 am, taking 24 hours. The MV Don Julio boat leaves on Tuesday at 10 am, taking 21 hours. The MV Santa Maria leaves on Friday at 2 pm and takes 28 hours, going via Roxas on Panay.From Manila to Dumaguete, the Sulpicio Lines' MV Dipolog Princess sails on Wednesday at midnight and takes 30 hours; the William Lines' MV Misamis Occidental goes on Friday at 9 am, also taking 30 hours.
To MINDORO:
Pacific Airways has daily flights from Manila to Calapan. PAL has daily flights from Manila to Mamburao and San Jose.A thorough trip from Manila to Puerto Galera starts from the Sundowner Hotel in Mabini St, Ermita, daily at 9 am. The air-con bus goes to Batangas to the MB Sikat II which leaves at noon and arrives in Puerto Galera at 2.30 pm. Bookings and tickets (P 180) are arranged at the Sundowner Hotel. Buses from Manila to Batangas leave the Lawton and BLTB bus terminals regularly.Two boats go daily from Batangas to Calapan, at 5 pm and 6 pm, taking three hours. You can catch a jeepney from Calapan to Puerto Galera the next morning, taking two hours.
Manila Tours
For a quick and cheap overview of Manila one can organise something for oneself. One can travel in the air-con Love Buses goine in all possible directions within the city; from M H del Pilar Street in Ermita, past Ayala Museum to the Makati Commercial Centre termenies. There is another Love Bus from the Commercial Centre to Cubao in Quezon City. From the Araneta Centre in Cubao one can take another Love Bus upto Quiapo Church, past numerous ministries and offices. There is yet atiother suggested tour: using a variety of public transport to go through Tondo, Binodo and Chinatown.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Transport in Manila
Bus
Around Manila, city buses only display their final destination on the sign board, in the front, which can be a large complex like the NAIA, a street name like Ayala (for Ayala Ave in Makati) or a whole suburb like Quiapo (north of Pasig River). The fare is 75 centavos for the first four km and 25 centavos for every km after that. At the end of Rizal Ave Extension there is a statue of Andres Bonifacio, known as the Monumento, a very popular destination and stop for jeepneys and buses. The air-con Love Buses are very popular in Manila. They are blue with red hearts. They operate on several main routes and charge a flat rate of P 8.50. Have small change at hand as bus drivers usually cannot change large notes. The Escolta-Ayala/Medical Centre bus is a useful one for tourists. The Love Bus goes from the Calle Escolta (Binondo/Santa Cruz) through Ermita (M H del Pilar St) to Makati (the embassies) and the Makati Commercial Centre. It returns through Mabini St. in Ermita. There are no fixed stops on the way. One must not throw the ticket away, as there are frequent inspections.
Train
The Metro Rail LRT (Light Rail Transit) is an overhead railway which runs on concrete pylons several metres high, linking the suburbs of Caloocan City and Pasay City. The line runs from North Terminal (Monumento) in Caloocan City, over Rizal Ave to Central Terminal near the Manila City Hall and on over Taft Ave to South Terminal in Baclaran, Pasay City. The fare is a flat rate of P 3.50, irrespective of the number of stations you travel to. Instead of tickets, one has to buy tokens that open the barriers to the platforms. Smoking, eating and drinking are all forbidden both on the platforms and in the trains. Bulky objects which may cause obstruction is not allowed.
The Metro Rail LRT (Light Rail Transit) is an overhead railway which runs on concrete pylons several metres high, linking the suburbs of Caloocan City and Pasay City. The line runs from North Terminal (Monumento) in Caloocan City, over Rizal Ave to Central Terminal near the Manila City Hall and on over Taft Ave to South Terminal in Baclaran, Pasay City. The fare is a flat rate of P 3.50, irrespective of the number of stations you travel to. Instead of tickets, one has to buy tokens that open the barriers to the platforms. Smoking, eating and drinking are all forbidden both on the platforms and in the trains. Bulky objects which may cause obstruction is not allowed.
Taxi
One must always have some change ready when boarding a taxi in Manila, as there's no guarantee that the driver will have any. The flag-down charge is P 2.50 after which it is P 1 for the first 500 metres and PI for each subsequent 250 metres.
Jeepney
One needs to get to know Manila a bit before one can travel through the city by jeepney without problems. Crowding and the limited view make it hard to see where you are going, so a seat by the driver is desirable. Jeepney routes are fixed. Their main streets and stops are shown on the side of the vehicle and mostly on the windscreen as well. For example, jeepneys with the sign Baclaran, Harrison, Santa Cruz, Rizal, Monumento will go from Baclaran in Pasay City through Harrison St. to Harrison Plaza, then down Mabini St, back down M H del Pilar St—both one-way streets—past the City Hall (Lawton), to the suburb of Santa Cruz, then down Rizal Ave and Rizal Ave Extension to Monumento in Caloocan City.
Jeepneys on the north-south route are almost always marked Baclaran or Libertad to show the southern end of their route, both in Pasay City. The northern end could be Monumento (Caloocan City, at the end of the Rizal Ave Extension); Blumentritt (a street in northern Santa Cruz, by the Chinese Hospital and near the Chinese Cemetery); or Divisoria (the Divisoria Market in the suburb of San Nicolas). Jeepneys in Ermita run along M H del Pilar St and Mabini St (those marked Harrison) or Taft Ave (those marked Taft). Jeepneys whose north-eastern destination is shown as 'Project 2', 'Project 3' or 'Project 4' are going to Cubao, while those marked 'Project 6' and 'Project 8' are heading for Quezon City. The fare is 75 centavos for the first four km; most charge P 1.
Self Driving
Traffic in Manila is chaotic and noisy, especially to someone who is used to fairly strict traffic control. There are few bus stops and these are not always used. Buses and jeepneys stop wherever they see a fare to pick up and then taxis of various companies try to get in ahead of them. Horns and hand signals are used most often, brake lights and blinkers rarely, and traffic-lane markings seem to be thought a waste of paints. However, the Filipinos are used to these conditions and there are few accidents— the battered vehicles usually last longer than their appearance would lead you to believe. If one wants a cheap and pleasant form of inner-city public transport, try the Metro rail.
Tours
For a quick and cheap overview of Manila one can organise something for oneself.
One can travel in the air-con Love Buses going in all possible directions within the city; from M H del Pilar Street in Ermita, past Ayala Museum to the Makati Commercial Centre termenies. There is another Love Bus from the Commercial Centre to Cubao in Quezon City. From the Araneta Centre inCubao one can take another Love Bus upto Quiapo Church, past numerous ministries and offices.There is yet another suggested tour: using a variety of public transport to go through Tondo, Binodo and Chinatown.
Around Manila, city buses only display their final destination on the sign board, in the front, which can be a large complex like the NAIA, a street name like Ayala (for Ayala Ave in Makati) or a whole suburb like Quiapo (north of Pasig River). The fare is 75 centavos for the first four km and 25 centavos for every km after that. At the end of Rizal Ave Extension there is a statue of Andres Bonifacio, known as the Monumento, a very popular destination and stop for jeepneys and buses. The air-con Love Buses are very popular in Manila. They are blue with red hearts. They operate on several main routes and charge a flat rate of P 8.50. Have small change at hand as bus drivers usually cannot change large notes. The Escolta-Ayala/Medical Centre bus is a useful one for tourists. The Love Bus goes from the Calle Escolta (Binondo/Santa Cruz) through Ermita (M H del Pilar St) to Makati (the embassies) and the Makati Commercial Centre. It returns through Mabini St. in Ermita. There are no fixed stops on the way. One must not throw the ticket away, as there are frequent inspections.
Train
The Metro Rail LRT (Light Rail Transit) is an overhead railway which runs on concrete pylons several metres high, linking the suburbs of Caloocan City and Pasay City. The line runs from North Terminal (Monumento) in Caloocan City, over Rizal Ave to Central Terminal near the Manila City Hall and on over Taft Ave to South Terminal in Baclaran, Pasay City. The fare is a flat rate of P 3.50, irrespective of the number of stations you travel to. Instead of tickets, one has to buy tokens that open the barriers to the platforms. Smoking, eating and drinking are all forbidden both on the platforms and in the trains. Bulky objects which may cause obstruction is not allowed.
The Metro Rail LRT (Light Rail Transit) is an overhead railway which runs on concrete pylons several metres high, linking the suburbs of Caloocan City and Pasay City. The line runs from North Terminal (Monumento) in Caloocan City, over Rizal Ave to Central Terminal near the Manila City Hall and on over Taft Ave to South Terminal in Baclaran, Pasay City. The fare is a flat rate of P 3.50, irrespective of the number of stations you travel to. Instead of tickets, one has to buy tokens that open the barriers to the platforms. Smoking, eating and drinking are all forbidden both on the platforms and in the trains. Bulky objects which may cause obstruction is not allowed.
Taxi
One must always have some change ready when boarding a taxi in Manila, as there's no guarantee that the driver will have any. The flag-down charge is P 2.50 after which it is P 1 for the first 500 metres and PI for each subsequent 250 metres.
Jeepney
One needs to get to know Manila a bit before one can travel through the city by jeepney without problems. Crowding and the limited view make it hard to see where you are going, so a seat by the driver is desirable. Jeepney routes are fixed. Their main streets and stops are shown on the side of the vehicle and mostly on the windscreen as well. For example, jeepneys with the sign Baclaran, Harrison, Santa Cruz, Rizal, Monumento will go from Baclaran in Pasay City through Harrison St. to Harrison Plaza, then down Mabini St, back down M H del Pilar St—both one-way streets—past the City Hall (Lawton), to the suburb of Santa Cruz, then down Rizal Ave and Rizal Ave Extension to Monumento in Caloocan City.
Jeepneys on the north-south route are almost always marked Baclaran or Libertad to show the southern end of their route, both in Pasay City. The northern end could be Monumento (Caloocan City, at the end of the Rizal Ave Extension); Blumentritt (a street in northern Santa Cruz, by the Chinese Hospital and near the Chinese Cemetery); or Divisoria (the Divisoria Market in the suburb of San Nicolas). Jeepneys in Ermita run along M H del Pilar St and Mabini St (those marked Harrison) or Taft Ave (those marked Taft). Jeepneys whose north-eastern destination is shown as 'Project 2', 'Project 3' or 'Project 4' are going to Cubao, while those marked 'Project 6' and 'Project 8' are heading for Quezon City. The fare is 75 centavos for the first four km; most charge P 1.
Self Driving
Traffic in Manila is chaotic and noisy, especially to someone who is used to fairly strict traffic control. There are few bus stops and these are not always used. Buses and jeepneys stop wherever they see a fare to pick up and then taxis of various companies try to get in ahead of them. Horns and hand signals are used most often, brake lights and blinkers rarely, and traffic-lane markings seem to be thought a waste of paints. However, the Filipinos are used to these conditions and there are few accidents— the battered vehicles usually last longer than their appearance would lead you to believe. If one wants a cheap and pleasant form of inner-city public transport, try the Metro rail.
Tours
For a quick and cheap overview of Manila one can organise something for oneself.
One can travel in the air-con Love Buses going in all possible directions within the city; from M H del Pilar Street in Ermita, past Ayala Museum to the Makati Commercial Centre termenies. There is another Love Bus from the Commercial Centre to Cubao in Quezon City. From the Araneta Centre inCubao one can take another Love Bus upto Quiapo Church, past numerous ministries and offices.There is yet another suggested tour: using a variety of public transport to go through Tondo, Binodo and Chinatown.
Philippines Festivals - Festivals in Philippines
Religion governs most of Singapore's traditional festivals, which are as varied as the multicultural origins of its people. Some festivals are unique to Singapore and Malaysia, while other celebrations, which are also celebrated in Asian countries where they originated, have changed beyond recognition. Most festivals have shed their religious garb to do a secular carnival appearance. The festivals are listed here in the order in which they come depending on the year.
NEW YEAR'S DAY (January)
Most hotels and restaurants and night clubs hold elaborate New Year's Eve dinners with live entertainment. The first of January is a public holiday and offers good opportunity to sleep off the festivities of the night before. The New Year's show produced by the local television is fun too.
PONGAL (January)
The winter harvest festival on Pongal is celebrated in the state of Tamil Nadu in India, on the first day of the month of Thai. This festival falls usually around mid-January, marking the end of the rains and the onset of spring. On Bogh the day before Pongal, bonfires are set up and old clothes and old clay cooking pots are burned in it. On the actual day, people wear new clothes and decorate their homes with strings of fresh mango leaves and decorative patterns or kolam on their doorsteps.
The Pongal, (a dish prepared from newly gathered rice cooked with cashew nuts, butter, peas, milk and raisins) is cooked on this day in a new pot over a stove built over a Kolam with a sun sign. The Pongal is allowed to boil over signifying abundance in the forthcoming year. In Singapore, throngs of Tamilians are seen around the Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road.
KITE FESTIVAL (January)
Organised by the Singapore Kite Association it is held annually in January. The
location is not fixed, it varies year to year.
THAI PUSAM (January)
This is a Hindu Festival, celebrated by the Tamils in honour of Lord Subramanium or Murugan. Men wearing huge steel arches orKavadi, adorned with peacock feathers and flowers, and taking part in a number of penintence ceremonies, walk in a procession from the Sri Perumal Temple to the Chettiar Tank Road Temple. Families gather for special meals and it is customary for older people to give money in bright red packets called hongbao to children. The red colour signifies luck for both the giver and the receiver.
Preparations for the festival begin one month in advance. Chinatown shops bear a festive look. Waxed duck, sausages and other seasonal delicacies such as mandarin oranges, potted chrysanthemums, melon seeds and sweets are some of the traditional purchases. Besides the fun and frolic, this is also the time to settle debts and paying of bills and spring cleaning as it is considered bad luck to enter the new year with something hanging over from the old.
CHINESE NEW YEAR (January /February)
This is the most important time in the year and is a two-day public holiday. Origin of this festival dates back to a legend about a village where the mysterious disappearance of people became a cause for serious concern. It was believed that these disappearance were connected with a monster whose movements were dictated by the lunar cycles. Houses were lit up and various objects painted red were hung outside the house to ward off the monster. According to the legend this trick worked and no-one disappeared. The villagers celebrated and prayed and this practice continues to date.
The Chinese New Year is mainly a family reunion occasion. The two-day holiday culminates with iheChingay parade which takes place at Orchand Road. This is a spectacular parade which includes, a vintage car procession, Malay, Indian, Filipino and Morris dancesH nursery rhymes and cartoon characters in choreographed movements, demonstrations by German shepherd dogs, stilt walkers, lion and dragon dancers, flag-dancers, acrobats and a flotilla of decorated floats wending its way through the city.
This parade is held on the first Sunday after the Chinese New Year's Day.
MONKEY GOD'S FEAST
A huge rock atop the Huo Guoshan mountain, is believed to have given birth to a stone, which the wind transformed into a stone monkey. This monkey is believed to have come to life and eventually became the king of monkeys. The Monkey God is renowned for his bravery in protecting his master, a pilgrim monk, sent by the Tang dynasty emperor to collect Buddhist sutras from India. The feast of the Monkey God who is believed to assume 72 different forms and to cure the sick is held twice a year at the Monkey God Temple in Eng Hoon Street near SengPoh Market Later there is a dramatic procession of people who slash themselves, as if possessed, with blades and distribute paper charms.
QING MING (April)
It is the Chinese equivalent of All Soul's Day, celebrated by the filial in honour of their ancestors. It is a family event, where the entire family visits the cemetery, cleans the ancestral graves, and offers food and joss sticks at the graveside.
SONGKRAN (April)
This Thai festival celebrated around 13th-15th April, involves bathing of religious icons and having a good time throwing water at each other.In Singapore this Thai New Year festival has been adopted by the Big Splash Aquatic Sports Complex located at East Coast Park.
BIRTHDAY OF THE THIRD PRINCE (April)
Nezha's birthday is celebrated on the eighth and ninth of the fourth moon. This child deity, depicted to be bearing a magic bracelet and sword with wind and fire wheels at his feet, has a temple dedicated to him near the junction of Clarke street and North Boat Quay.
Legend recounts that, before he was born, Nezha's mother had a premonition that she would bear the son of a unicorn. The third prince grew to be 6 ft. tall at the age of seven itself. It is believed that he accidently killed the Dragon King's son, and in order to save his parents from the wrath of the king, he gave himself up to him, and stripped his flesh to bone in penitence. However, the Dragon King recreated him from the leaves of the lotus and the stalks of the water lily, taught him martial arts and equipped him with the wheels of wind and fire.
RAMADAN (April)
The fasting month of Ramadan is also the feasting month. Muslims abstain from food and drink between dawn and dusk throughout the month. Stalls are set up near mosques around Bussorah street near the Sultan Mosque, to sell cooked food for breaking of the fast. These provide an excellent opportunity to try out Malay delicacies. Communal meals of rice porridge called bubur kambul are also offered free at the mosques. This period culminates in theHari Raya.
INDEPENDANCE DAY (12th June)
A national holiday, displaying age old military celebrated with military equipment and regalia, parades and processions.
FEAST OF SAN JUAN BAUTISTA (24th June)
In San Juan, Manila, the deeds of the Baptist St John are re-enacted. Water is thrown about at each other and even at passing traffic. The focus of attention on this day is a Suckling Pig Parade.
PAGODASAWAWA (1st Sunday in July)
A river procession carrying the Holy Cross of Wawa in the pagoda boat is the highlight of the festival. The boat travels from around Bocaue, 30 km north of Manila.
PATEROS RIVER FIESTA (29th July)
Pateros, a suburb of Manila, is a centre of duck breeding. The fiesta is in memory of the killing of a legendry crocodile that threatened the existence of the balut (duck) suppliers.
MASSKARA FESTIVAL (19th October)
The largest of the Negro festivals, it is marked by street dances masquarades etc.
UNDAS (ALL SAINT'S DAY) (1st November)
Families get together at the cemetary, offering prayers, candles, flowers and incense
sticks for the peace of their ancestors. It is a national holiday.
BONIFACIO DAY (30th November)
A national holiday in tribute to Filipino war heroes, more specifically Andres Bonifacio, who headed the Katipunam revolutionary movement against the Spanish.
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (8th December)
The whole day long of feasting culminates in a boat procession held at night on the waters of Malabon, northwest of Metro Manila.
SIMBANG GABI (16th-25th December)
Come November, the singing of Christmas carols, commences all over the country, however, officially the Christmas season begins on 16th December. Filipinos go to night masses called simbang gabi, as per traditions.
CHRISTMAS (25th December)
Awaited with great excitement by Christians all over the world, Christmas is more of a family scene festival here. There are elaborate family reunion, dinners and exchanging of gifts.
HOLY INNOCENTS' DAY (28th December)
Some what similar to the April Fool's Day in the west, the Filipinos try to pull a trick on one another on this day.
RIZAL DAY (30th December)
It is a national holiday marked with street parades in honour of Dr Jose Rizal, the national hero, who on this day in 1896 was executed by the Spaniards. National flags are lowered to half mast on this day, as a mark of respect.
NEW YEAR'S DAY (January)
Most hotels and restaurants and night clubs hold elaborate New Year's Eve dinners with live entertainment. The first of January is a public holiday and offers good opportunity to sleep off the festivities of the night before. The New Year's show produced by the local television is fun too.
PONGAL (January)
The winter harvest festival on Pongal is celebrated in the state of Tamil Nadu in India, on the first day of the month of Thai. This festival falls usually around mid-January, marking the end of the rains and the onset of spring. On Bogh the day before Pongal, bonfires are set up and old clothes and old clay cooking pots are burned in it. On the actual day, people wear new clothes and decorate their homes with strings of fresh mango leaves and decorative patterns or kolam on their doorsteps.
The Pongal, (a dish prepared from newly gathered rice cooked with cashew nuts, butter, peas, milk and raisins) is cooked on this day in a new pot over a stove built over a Kolam with a sun sign. The Pongal is allowed to boil over signifying abundance in the forthcoming year. In Singapore, throngs of Tamilians are seen around the Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road.
KITE FESTIVAL (January)
Organised by the Singapore Kite Association it is held annually in January. The
location is not fixed, it varies year to year.
THAI PUSAM (January)
This is a Hindu Festival, celebrated by the Tamils in honour of Lord Subramanium or Murugan. Men wearing huge steel arches orKavadi, adorned with peacock feathers and flowers, and taking part in a number of penintence ceremonies, walk in a procession from the Sri Perumal Temple to the Chettiar Tank Road Temple. Families gather for special meals and it is customary for older people to give money in bright red packets called hongbao to children. The red colour signifies luck for both the giver and the receiver.
Preparations for the festival begin one month in advance. Chinatown shops bear a festive look. Waxed duck, sausages and other seasonal delicacies such as mandarin oranges, potted chrysanthemums, melon seeds and sweets are some of the traditional purchases. Besides the fun and frolic, this is also the time to settle debts and paying of bills and spring cleaning as it is considered bad luck to enter the new year with something hanging over from the old.
CHINESE NEW YEAR (January /February)
This is the most important time in the year and is a two-day public holiday. Origin of this festival dates back to a legend about a village where the mysterious disappearance of people became a cause for serious concern. It was believed that these disappearance were connected with a monster whose movements were dictated by the lunar cycles. Houses were lit up and various objects painted red were hung outside the house to ward off the monster. According to the legend this trick worked and no-one disappeared. The villagers celebrated and prayed and this practice continues to date.
The Chinese New Year is mainly a family reunion occasion. The two-day holiday culminates with iheChingay parade which takes place at Orchand Road. This is a spectacular parade which includes, a vintage car procession, Malay, Indian, Filipino and Morris dancesH nursery rhymes and cartoon characters in choreographed movements, demonstrations by German shepherd dogs, stilt walkers, lion and dragon dancers, flag-dancers, acrobats and a flotilla of decorated floats wending its way through the city.
This parade is held on the first Sunday after the Chinese New Year's Day.
MONKEY GOD'S FEAST
A huge rock atop the Huo Guoshan mountain, is believed to have given birth to a stone, which the wind transformed into a stone monkey. This monkey is believed to have come to life and eventually became the king of monkeys. The Monkey God is renowned for his bravery in protecting his master, a pilgrim monk, sent by the Tang dynasty emperor to collect Buddhist sutras from India. The feast of the Monkey God who is believed to assume 72 different forms and to cure the sick is held twice a year at the Monkey God Temple in Eng Hoon Street near SengPoh Market Later there is a dramatic procession of people who slash themselves, as if possessed, with blades and distribute paper charms.
QING MING (April)
It is the Chinese equivalent of All Soul's Day, celebrated by the filial in honour of their ancestors. It is a family event, where the entire family visits the cemetery, cleans the ancestral graves, and offers food and joss sticks at the graveside.
SONGKRAN (April)
This Thai festival celebrated around 13th-15th April, involves bathing of religious icons and having a good time throwing water at each other.In Singapore this Thai New Year festival has been adopted by the Big Splash Aquatic Sports Complex located at East Coast Park.
BIRTHDAY OF THE THIRD PRINCE (April)
Nezha's birthday is celebrated on the eighth and ninth of the fourth moon. This child deity, depicted to be bearing a magic bracelet and sword with wind and fire wheels at his feet, has a temple dedicated to him near the junction of Clarke street and North Boat Quay.
Legend recounts that, before he was born, Nezha's mother had a premonition that she would bear the son of a unicorn. The third prince grew to be 6 ft. tall at the age of seven itself. It is believed that he accidently killed the Dragon King's son, and in order to save his parents from the wrath of the king, he gave himself up to him, and stripped his flesh to bone in penitence. However, the Dragon King recreated him from the leaves of the lotus and the stalks of the water lily, taught him martial arts and equipped him with the wheels of wind and fire.
RAMADAN (April)
The fasting month of Ramadan is also the feasting month. Muslims abstain from food and drink between dawn and dusk throughout the month. Stalls are set up near mosques around Bussorah street near the Sultan Mosque, to sell cooked food for breaking of the fast. These provide an excellent opportunity to try out Malay delicacies. Communal meals of rice porridge called bubur kambul are also offered free at the mosques. This period culminates in theHari Raya.
INDEPENDANCE DAY (12th June)
A national holiday, displaying age old military celebrated with military equipment and regalia, parades and processions.
FEAST OF SAN JUAN BAUTISTA (24th June)
In San Juan, Manila, the deeds of the Baptist St John are re-enacted. Water is thrown about at each other and even at passing traffic. The focus of attention on this day is a Suckling Pig Parade.
PAGODASAWAWA (1st Sunday in July)
A river procession carrying the Holy Cross of Wawa in the pagoda boat is the highlight of the festival. The boat travels from around Bocaue, 30 km north of Manila.
PATEROS RIVER FIESTA (29th July)
Pateros, a suburb of Manila, is a centre of duck breeding. The fiesta is in memory of the killing of a legendry crocodile that threatened the existence of the balut (duck) suppliers.
MASSKARA FESTIVAL (19th October)
The largest of the Negro festivals, it is marked by street dances masquarades etc.
UNDAS (ALL SAINT'S DAY) (1st November)
Families get together at the cemetary, offering prayers, candles, flowers and incense
sticks for the peace of their ancestors. It is a national holiday.
BONIFACIO DAY (30th November)
A national holiday in tribute to Filipino war heroes, more specifically Andres Bonifacio, who headed the Katipunam revolutionary movement against the Spanish.
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (8th December)
The whole day long of feasting culminates in a boat procession held at night on the waters of Malabon, northwest of Metro Manila.
SIMBANG GABI (16th-25th December)
Come November, the singing of Christmas carols, commences all over the country, however, officially the Christmas season begins on 16th December. Filipinos go to night masses called simbang gabi, as per traditions.
CHRISTMAS (25th December)
Awaited with great excitement by Christians all over the world, Christmas is more of a family scene festival here. There are elaborate family reunion, dinners and exchanging of gifts.
HOLY INNOCENTS' DAY (28th December)
Some what similar to the April Fool's Day in the west, the Filipinos try to pull a trick on one another on this day.
RIZAL DAY (30th December)
It is a national holiday marked with street parades in honour of Dr Jose Rizal, the national hero, who on this day in 1896 was executed by the Spaniards. National flags are lowered to half mast on this day, as a mark of respect.
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