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Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Clark), Pampanga

It was my first time using Diosdado Macapagal International Airport or more known as Clark International Airport (IATA: CRK) on my flight back from Cebú from Sinulog Festival. The first question of a first timer commuter is: How do I get out of the airport? I have been here a few years ago, but just until the waiting area. We walked from CM Recto Highway (near UP Pampanga) and it was a bit far from the airport terminal itself. Given the time constraint (I have work at Manila by 11PM, I arrived Clark at 7PM and Manila is almost a hundred kilometers away!) I have to leave as soon as possible. Now here are some of the options on how to get out of Clark Airport and head on to Angeles or Manila:

Arriving at Clark Airport, getting me baggage

1. Taxi – It is probably the most expensive option of them all. The taxis charge for P400+ or so from the airport terminal to at least Dau Bus Terminal in Mabalacat. If you have some extra cash to shell-out, this is the most convenient.
2. Bus – There is a direct bus trip from Clark Airport to Manila (Cubao-Pasay) via EDSA non-stop. There is a counter at the arrival area, you can just buy your tickets from there. By far this is the most convenient for Manila-bound passengers since there wouldn’t be any hassle of stopping over and picking-up passengers. The fare though is double the price of an air-conditioned bus bound for Manila from Dau, around PhP300.00 (almost US$7.00). Yet I do recommend this for those who aren’t that cash-strapped and wanted to go to Manila ASAP.
3. Aircon jeepney + bus for Manila or wherever – For PhP50.00 (almost US$1.00), you can manage to get out of Clark Airport through an air-conditioned jeepneys and have you dropped either at SM City Clark, Main Gate, Balibago Angeles City or ultimately Dau Bus Terminal at Mabalacat if you are bound for Manila or northern cities such as Baguio or Vigan. This is the best option for cash strapped passengers like I was. Dau to Manila on an airconditioned bus costs around PhP150.00 (US$3.00).

And if Manila or any northern or central Luzon destination is your ultimate place to go, Dau Bus Terminal in the town of Mabalacat, Pampanga is the hub for most bus companies. You can almost virtually go anywhere through here for any Central Luzon destination, Baguio or Ilocandia.

At Clark Airport's tarmac

Given that Clark is the next big thing in aviation in the Philippines, I wish the government would now start improving the public transport system in this area. The controversial North Rail and NLEX may be a great help yet Clark is still far for most Metro Manileños. I think Clark is in a good start.

The New Clark International Airport Terminal--still not open

And as for me, looks like I’ll be using Clark in a few months time. Given that it is the hub for low-cost carriers, I’ll give it a try next time. This time, the question is: “How do I get there?”

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Great news for Cavite residents who study or work in the City of Manila, Lawton-Cavite-bound buses are back! Yes, you heard it right!

The City Government of Manila has now allowed the entry of provincial buses coming from Cavite (Dasmariñas line, Tagaytay line, Mendez-Nuñez line, Ternate/Naic line) at Taft Avenue, all the way to Lawton (Park and Ride) from 5 in the afternoon to 6 in the morning, the next day. Although limited, the Cavite-bound buses are allowed only until Quirino LRT Station before going back to Cavite from 6AM to 5PM, everyday.

No need to wait in chaotic Buendia-Pasay!

This is still subject to changes. Better ask the bus conductors or the Manila traffic officers for more information.

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To Lucban!

Well, I guess I was excited back then. It was my first time going to Lucban for Pahiyas Festival. The feast that I could only see on telly or on books. I’ve seen Sinulog, Dinagyang and Masskara for countless times already but this crowning jewel of Quezon Province’s feasts is something that I would look forward into. Such colourful and attractive feast has made me like a bee, attracted to the colour of the kipings and revelry. It was my first time going there and I’ll be commuting. May 15 is a notorious date to any commuter or motorist going south, as horrific stories of traffic jams linger. But I dared!

Which is which?

I called in the Quezon Provincial Tourism Office and sought advise on what’s the best route going to Lucban. My friends from Quezon and the tourism people have a unanimous answer: Go Laguna-Pagsanjan instead!

Here’s why:

The Notorious Traffic at Lucban

1. We all know that Lucban is in Quezon Province and the main route is through Maharlika Highway which passes through San Pablo City in Laguna and towns of Tiaong, Sariyaya, Candelaria and of course Lucena City, the kabisera. Well, they’ve warned me of the infamous traffic that said to have spanned all the way to Laguna (San Pablo). Reason: Tiaong and Sariyaya have their own version of Pahiyas fiesta. Expect traffic that may last for hours for the whole day. Commuters and motorists are advised to avoid the Maharlika Highway route unless visiting the affected towns or necessary. Much better if mapa-aga na lang kayo pumunta ng Bicol o Lucena.
2. The Laguna Route, which passes by Santa Cruz and Pagsanjan, is the easiest and fastest way to go to Lucban. Besides that there are no feasts in this side, the distance to Manila is much closer. It only takes an hour or less to travel by jeepney from Santa Cruz to Pagsanjan.

So obviously we went on the easier one.

A long and winding road to Pahiyas

Bus Arriving at Santa Cruz Laguna

Travel Log:

• 15 May 2010 | 02:30AM – My friend and I arrived at the Green Star bus terminal at Taft Avenue corner Buendia in Pasay City. It was too early. The guard told us that the first trip leaves the terminal by 3:30AM. So we went to KFC and have our late midnight snack/early breakfast.

Note: There are several bus companies that serve Manila-Santa Cruz route: Green Star (Pasay City terminal/Aircon bus), HM Transport (Cubao Bus Terminal/Aircon bus) and Calamba Megatrans (Alabang Bus Terminal/Ordinary/Non-Air Conditioned bus).

• 15 May 2010 | 03:00AM – The bus is parked and calling in for passengers. Good! We sat comfortably.
• 15 May 2010 | 03:15AM – Whoa! Was there a group booking. A bunch of excursionists went into the bus…At this rate, we’ll be leaving early! The bus is almost full…5 minutes later, the last seat was occupied.
• 15 May 2010 | 03:30AM – We left Pasay and bound for Santa Cruz
• 15 May 2010 | 03:45AM – We have encountered traffic somewhere between Bicutan and Sucat. Skyway construction on-going. We were stuck in the traffic for 30 minutes…ang aga naman ng trapik sa SLEX!
• 15 May 2010 | 04:20AM – We finally made it out of the traffic but saw this huge fire engulfing some houses in Muntinlupa. Only later to find out that it was one of the worst fire disasters in Muntinlupa City.
• 15 May 2010 | 05:00AM – Finally, we reached Calamba City. Ang aga ng trapik dito! The narrow roads and on-going developments (there is a SM mall being constructed near the public market. Good luck for the traffic though).
• 15 May 2010 | 05:30AM – We were in College, Laguna (UPLB junction)
• 15 May 2010 | 05:45AM – We passed by the town of Pila. For the first time, I saw the old houses and heritage buildings in this town. I’m planning to go back here sometime soon.
• 15 May 2010 | 06:15AM – Finally, we reached Santa Cruz. We have to take a ride through a jeepney (a big one) to Lucban. At pila ng bigas ang scenario! The bus stops over at the junction where Lucban-bound jeepneys are parked. Just tell the conductor to advise you to bring you to the jeepney terminal. Most likely, the bus conductor would mention it anyway.

Jeepney bound for Lucban

And those who dared! I wish I was there, hehe!

• 15 May 2010 | 06:20AM – We left Santa Cruz and passed by Pagsanjan. Off we go up in the mountains between Laguna and Quezon Provinces.

Pagsanjan Gate

The Long and Winding Road from Pagsanjan to Lucban

Passing by Pagsanjan Church

• >> Note: Nakakatakot ang daanan! The jeepney was full to the brim, and we have people on the rooftop! The curves were sharp and ravine is just beyond the road gutter!Yet, fear was replaced with appreciation of nature and the sun rising in the east. The air was cool and crisp. May nagpa-andar ba ng aircon? The cool air would remain all the way to Lucban for the rest of the day! Sarap naman! Refreshing!
• 15 May 2010 | 06:40AM – Passed by the town of Cavinti in Laguna

Luisiana Plaza

• 15 May 2010 | 06:50AM – Passed by the town of Luisiana in Laguna (take note of the pronunciation: “Luwisyana”…you might thought its the State of Louisiana in US).

Inside the jeepney

• 15 May 2010 | 07:00AM – Crossed the border of Quezon and Laguna! Yehey! And Mount Banahaw welcomes us!

Bawal na ang Jeepney sa loob ng bayan ng Lucban! Tricycles line up for passengers bound for Lucban's town proper

• 15 May 2010 | 07:15AM – Junction Lucban. Jeepneys are not allowed to enter the town proper. Nagsisimula na! So we rode a tricycle that brought us all the way to San Luis Obispo Parish Church (or Lucban Church). We were just in time for the first activity of the day: The religious procession!

Procession of San Isidro Labrador at Lucban

Its just the start of my Pahiyas de Lucban experience…something that I wouldn’t forget! Mga wala kaming tulog pero nagsisimula pa lang ang araw namin.

Transportation fare:

Okay, for those budget-conscious or just plain cheap, here are the fares:

• Pasay City to Santa Cruz, Laguna (Air-conditioned bus) – PhP149.00 (US$3.00)
• Santa Cruz, Laguna to Lucban, Quezon (jeepney) – PhP45.00 (US$1.00)

More photos here:

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Buses at EDSA Crossing (EDSA-Shaw Blvd Junction), Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Okay, this would be just an advice to those who take a bus in Metro Manila, most especially city operation buses that ply on EDSA…please make sure that the conductor has already gave you the change…sukli, cambio. Or else, face the consequence of inconveniently going to the bus company’s depot which most likely are located in far flung areas and suburbs!

I got that experience last night, Friday the 13^th. After sleeping less than 4 hours, worked for 8 hours and went on an event and watched movies, I was dead tired. My friend and I were bound on the same bus at EDSA Crossing in Mandaluyong. Good thing there was a bus bound for Dasmarias, Cavite! A relief! Since these buses are rare during late night hours. I paid for our fare, that’s about PhP38 per person from Crossing to Imus, Cavite (x2, that’s about a total of PhP76.00) with a PhP500 bill. It’s a no surprise that the conductor didn’t gave me my change by then since they don’t have enough bills for change or sukli. Ayun, nilagyan nya ng pirma nya at P500 para patunay na meron pa syang kailangang bayaran sa akin. And the bus went off to Cavite…and was filled up to the brim in no time! I was so dead tired that I didn’t realized that we’re in Imus, an hour later…just beyond midnight…tapos, pagbaba ko…dun ko narealize, di pa pala naibibigay sa akin ang sukli ko sa P500 ko!!! It’s quite big since its about 424 pesosesoses!!! Dalawa o tatlong araw na halaga na ng allowance ko…without hesitation, I said to myself….”Pupunta ako sa Lunes sa garahe ng bus na yun!”…It was Friday, obviously a weekend, so I have to wait.

Rush Hour Waiting at a No Loading/Unloading Zone in EDSA-Buendia (south bound), Makati City, Philippines

Monday came, I went to their office. I gave the boletas or tickets to the officer in charge. At first they got confused why are there tickets that have different ticket numbers which is out of sequence…kumbaga, may mga tiket na wala sa series ng ticket number ng sinakyan ko na bus…to my mistake, I mixed up older bus tickets! Kaya nagtagal kami…but the issue was resolved as quickly as possible, thank heavens that manong konduktor was there at the garage. He immediately gave me my change and apologized for inconvenience. On my part, nagpasensya na rin ako at pinahirapan ko pa sila mag-trace. At least that was resolved, but I’ve learned my lesson: always be attentive!

And a lesson, you really have to keep your ticket for inspection…and for ease of transaction between you and the bus company.

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EDSA Traffic

A lot of us are taking for granted the sign “Keep Ticket for Inspection” in the buses or even in its tickets. Let’s not be hypocrites here, sinisiksik natin yung tiket kung saan saan o di kaya itatapon na lang kasi parang basura ang mga ito. It’s a hassle but given the nature of buses in Metro Manila which of “come and go situation,” most of them don’t issue those very detailed tickets unlike those who serve on provincial routes. That recycled ticket is the most important thing that you posses upon riding a bus…so keep your tickets until you’ve reached your destination. Here are some of the tips and consequences on keeping or not keeping your bus tickets. It’s in Filipino.

EDSA 102: Keep Your Tickets for Inspection tips and consequences, or else bahala ka sa buhay mo:

1. Laging mapagmasid. Pinapa-alahanan ko po sa mga kababayan ko pong komyuter, na laging maging mapagmasid…hindi lang sa mga walang-hiyang magnanakaw at iswitik sa tabi nyo, pati na rin sa mga kundoktor ng bus na sinasakyan nyo. Sa Kamaynilaan, di nag-iisyu ang mga bus ng mga detalyadong ticket nang tulad sa mga provincial buses, barko o eroplano. Come and go operation kasi sila at ito’y naaangkop sa mando na nasa EDSA.
2. Kung may barya, bayaran mo na lang ng smaller bills o barya. Mas maganda kung mga bente, sinkwenta o barya sinsilyos ang ipambabayad nyo. Lalo na’t sa umaga para wala nang hassle ng sukli. Pero kung wala…basahin ang susunod na tips.
3. Kung walang panukli ang konduktor, pasabi sa kanya na pirmahan nya sa likod (natural na pinipirmahan talaga ng mga kundoktor ang tiket kung wala pa silang panukli) ng tiket.
4. Magpapansin na kay manong konduktor. Kung alam mo nang puno na ang bus at medyo malapit ka na sa destinasyon mo…magsimula ka nang magpapansin sa konduktor. Paalalahanan mo ang kanyang obligasyon sayo na meron pa syang dapat isukli sayo. Huwag kang parating umasa na maalala ka nya, lalo na kung punong-puno ang bus! Napapagod na rin sila sa dami ng pasahero.
5. Kung may kasama ka, sabihin mo sa kanya na iremind ka nya na may sukli ka pang dapat kunin kay manong konduktor.
6. Huwag itapon ang tiket. Simple lang naman ang hinihiling sa inyo ng bus company, huwag itapon para sa inspeksyon…may nakasulat na nga sa tiket na “Keep Ticket for Inspection,” meron pa nyan sa mga naka-paskil sa mga dingding ng bus. Kaya pagbigay sayo ni konduktor, huwag itapon o iipit sa mga kasingit-singitan ng upuan o gawing wrapper ng pinagnguyaang babol gum! Kasi ganito ang mangyayaring scenario kung itatapon mo ang bus ticket mo:
   1. Magbabayad ka uli kung mag-iinspeksyon na ang supervisor ng mga konduktor at nahuli kang walang tiket. Huwag ka nang magtaka kung bakit magbabayad ka ng doble…ang linaw ng nakasulat sa tiket…minsan maliit nga lang!
   2. At kung wala kang tiket at walang inspeksyon na nangyari at may nangyaring masama o di kanais-nais tulad ng di ka nasuklian ng konduktor o aksidente, wala kang patunay na ikaw ay nakasakay sa bus at mahihirapan kang makagawa ng transaksyon sa bus company.

7. At ang pinakaimportante sa lahat…huwag maging tanga o magmukhang tanga! Huwag isisi ang lahat sa konduktor, may kasalanan ka din kumbakit di mo nakuha ang sukli mo. Responsibilidad mo din ang pagsakay sa isang pampublikong sasakyan.

A bus line plying Lawton-Cavite/Batangas

At kung umalis na at di pa naibigay sa’yo ang sukli…just hold and keep your ticket (kung andyan pa ang ticket) at pumunta ka sa garahe nila sa kung sa anong kanayunan pa yan. Karapatan mo din na makuha ang iyong sukli mula sa bus company, basta may patunay lang na may obligasyon sila sa’yo…Dun nyo marerealize na, napakaimportante pala ng tiket sa buhay ng isang commuter!

EDSA-Crossing (EDSA-Shaw Blvd Junction), Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines

We can clamour LTFRB and the bus companies to have their ticketing system upgraded for theirs and our convenience. Konting dagdag lang sa puhunan ng pagbili ng mga kompyuterized na ticketing machines. But as of now, we have to deal what is given to us as of the moment…and as simple as keeping your ticket for possible inspection is as important as riding yourself to your next destination.

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EDSA-Pasay Rotunda

by Jeannette Andrade of Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—The top official of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday said that he would ban passenger jeepneys from plying Edsa with the completion of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 North Extension Project next year.

At the Balitaan sa Tinapayan forum in Manila, LTFRB chairman Alberto Suansing also said that he would reduce the number of passenger buses plying one of the busiest thoroughfares in the metropolis.

The north extension project, which is expected to be completed by January 2010, will connect LRT 1’s Monumento Station to the Metro Rail Transit 3 North Avenue Station.

Suansing explained that since the time of President Ferdinand Marcos, passenger jeepneys have been banned from plying Edsa.

He added that with the completion of the MRT loop all the way to Caloocan City, there would be no need for passenger jeepneys and a reduced demand for passenger buses.

A test-run of the LRT 1 north extension project was expected to be conducted this December, he said.

Meanwhile, a jeepney transport group on Sunday pushed for a 50-centavo hike due to the series of price increases implemented by oil companies.

Pasang Masda president Roberto Martin, who also attended the forum, said his group has already filed a petition with the LTFRB. He asked the public for understanding, citing the refusal of the “Big 3” oil firms—Pilipinas Shell, Chevron Philippines Inc., and Petron Corp.—to allow government agencies to examine their books of account.

Suansing, meanwhile, assured the transport group that he would hold a hearing next month to hear their petition.

News from Inquirer.net, written by Jeannette Andrade of Philippine Daily Inquirer